Lost or Stolen Green Cards
If you need to travel back home to the United States and your resident alien card ("green card") has been damaged, lost or stolen, you will need to visit the Immigrant Visa Unit in person during our walk-in hours and apply for a Boarding Foil. The Boarding Foil replaces the Transportation Letter formerly used for this purpose. The Boarding Foil will be inserted in your passport and will allow you to board your flight back to the United States.
Applying for a Boarding Foil
In order to apply for a Boarding Foil you must make an appointment with the Immigrant Visa Unit. Please send an e-mail to CopenhagenNIV@state.gov briefly explaining your situation and giving the date of your last departure from the United States, and attach a scanned copy of a completed I-90 form and the bio page/photo page of your valid passport. The I-90 form and instructions for completing the form are freely available on the USCIS website. We will then schedule you to come to the Embassy during our walk in hours and make the application.
When coming to the Embassy to apply for a Boarding Foil, please bring the following items:
- A valid passport (if your passport has also been lost/stolen, you must obtain a new passport or other travel document before seeing us).
- The original completed I-90 form. The I-90 form will be returned to the applicant, and you must apply with USCIS for a replacement card upon your return to the United States.
- A recent passport size photograph.
- Credible evidence of your resident alien status.
- Airline ticket (evidence of travel from and back to the U.S.)
- Self addressed (with a Danish address) envelope with 92 Danish kroner in postage for the return of the passport.
The consular officer must verify that you have maintained your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident in order to issue the Boarding Foil and may ask to see additional documents.
Please see the USCIS website for more information on how to maintain Lawful Permanent Resident Status.
There is no fee to apply for a Boarding Foil. A Boarding Foil is issued for a single entry into the United States and valid for a maximum of 30 days.
Please note that although a Boarding Foil has the same format as a visa, it is not a visa. A Permanent Resident of the United States traveling with a Boarding Foil does not need to present an I-94 form at port of entry. The immigration officer at Port of Entry will verify the Permanent Resident status of the traveler before admitting him or her into the United States.
Return of the Passport and Processing Time
Applicants must bring a self addressed (with a Danish address) envelope with 92 Danish kroner in postage for the return of the passport. Processing time is usually 2 to 4 business days, but can, in some cases, be longer.
How do I replace my Green Card?
-
Can I apply for a replacement card in Copenhagen?
No, You cannot apply for a replacement Green Card or apply to extend the validity of your Green Card at U.S. Embassy Copenhagen.
For information on how to replace your lost/stolen/expired Green Card upon reentering the U.S., please consult the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website for detailed instructions. You will find I-90, the relevant application form under "Forms".