Do you know the re-entry permit? The document that allows you to travel outside the United States with more freedom if you are a resident

If you plan to leave the United States for an extended period of time and fear losing your residency status, notify the immigration authorities that you will be returning by applying for a re-entry permit.

The permit to re-enter U.S. soil, El Nuevo Herald indicates, always prevents a legal permanent resident (LPR) from getting into trouble and guarantees their return to the territory after a prolonged absence.

This medium explains that the restrictions on residents with green cards to travel freely to another country “can be lifted by obtaining a re-entry permit, a special travel document that looks a bit like a US passport” .

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When undertaking this trip, they recommend that you continue to demonstrate that “you maintain demonstrable ties with, among others, the United States, such as proof of tax return, postal address, employer or family ties”.

They warn that non-compliance as a resident with tax returns will be taken as “evidence of leaving the US residence.”

Indicates to the USCIS that a re-entry permit is not required if you will be outside the United States for less than a year. If you have been outside the United States for less than a year, you can use your Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) as your travel document.

Situations in which a return permit helps

A reentry permit, the USCIS notes, can help avoid two types of problems:

The return permit “confirms that you do not intend to relinquish your status and allows you to apply for admission to the United States after spending up to two years abroad without having to obtain a return resident visa. “

Re-entry permits are generally valid for two years from the date of issue.

This is the visa that allows you to study in the United States and bring your spouse and children under the age of 21.

With a reentry permit in effect, El Nuevo Herald points out, “they are normally valid for two years from the date of issue. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials will not consider that period of absence from the country as evidence of abandoned U.S. residency

You must show your valid travel document along with your passport and green card to CBP Customs officers, who will ask you questions about your travel before re-entering the United States.

How is a re-entry permit processed in the United States?

To obtain a return authorization, Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, “you must submit this application well in advance of your trip. Form I-131 is available on the USCIS website.

In explaining what to do to obtain that permit to return to the United States, El Nuevo Herald reports the following steps:

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If I do not apply for a re-entry permit before traveling outside the United States

In that case, USCIS says:

If this happens, you may be referred to appear before an immigration judge to determine whether or not you have waived your status. If you find yourself in this situation, please contact the US Consulate about a resident return visa.

biometric data

When you file your Form I-131 for a return authorization, USCIS will let you know when you need to report to the designated Application Assistance Center (ASC) to obtain your biometrics. You must provide your biometric information to the ASC while you are in the United States.

If you leave the United States before submitting your biometric information, USCIS may deny your application.

With information from El Nuevo Herald and USCIS