How to apply for a boarding foil (formerly known as a transportation letter)?
Applicants who want to apply for a travel document to return to the United States (often known as a "transportation letter") should contact the Consular Section in Warsaw via email at publicwrw@state.gov or by phone at +48 22 504 2465 during business hours to schedule an appointment. Appointments are scheduled at the Immigrant Visa Section of the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw between 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except for United States and Polish public holidays. Applicants must apply in person.
You should bring:
- your valid passport;
- a completed Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card;
- one visa photograph;
- evidence that you are a Lawful Permanent Resident and have been outside the United States for less than one year;
- a police report showing the circumstances of the loss or theft of the green card (if applicable);
Is there fee for a boarding foil?
A boarding foil is issued free of charge.
When will I be able to return to the U.S. with my boarding foil?
The boarding foil application procedure will usually take at least 24 hours. You may be requested to leave your passport with us. The boarding foil, now being a standard visa foil in your passport, may be picked up personally the following day at 3:00 pm at the consular booth in Piekna St., or it may be sent by DHL courier to the indicated address in Poland at your cost.
The Embassy reserves the right to contact the applicant by phone for more information regarding your case.
Because boarding foils are valid for a maximum of 30 days, your intended trip back to the United States must be within 30 days of the day of issuance (please keep in mind that the DHL service is a standard 3-5 working days).
I am a permanent resident and my baby was just born in Poland.
Your child can enter the United States without an immigrant visa or a boarding foil provided that:
▪ the child was born during the mother’s temporary visit abroad
▪ child's admission to the U.S will be within two years of birth; and
▪ either accompanying parent is applying for readmission upon first return after the birth of the child.
Please make sure before you begin the travel to the United States that you have all required documents for your child and yourself that will allow you to board the plane and then be legally admitted to the United States.
You should have:
▪ your and your baby’s valid passports;
▪ evidence that you are a Lawful Permanent Resident and have been outside the United States for less than one year, or less than two years if you are in possession of a valid re-entry permit;
▪ a complete version of your child's birth certificate (Odpis zupełny aktu urodzenia) with an English translation by a sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły). The Polish "short form" of birth certificate is not accepted. If your last name on your child's birth certificate is different than the one in your passport or your green card, please bring documents showing your official name change, for example a marriage certificate.