I am a
permanent resident
B5
How do I get a
reentry permit?
A lawful permanent resident (LPR) normally may travel outside
the United States and return; however, there are some limitations. A
reentry permit can help prevent two types of problems:
•YourPermanentResidentCardbecomestechnicallyinvalidfor
reentry into the United States if you are absent from the United
States for 1 year or more.
•YourU.S.permanentresidencemaybeconsideredasabandoned
for absences shorter than 1 year if you take up residence in
another country.
A reentry permit establishes that you did not intend to abandon
status, and it allows you to apply for admission to the United States
after traveling abroad for up to 2 years without having to obtain
areturningresidentvisa.Reentrypermitsarenormallyvalidfor2
years from the date of issuance.
Youmayalsowanttogetareentrypermitifyouplanontraveling
outside the United States and cannot or do not wish to get a
passport from your home country. Many countries throughout the
world may allow you to use a reentry permit much like you would
use a passport—placing necessary visas and entry and exit stamps
in the permit—so you may use it as your main travel document.
Be sure to check with any country you plan to visit about specific
requirements before you travel.
How do I get a reentry permit?
To obtain a reentry permit, file Form I-131, Application for Travel
Document
.Youshouldfilethisapplicationwellinadvanceofyour
planned trip. Filing instructions and forms are available on our Web
site at www.uscis.gov.
The instructions on the form will give you more details. For
additionalquestions,checkourWebsiteorcallCustomerService
at 1-800-375-5283.
What will happen if I do not apply for a reentry permit
before I travel outside of the United States?
IfyouareanLPRplanningtotraveloutsideoftheUnitedStatesfor
1 year or more, it is important that you apply for a reentry permit
before you depart the United States. If you stay outside of the
United States for 1 year or more and did not apply for a reentry
permit before you left, you may be considered to have abandoned
your permanent resident status. If this happens, you may be
referred to appear before an immigration judge to decide whether or
not you have abandoned your status.
If you are in this situation, contact the U.S. consulate about
a returning resident visa.
I am a LPR and need to travel abroad. Can I file my Form
I-131 to get a reentry permit while I am outside the United
States?
No.YoucannotfileaFormI-131toobtainareentrypermitunless
you are physically present in the United States when you file the
form.
YoushouldfileyourFormI-131nofewerthan60daysbeforeyou
intend to travel abroad.
If I file Form I-131 to get a reentry permit while I am in
the United States, will USCIS deny the Form I-131 if I
leave the United States while the form is still pending?
WerecommendthatyoufileFormI-131whileyouareintheUnited
States. However, you do not have to be in the United States for
USCIStoapproveyourFormI-131andissue
a reentry permit to you if your biometrics (photo, fingerprints) have
beenobtained.YoucanindicateonyourFormI-131thatyouwant
USCIStosendyourreentrypermittoaU.S.Embassy,consulate
or a DHS office overseas, so you can pick it up from one of those
facilities.
If I file Form I-131 for a reentry permit while I am in the
United States, can I submit my biometrics while I am
outside the United States?
No.WhenyoufileyourFormI-131toobtainareentrypermit,
USCISwillnotifyyouwhentoappearatadesignatedApplication
SupportCenter(ASC)toobtainyourbiometrics.Youmustprovide
B5—I am a permanent resident…How do I get a reentry permit?
M-608B (October 2013) Y
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