Re-entry Permit

A Re-Entry Permit is a travel document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and conditional permanent residents (CPRs) who need to remain outside the United States for an extended period. It serves as proof that the green card holder did not intend to abandon their permanent resident status while traveling abroad.

Without a Re-Entry Permit, LPRs who remain outside the U.S. for more than one year may face difficulties re-entering the country and may be presumed to have abandoned their permanent resident status.
The Re-Entry Permit is typically valid for up to two years and cannot be extended. Once it expires, the applicant must apply for a new permit if they need additional time outside the U.S.

To apply for a Re-Entry Permit, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Must Be a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) or Conditional Permanent Resident (CPR)
- Only green card holders (including conditional green card holders) can apply for a Re-Entry Permit.
Must Be Physically Present in the U.S. at the Time of Filing
- The applicant must be inside the United States when filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.
- However, after filing the application, they may leave the U.S. while waiting for approval (except for biometrics).
Must Attend a Biometrics Appointment (Fingerprinting)
- USCIS requires all applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 to complete biometrics (fingerprinting) before issuing the permit.
- The biometrics appointment must be completed inside the U.S., even if the applicant departs after filing.
Must Demonstrate Continued Ties to the U.S.
- Although the Re-Entry Permit allows extended travel, LPRs should still maintain strong ties to the U.S., including:
Must Apply Before Leaving the U.S.
- The applicant must submit Form I-131 before departing the U.S.
- If they leave before filing, they cannot apply for a Re-Entry Permit from abroad.
Cannot Have Already Been Outside the U.S. for an Extended Period Without a Permit
- If an LPR has already been outside the U.S. for more than one year without a Re-Entry Permit, they may have already abandoned their residency.

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General filing fee for I-131 (Re-entery permit):

Filing fee: $630

USCIS periodically adjusts the filing fees, check with your immigration attorney for the new filing fees before you file.