How to Apply for a USCIS Reentry Permit Before a Long Trip Abroad

When a reentry permit can be important

A reentry permit is a USCIS travel document for lawful permanent residents and conditional permanent residents who plan temporary travel outside the United States and intend to return to resume permanent residence.

USCIS explains that a Permanent Resident Card can become insufficient as a travel document for an absence of 1 year or more. A reentry permit can allow a permanent resident to apply for admission after travel abroad for up to the permit's validity without first obtaining a returning resident visa.

The permit is also evidence relevant to your intention to maintain U.S. permanent residence. It is not an absolute safeguard: USCIS warns that lengthy or frequent absences can still be considered when determining whether permanent resident status has been abandoned.

If your trip also changes where you live in the United States, remember that permanent residents generally have a separate obligation to report a change of address to USCIS.

Who is eligible to apply

You may request a reentry permit if you are in the United States in lawful permanent resident or conditional permanent resident status. USCIS regulations and Form I-131 instructions require you to be physically present in the United States when you file.

This means you cannot leave the United States first and then submit a reentry-permit application from another country. If you are already abroad, the reentry-permit procedure does not provide an exception that lets you satisfy the filing requirement from overseas.

If your Green Card itself needs replacement or renewal before your travel plans, see the separate procedure to replace or renew a Green Card with Form I-90.

What you need to file Form I-131

USCIS requires Form I-131 and evidence showing your permanent resident status. Depending on your circumstances, the Form I-131 instructions identify evidence such as:

• a copy of your Permanent Resident Card; or
• if you have not yet received the card, appropriate passport pages or other evidence showing your initial admission or status as a permanent resident; or
• appropriate USCIS evidence of temporary permanent resident status or an approved replacement-card application, where applicable.

Use the current USCIS form and filing instructions when preparing the application because filing locations, editions and administrative requirements can change.

How much a reentry permit costs

The current USCIS fee schedule lists a $630 paper filing fee for Form I-131 when requesting a reentry permit. USCIS specifically identifies this filing category as not eligible for a fee waiver.

Submitting the wrong fee can cause USCIS to reject a filing, so check the current USCIS fee schedule again immediately before submitting Form I-131.

Apply before you leave the United States

The critical rule is that USCIS must receive the reentry-permit application while you are physically present in the United States. USCIS guidance recommends filing well before the planned trip and has advised applicants to file no fewer than 60 days before intended travel so there is time for required biometrics.

Do not plan to complete reentry-permit biometrics overseas. USCIS guidance states that biometrics for this application must be completed in the United States.

Can you travel while Form I-131 is pending?

After you have properly filed Form I-131 in the United States and completed required biometrics, USCIS does not require you to remain in the country until the reentry permit is approved. The permit can be issued while you are abroad.

Form I-131 allows an applicant to request delivery of an approved reentry permit to a U.S. embassy, U.S. consulate or designated DHS office abroad for pickup. Make that request when completing the application if you expect to leave before the document is issued.

How long is a reentry permit valid?

A reentry permit issued to a lawful permanent resident is generally valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. There are important exceptions.

If you have been outside the United States for more than 4 of the previous 5 years since becoming a lawful permanent resident, USCIS generally limits the permit to 1 year. USCIS identifies exceptions for certain permanent residents traveling on U.S. government orders, certain employees of qualifying public international organizations, and professional athletes who regularly compete in the United States and internationally.

For a conditional permanent resident, the permit is valid for 2 years from issuance or until the date by which the resident must apply to remove the conditions on residence, whichever comes first. A reentry permit cannot be extended. A new application is required when another permit is needed.

What if you already have a reentry permit?

USCIS will not normally issue another reentry permit while you already have a valid one. If the previous permit remains valid, it must generally be returned with the new application. If it was lost, USCIS instructions allow you to explain that circumstance instead.

A reentry permit does not guarantee admission

A reentry permit helps document that an extended trip was intended to be temporary, but it does not guarantee admission to the United States or conclusively preserve permanent resident status. U.S. immigration authorities may consider the circumstances of extended or frequent absences when deciding whether residence was abandoned.

The permit also does not replace the immigration requirements of the country you are visiting. If you intend to use a reentry permit as a travel document, check that country's passport and visa requirements separately.

What happens after USCIS receives your application

USCIS first checks the application for completeness and eligibility. It may schedule biometrics, request additional information or evidence, request original documents, or require an interview. USCIS sends its decision in writing.

There is no single official processing period that applies to every reentry-permit application. Processing can vary, so use USCIS case-status and processing-time services after filing rather than relying on a fixed completion date.

If you later move while the application is pending, follow the USCIS address-change rules. You can use the Helpydo guide on updating your USCIS address after moving before relying on mailed notices or documents.

Common mistakes that can disrupt the application

• Leaving the United States before USCIS receives the application. A reentry-permit application filed after departure does not satisfy the presence requirement.
• Leaving before completing required biometrics in the United States.
• Submitting an incorrect filing fee.
• Using outdated filing instructions or sending the application to the wrong USCIS filing location.
• Assuming a reentry permit automatically protects permanent resident status regardless of the length and circumstances of an absence.
• Assuming an existing permit can simply be extended instead of filing a new application.

Related immigration and travel procedures

Before a long trip, make sure your permanent resident documentation is also current. If necessary, follow the procedure to replace or renew your Green Card. If you need a record of your previous entries and departures, you can also learn how to retrieve your electronic I-94 and U.S. travel history.