Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status (I-407)
If you wish to abandon your Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status and relinquish your Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”), you are to file and send the required paperwork and supporting documents directly to USCIS Eastern Forms Center in Williston, Vermont.
If you choose instead to file your paperwork with the U.S. Embassy in Iceland, your application will be processed in the United States where processing times take several months; please note that while your paperwork is in process and until you receive confirmation of your abandonment from USCIS, you will not be eligible to travel under the ESTA program.
To formally abandon your lawful permanent residency please download and complete the Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status (USCIS Form I-407) and applicable instructions.
Supporting Documentation
Please return the following items with your completed and signed I-407:
Lawful Permanent Resident Card (green card) (Form I-551);
Permit to Re-Enter (Form I-327) (only if applicable);
Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative (Form G-28) (only if applicable);
A stamped, self-addressed envelope
(Note: If more than one application is submitted from one family, you only need to provide one envelope).
Do not submit: United States Social Security cards to this office.
Contact the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Rome for information on the return of social security cards.
Individuals who wish to file the I-407 – Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Residency should send their I-407’s directly to the USCIS Eastern Forms Center in Williston, Vermont.
The Form I-407, Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status, should be mailed to the following address:
USCIS Eastern Forms Center
Attn: I-407 Unit
Post Office Box 567
Williston, VT 05495
USA
If individuals have any additional queries relating to the I-407, they will need to contact the USCIS
Special Notes:
It is strongly recommended that you make an electronic copy of the I-407 we return to you (as a *pdf on your computer) so that in the event you lose the paper copy of the I-407; you can always print a new copy.
Whenever you travel to the United States, you will need to make sure you take a copy of the processed I-407 with you to the airport. If you show up at the airport without the processed I-407 and your passport shows that you had previously been admitted as a ‘LPR’ (Lawful permanent resident) or “ARC” (Alien Resident Card); the airlines will most likely not permit you to board the aircraft.
Please also note that once you have abandoned your lawful permanent resident status, you will need to apply online for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (if eligible).
Abandoning your Permanent Resident Card and status does not affect your ability to apply to immigrate to the United States at some future time. However, you will have to begin the process anew and apply through the usual application process.
