Learn about the US re-entry permit (Re-entry Permit)

Green card holders are free to travel abroad, but if you stay outside the US for more than a year, you may be on the list of waivers of permanent residence status his cause. To avoid that, you can apply for a re-entry permit before making a long trip out of the United States. In the following article, ImmiPath will guide you all about the US re-entry permit. Watch now!

1. What is a Re-entry Permit?

A re-entry permit is a type of travel document that allows green card holders to maintain permanent residence in the United States while traveling abroad for a period of time. up to 2 years.
You can only apply for a re-entry permit from within the United States, so it’s important to understand the details before starting your trip.

2. How long is the re-entry permit valid?

This license is usually valid for a maximum of 2 years from the date of issue. Depending on the purpose and needs of the permanent resident when applying for a permit, the permit term may be shorter, such as 18 months or 12 months.

3. Who needs to apply for a re-entry permit to the US?

The main reason to apply for a US re-entry permit is to demonstrate that you intend to maintain your green card status while traveling abroad. If you are a green card holder, you should apply for a re-entry permit if you plan to travel out of the United States for more than one year but less than 2 years.

For trips of less than one year, your green card will remain valid without the need for a re-entry permit, although you should still be careful to maintain your relationship. clear contact with the US (such as through work, family ties, or home address) while traveling abroad.

For trips lasting more than 2 years or if you do not apply for a re-entry permit before leaving the United States, you will not be able to obtain one. re-entry.

Instead, you will need to apply for an SB-1 visa (also called a “repatriation permanent resident visa”) at a consulate or embassy nearest US restaurant before returning to the US.

4. Why do I need to apply for a re-entry permit?

Re-entry permit is a necessary document for US green card holders who want to go abroad for a long time without affecting their residency rights. reside in the US. Below are some outstanding roles and benefits of re-immigration permits:

4.1 Protecting rights to residence and settlement

Re-entry permit is evidence to prove a permanent resident’s return to the United States after a temporary stay outside the United States. Therefore, this document helps protect the settlement rights of foreign citizens in the US when going abroad and returning to the US.

4.2 Save time and costs

Without a re-entry permit, foreign citizens will have to apply for a new visa every time they want to enter the United States. This not only takes time but is also much more expensive.

4.3 Allowing travel or business

A travel document allows US permanent residents to go abroad for tourism or long-term business for less than 2 years and still return to the US.

4.4 Ensuring national security

Re-entry permits help ensure national security by controlling the entry and exit of foreign nationals.

The Re-entry permit allows permanent residents who go on business trips abroad to return to the US. The Re-entry permit allows permanent residents who go on business trips abroad to return to the US . Re-entry permits also help legal permanent residents simplify the travel or business process. However, to be granted this permit, you need to meet some conditions, complete the necessary procedures or seek support from experts in the field of immigration and immigration.

5. What to do when you cannot renew your Re-entry permit?

Re-entry permits cannot be renewed, so if your current permit is about to expire, you will need to apply for a new permit in the United States. When applying for a license, you must be present in the United States for the application process as well as biometrics. At the same time, your current travel document will also expire when you apply for a new Re-entry permit.

Currently, USCIS does not set a limit on the number of times you can apply for a re-entry permit to the United States. But if you have been outside the United States for more than 4 years in the previous 5 years since receiving your green card, you will only be issued a license valid for 1 year instead of 2 years as usual. There are some exceptions to the above regulations when applying to subjects such as: US Government employees, elite athletes.

6. How to apply for a re-entry permit to the US?

The process of applying for a re-immigration permit requires 6 main steps. Specifically, each step is:

• Step 1: Fill out Form I-131 for Re-entry Permit.
• Step 2: Prepare all documents according to USCIS requirements and submit them with the I-131 application.
• Step 3: Explain your reason for leaving the US long-term and confirm that you have no intention of giving up your US permanent residency. We must attach documents to prove the explanation.
• Step 4: Pay fee and submit application.
• Step 5: Receive notification of fingerprint appointment and complete biometrics at the USCIS office in your locality.

You can check the status of your application by entering your receipt number into USCIS’s online application status checker. The receipt number you will receive from the notice after filing your I-131 petition.

7. Notes when using US re-entry permit

7.1 Re-entry Permit cannot be obtained outside the United States

According to USCIS policy, it is not possible to apply for a re-entry permit while outside the United States, so you need to apply for a permit while still present in the United States. And according to USCIS recommendations, you should apply for a permit 60 days before you plan to leave the United States to ensure your permanent residency rights.

7.2 Continue to file tax returns even when absent from the US

You need to ensure that you continue to file taxes as a lawful permanent resident throughout your absence from the United States even though you have applied for a re-entry permit. If you fail to do so, you may be deemed to have abandoned your residence in the United States and your permanent resident status will be revoked.

7.3 Bring your travel documents, passport, and green card when returning to the US

When returning to the US after an extended absence, you should bring your valid travel documents, passport, and green card. At the airport or point of entry, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will check these necessary documents.

7.4 Not eligible to apply for a travel document without a green card

When returning to the US after an extended absence, you should bring your valid travel documents, passport, and green card. At the airport or point of entry, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will check these necessary documents.

7.5 Note the duration of the re-entry permit when having a 2-year green card

If you have applied for a green card and been approved but have not yet received your green card, you will not be eligible to apply for a re-entry permit. Instead, you will apply for a “Travel Document” when it is necessary to leave the United States.

7.6 Re-entry permit protects settlement rights when outside the US for 1 year

The Re-entry permit can help protect your immigration benefits when you stay outside the US for more than 1 year. But that still affects the conditions for applying for US Citizenship. If your presence in the United States does not ensure eligibility for naturalization, it means you will have to wait longer before you can apply for US Citizenship.
Understanding and carefully preparing for the process of applying for a US re-entry permit is extremely important to ensure that your permanent resident benefits are not interrupted.

Re-licenseImmigration not only helps you maintain your legal residence status when traveling abroad, but also helps you avoid unnecessary trouble when returning to the United States, helping to ensure your permanent resident benefits are not interrupted. .

ImmiPath hopes that the above article will be useful to you. If you have any questions about the US Re-entry Permit, you can comment below the article, ImmiPath’s consulting team will give you the most enthusiastic advice.