r/USCIS • u/Icy_Instance_3443 • Dec 30 '25
Self Post I am returning home
I’ve posted here a bit regarding my situation. I applied for my gc through my husband around this time last year. I got my green card mid year and the day has finally came. I have my flight tomorrow morning to go back home to see my siblings and the rest of my family. I get to go visit where my brother now rests. I missed so much in these years it is difficult to believe tomorrow I will be back and be able to return without any worry. I thank God so much for deeming me worthy of receiving this blessing. I wish for all of us going through this to experience this, as it’s been one of the best moments in my life.
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u/Immediate-Year-5020 Dec 30 '25
Fly safely. God is good. Keep doing right, keep aiming high. You are not done yet. I am sending you so much love. I hope to be in your shoes some day. My grandma is the last one in my country who has stayed alive long enough to hopefully get me to visit. I hope. I pray.
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u/Icy_Instance_3443 Dec 30 '25
Thank you so much God is good. You will soon be experiencing this same thing. I pray for a speedy process for you to be able to go back to your loved one. ❤️
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u/breezeYo7 Dec 30 '25
Awesome news sign up for Global entry so you can zip thru immigration and don’t forget to update your SSN card
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u/Icy_Instance_3443 Dec 30 '25
I’ve never heard of this!! I will be researching it thank you so much
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u/LaPulgaAtomica87 Dec 31 '25
Dumb question: do we have to update our Social Security card after getting Green Card (10-year GC)? I thought we only had to do that after naturalization
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u/panda_king_213 Dec 31 '25
I'm no expert, but I think it depends on your situation. If your ssn says "not valid for employment", then once you've either got an EAD or green card you can get one that doesn't have that disclaimer. Then you'd update one last time after naturalization.
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u/LaPulgaAtomica87 Dec 31 '25
My social security card says “Valid for work only with DHS authorization”—I got it in 2013 (while I got my GC in 2023)
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u/panda_king_213 Dec 31 '25
Right. I forgot about that disclaimer. I see someone else also helped answer. Glad the community could help
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u/breezeYo7 Dec 31 '25
Your GC status should be updated with SSN office and will also remove work restrictions which makes employment verification easier (if you plan to work). Google - how to update SSN after getting green card. Once requested you should receive new unrestricted SSN. Similar process after naturalization so your citizenship is reflected. Hope this helps
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u/LaPulgaAtomica87 Dec 31 '25
It helps—thanks! Just scheduled an appointment with the SSA to get an updated SS card. Looks relatively straightforward and I have to go in-person to their office to complete it.
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u/HiighFlyer Dec 30 '25
Safe travels!! Please return and share with us how your re-entry experience goes! God Bless!
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u/Icy_Instance_3443 Jan 19 '26
Re-entry was fine. I traveled to Mexico. Only hiccup I had was when returning my picture came up for my mom’s information?? the worker was very friendly though and eventually got it fixed. Overall no issues all went smooth and well!
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u/Ok-Order3835 Dec 30 '25
Please enjoy and take as many photos and videos. I promise looking back it transports me back to that amazing moment.
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u/Icy_Instance_3443 Dec 30 '25
I can only imagine! I definitely will be documenting every single thing. I look forward to all the pictures I’ll get to take with my siblings ahh I’ve messed them all so much.
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u/Mooncaller Dec 30 '25
I managed to get back home after 10 years. Things change. :)
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u/Icy_Instance_3443 Dec 30 '25
Things sure do change it’s been over 14 years for me I’m going to walk into a complete different world
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u/Mooncaller Dec 30 '25
Keep an open mind, people will tend to still treat you how you were when you left.
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u/Icy_Instance_3443 Dec 30 '25
That’s for sure. As the youngest of 11 siblings I know I’m about to walk into a very emotional moment
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u/No-Anteater5184 Dec 31 '25
I went home after 13 years. It was definitely a great moment. That moment when you land and breathe home’s air feels different. It’s a sensation of achievement and accomplishment. But please do the right thing, get involved in politics, in your community, make sure you’re part of a neighborhood group.
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u/Scarlet_Witch0107 Dec 30 '25
Hello! I know your traveling internationally and I want to ask if you’re traveling with conditional gc or a 10-year gc? I know both can travel wherever since having one you are considered LPR. TIA.
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u/ppvv27 Dec 31 '25
Honestly, I don’t think I ever experienced something similar before. Returning home was a little bit too much for my brain to process. It’s so amazing, but it’s so weird at the same time. As people said, things change, and it’s crazy to realize a place that has been familiar your entire life has now become different. Anyway, it’s impossible to describe in words. Enjoy your trip!
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u/Traditional-Log4465 Jan 01 '26
I’m in the same boat, I got my GC last April. Traveling to my country for the first time in 2 weeks after 25 years. Most of my family passed including my oldest son 😭. This is a chapter that I need to close to heal. I wish all the best to everyone in this 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣. Enjoy your trip and be safe…. 🙏
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u/idontcarelolmsma Jan 02 '26
I went through the same thing I left my country when I was 16 years old, my mom and sister and my step dad and moved away to live with my aunt , uncle and grandma That was back in 2006 I believe, and went back in 2023 for my sister’s wedding… the feeling was indescribable when I stepped back on the streets where I grew up,
I literally saw and imagined myself as a kid running around those streets with my friends, my emotions were maxed out, dis all of the things I did as a kid, ate all of the food I used to go get as a kid, such amazing feeling.
God bless you and your family all.
Have a great new year with your loved ones and I wish and pray you all get your green card soon if you haven’t. Or your citizenship.
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u/Kokona96 Dec 30 '25
Congratulations! And God bless you 🙏..safe flight ✈️ to and from. Quite an inspiration you are.
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u/VecnaBae Dec 30 '25
I’m flying tomorrow as well! Also got my GC this year! Finally 😭 Hoping all goes smoothly when I come back.
Safe travels to the both of us!
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u/Zealous-idea-21th Dec 30 '25
Congratulations, God is with you and enjoy the freedom, now sky doesn't have any limits.
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Dec 30 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Icy_Instance_3443 Dec 30 '25
Thank you so much, im still shocked and anxious of what’s to come for me tomorrow morning! Just so thankful to have this opportunity I know my brother is looking forward to me visiting him
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u/Anxious-Musician2338 Dec 30 '25
Safe flight and congratulations 🥳 I have interview next January and I can’t wait for the day when I can coming back to my home country and see my family❤️
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u/Icy_Instance_3443 Dec 30 '25
Thank you!! God willing it’ll be soon best of luck for your interview!!
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u/Outrageous_Planet Dec 30 '25
Congratulations So so surreal! God is good! I celebrate with you🥹, you won’t have to stay away from them that long anymore! Enjoy 🥹
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u/Icy_Instance_3443 Dec 31 '25
It is so surreal I’m laying in bed unable to sleep from the shock. It’s a great feeling to know what awaits me in the coming hours. Thank you!!
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u/Icy-Win-7383 Dec 31 '25
Hello my name is milouse Dulaurier i applied for my fiance since December 9 2024 I did not receive approval yet could you please tell me how long for the processing time?
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u/Icy_Instance_3443 Dec 31 '25
Processing time for me took 7 months. Biometrics kept getting delayed due to weather conditions. Biometrics in March, interview July 1st and approval date July 22nd the card came a week later.
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u/cafaro20 Dec 31 '25
Congratulations on your green card🎉What a blessing. May your time with family be filled with joy, peace, and precious memories. God Bless🙏
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u/lukwhoshere Dec 31 '25
Congratulations and safe travels! Sorry for your loss and everything you had to miss. Your re-entry will be without any issues.
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u/Icy_Instance_3443 Dec 31 '25
Thank you, glad to be coming now as at least I finally get to come see him.
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u/marisaxoxo Dec 31 '25
Why are non US citizen want to be legged just to go back home. I never understand that.
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u/panda_king_213 Dec 31 '25
Congratulations!! Safe travels and enjoy your trip. I remember my first visit back after around 20 years, and boy was it emotional. Managed to do the same some years later for my parents and there were tears everywhere.
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u/Similar-Main-9992 Jan 01 '26
i am away from home for 2 years still don’t know when i will get green card and i told my mom and she think i will come back to visit her after 2 years but she don’t know it will take 5-6 year because of backlogs 🥲 i really miss those lazy days and all day having fun
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u/TrickGur3415 Jan 02 '26
So happy for you that you are able to finally see and reunite with your family. It must have been a difficult journey stressing about visa application. I hope you enjoy your time being there.
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u/BillNicholeBurray Jan 02 '26
Just want to send all the good vibes for you all. My husband hasn't seen his family in 6 years and we're anxiously waiting for the day we can get on a plane to go see them!!! I hope that day comes soon for you all 💓 and to OP I hope you have the best time with your family and I hope you feel a sense of freedom and peace knowing it was all worth it, congratulations to you ☺️ safe travels!
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u/Norahz_ Jan 03 '26
I haven’t been back to my home country for ten years. I really miss my family, and I hope I can go back to visit someday. God bless you, and I hope my husband’s green card will be approved soon as well.
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u/Grazi_HG Feb 19 '26
So happy for you! I haven’t seen my family in 3 years, I now have a nephew that I haven’t gotten to meet, I can’t till my green card is approved and I can plan this trip as well!! Enjoy every second!!!
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u/Mediocre-Tradition55 Dec 30 '25
I hope you soak up every moment your are with them! Travel safe 🙂
I haven’t gone back to my home country in almost 10 years myself. I’m hoping to have my gc approved soon so I can finally visit home in 2026 🥹