Tag Archives: green card

Traveling outside US while on Green Card

There are some limitations for a Permanent resident to travel outside U.S. and return. A reentry permit will help a Permanent resident to enter into U.S. without any problem. A reentry permit is used to determine that you did not intend to abandon your status, and it allows you for admission into the United States after traveling abroad for 2 years without having to obtain a returning resident visa. Reentry permits are normally valid for 2 years from the date of issuance.

You need to file the I-131 form with the Re-entry permit fees to obtain a reentry permit. It is recommended that you file the I-131 form well in advance of your planned trip. Ensure that you file the I-131 form at least 60 days before your intended travel. You need to be physically present in the United States to file this form. You cannot file the I-131 form while you are outside U.S.

You do not need to file the I-131 form and get a reentry permit if you will be outside the United States for less than 1 year. If you have been outside the United States for less than 1 year, you may use your Permanent Resident Card as your travel document.

Reentry permit fees:

The Reentry permit fees is $385. It includes an application fee of $305 and a biometric fee of $80. You can pay the Reentry permit fee with a personal check, money order, or cashier’s check. Do not send cash. The check or money order must be drawn on a bank or other financial institution in the United States and must be payable in U.S. currency.

If you are filing the I-131 form at one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities and would like to receive an e-mail and/or text message that your application has been accepted, then complete a Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance and clip it to the first page of your application.

The I-131 form will not be approved in the following cases:

1)If you have already been issued a reentry permit and it is still valid.
2)If the federal register contains a notice that prohibits the issuance of re-entry permit for travel to the area where you intend to go.

Checklist of your Re-entry permit application package:

  • The I-131 form
  • The G-1145 form (optional)
  • Photographs
  • Supporting documents
  • Reentry permit fees

Assemble your application package in an orderly manner. Using a paper-clip, attach the Re-entry permit fees to the first page of your I-131 form. If you do not send the Reentry permit fees along with your application, your application will be returned. Place your supporting documents under your application. Mail your application by certified mail, certified mail or courier service and request a return receipt.Within 30 days of submitting your application to USCIS, you can expect to receive a Form I-797 Receipt Notice. This Notice is your confirmation that the USCIS has received your application and accepted it for processing. After you receive the Receipt Notice, you will receive an Appointment Notice requesting your appearance at your local Application Support Center to have your fingerprints taken.


Guest Post Author

Immigration Direct is not legal advice site, but its a place for all immigration related issues. Where in you can fill the forms on Visas, Green card Renewal, Naturalization, Student Visa, Work Visa, Tourist Visa, many more) online. We will make sure your form is 100% error free, before you submit to USCIS.

EB-1 Visa Green Card Information

To properly keep track of the different types of people who want to immigrate to the United States, the government allows for people to apply for a variety of different visas. One group of visas, the employment-based visas, have several categories in themselves. The group that is potentially most desirable to the government is first preference individuals.

Employment-based visas, or EB visas, are divided up into five levels. First preference individuals are given EB-1 status, while fifth preference immigrants have EB-5 visas. It is important to note that EB-5 visa holders are still important to the United States. EB-5 is for immigrant investors, or people who plan to come to the U.S. to start a new company that will open up at least 10 full-time jobs. This can give a much-needed boost to the economy.

First preference individuals are characterized by worldwide acclaim or other internationally recognized work or importance. The U.S. allows three groups of people to seek EB-1 visas: those with “extraordinary abilities,” as well as “outstanding professors and researchers,” and “multinational managers or executives.” For each of these groups, you must meet certain requirements proving that you have the global impact necessary to elevate you to first preference status.

To display extraordinary ability, a person must show that he or she has won an important achievement award such as an Oscar or Pulitzer. If the person has not earned one of these awards, he or she must show that he or she has met other requirements. For a person applying for first preference EB-1, no offer of employment from an American is necessary. However, for those applying as professors, researchers, or executives, you must show an offer of employment or have the employer petition for you. Additionally, if you are a professor or researcher, you must have examples of published work or prizes won, among other things.


Guest Post Author

Garg & Associates
Orange County immigration