Van Gisbergen Needs Green Card to Leave U.S.
Trackhouse Racing is filing an immigrant petition so the NASCAR driver can travel home to New Zealand during the off-season.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Motorsports
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Shane van Gisbergen cannot leave the United States until he acquires a Green Card, which gives a non-U.S. citizen the right to live and work permanently in the country. Trackhouse Racing is filing an immigrant petition on his behalf as part of the process.
Why it matters
Van Gisbergen, a Trackhouse Racing driver, wants to travel home to New Zealand during NASCAR's off-season, but cannot do so until his Green Card application is in progress. The process requires petitioning, filing, biometrics, and an interview before approval.
The only quantified detail is the two years left on van Gisbergen's Trackhouse contract. The source does not state how long Green Card processing will take.
The players
Shane van Gisbergen
A New Zealand racing driver competing in NASCAR for Trackhouse Racing.
Trackhouse Racing
A NASCAR racing team that employs van Gisbergen and is filing his immigrant petition.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
The federal agency that must approve the immigrant petition before the Green Card application can be submitted.
The details
Trackhouse Racing must file an immigrant petition, which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services must approve before the Green Card application is submitted. The process also requires a medical exam, and approved applicants receive a physical Green Card.
Timeline
During NASCAR's off-season, van Gisbergen would like to travel home to New Zealand.
Two more years remain on van Gisbergen's contract with Trackhouse Racing.
Season Trajectory
Foreign-born drivers in NASCAR often rely on the same federal permanent residency pathway that governs other non-citizen workers in the United States. The requirement to hold a Green Card before international travel can shape how athletes plan their off-season and time away from home.
Fans tracking van Gisbergen's schedule should note that he cannot travel abroad until his Green Card is secured, which may affect his off-season plans. The contract with Trackhouse Racing runs for two more years.
The takeaway
Permanent residency can be a prerequisite for international mobility, even for high-profile athletes. Keep an eye on contract timelines and immigration requirements when following foreign-born competitors.
Further reading
For more on the sport, see our Motorsports coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Autoweek.
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