LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENT SERVICES

Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues alien registration cards (I-551) to immigrants who are legally admitted for residence in the United States. Alien registration cards (commonly known as "green cards") can only be issued or replaced in the United States and can never be obtained overseas. A green card is required for re-entry into the United States as a legal permanent resident.

If you left your green card in the U.S., try to arrange for someone to send it to you overseas.

If your green card has been lost or stolen, you may be able to obtain a "transportation letter" valid for one month authorizing a transportation line to carry you to the United States without penalty. To issue a transportation letter we must be satisfied that you hold legal resident status in the United States. Please bring to the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate the following documents:

• evidence of your identity
  
• your airplane tickets
  
• evidence of your U.S. legal resident status (e.g. passport showing admission to the United States as an immigrant)
  
• evidence that you were in the United States within the last 12 months
  
• copy of your report to the police of the card's loss/theft or detailed explanation as to why you do not have your card
  
• $300 or the equivalent in yen
  
• 3 identical passport-style photographs
  

The length of time it will take to process your request will depend on the circumstances of your case and the amount of information you provide. The time require can vary from as little as one hour to several days.

PLEASE NOTE: Requests for transportation letters can only be processed during our normal business hours, never on weekends or evenings.

You may submit a request for a transportation letter at the following times:

• Tokyo Monday thru Friday 8:30 - 2:30
  
• Naha Monday thru Friday 8:30 - 10:30
  
• Osaka