I am a... Legal Permanent Resident
Berkeley Study Abroad offers hundreds of summer, semester or year-long programs in over 40 countries and we encourage you to explore program options here.
According to the USCIS as of 9/12/2025, “Permanent residents are free to travel outside the United States, and temporary or brief travel usually does not affect your permanent resident status.” That being said, we advise all students to carefully consider their individual risks associated with traveling outside of the United States. Exiting and re-entering the U.S. may carry potential risks due to evolving immigration policies and travel restrictions. We urge you to thoroughly review the latest guidelines related to your immigration status and consult with an immigration attorney regarding any questions or concerns.
Each person’s situation is unique, and it is vital for you to consult with an attorney before considering international travel for study abroad. Immigration Attorney Shawn Matloob, who is UC Berkeley Staff Attorney at UC Immigrant Legal Services Center, can assist lawful permanent residents and may be contacted at Shawn.ucimm@law.ucdavis.edu and 510-206-5052. Services are available to students seeking answers to international travel legal questions. Things to ask about include the length of your study abroad program, the status of your current legal documents, and any recent or prior travel you’ve done. The Center should not be relied upon in emergency cases such as border detainment, rather they should be used in advance of travel and proactively for planning.
You will need a valid passport from your country of citizenship, a valid refugee travel document, or a valid reentry permit travel document to travel abroad. We also encourage you to speak with an immigration attorney to make sure that your green card is up to date.
Depending on the country, you may also need to apply for a visa or other entry requirements to your study abroad country. It is your responsibility to research whether or not a visa is required for your study abroad destination, and understand the steps and timeline that the process entails. Entry requirement applications may require specific documentation, and your study abroad adviser will help provide you with these documents where possible.
Students will need to present their passport or U.S. travel document and valid green card or expired green card and USCIS Receipt Notice extending the green card or valid ADIT I-551 stamp when re-entering the United States.
It is possible that students may be subject to secondary inspection upon return, which means being taken into a room and asked questions.
The ACLU has prepared a Know Your Rights webpage which discusses non-US citizen considerations when encountering law enforcement at the Customs and Border Protection. Please note that this link to the ACLU webpage is intended for reference only and is not to be relied upon as legal advice.
While it is not required for a student to study in their major while abroad, some students prefer to satisfy breadth or major requirements. If that is the case, talk with an academic adviser to verify which degree requirements you have left to complete, and how to request credit for courses taken abroad. Completing these steps prior to study abroad advising will assist us in recommending programs based on your academic needs. Read more about Academic Planning.
Financial aid travels with students who study abroad on UCEAP, Berkeley Global Internships, or Berkeley Summer Abroad programs. Students are repackaged for financial aid based on the total cost of the program, which includes tuition, room & board, roundtrip airfare, and more. You can request a financial aid estimate and connect with a Financial Aid Counselor if you have specific questions.
There are also many scholarships to support study abroad participation.