How Long does it Take to get a Reentry Permit?

How long does it take to get a reentry permit?

 

If you are a US permanent resident and are considering applying for a reentry permit you might be wondering: How long does it take to get a reentry permit?

 

In this guide, I’ll answer this question and I’ll also discuss different timing strategies when applying for your reentry permit.

 

If you need help applying for your reentry permit, please email me directly at Michael@AshooriLaw.com.

 

Overview:

 

1. How Long does it Take to Get a Reentry Permit?

2. Why do You Need a Reentry Permit?

3. What are the Requirements to Get a Reentry Permit?

4. What Should you do if you Need to Leave the US Before Getting Your Reentry Permit?

5. Conclusion

 

1. How Long does it Take to Get a Reentry Permit?

 

To get a reentry permit, you are must file your reentry permit application with USCIS. Your physical reentry permit is then issued about 3 to 4 months after you submit your reentry permit application. While your application is processing, you are also required to attend a fingerprinting appointment at a USCIS office in the US.

 

2. Why do You Need a Reentry Permit?

 

There are 3 main reasons that a green card holder may need a reentry permit:

 

i. Leaving the US for 6 months or longer: If you are a US permanent resident and you leave the country for 6 months or longer, upon return to the US you are eligible to be questioned. Immigration officers may ask you questions to determine whether you have abandoned your permanent resident status. A reentry permit creates a legal presumption that you intend to remain a US permanent resident.

 

If you leave the US for a year or longer, your permanent resident card is no longer valid as an entry document. A reentry permit can be used to reenter the US for up to 2 years from the date it is issued.

 

ii. Frequent trips outside the US: Frequent trips outside of the US or spending more time outside of the US than inside the US can also lead to the same issues mentioned above regarding abandonment. A reentry permit can similarly help by creating a legal presumption that you intend to remain a US permanent resident.

 

iii. Cannot get a passport from your country of citizenship: If you cannot get a passport from your country of citizenship, a reentry permit can be used instead of a passport.

 

A reentry permit looks very similar to a passport. It is a small booklet with multiple pages for placing stamps/visas. It also has a biographic page with your picture and pertinent information.

 

3. What are the Requirements to Get a Reentry Permit?

 

There are 5 main requirements to get a reentry permit:

 

  • You must be a US permanent resident or conditional permanent resident
  • You must file a Form I-131 with USCIS
  • You must be physically present in the US when your Form I-131 is field
  • You must attend a biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment in the US
  • You must intend to depart the US

 

4. What Should you do if you Need to Leave the US Before Getting Your Reentry Permit?

 

Many permanent residents that need a reentry permit either have immediate travel plans or may not be in a position to wait 4 months for their reentry permit to be issued. If you are in this position, there are multiple potential solutions.

 

i. Leave after filing the reentry permit application: You are only required to be physically present in the US at the time your reentry permit application is filed and for your biometrics appointment (which is scheduled to take place about 6 weeks after you file your application). If you need to leave the US before your reentry permit is issued, you can leave after filing your reentry permit application with USICS and come back for your biometrics appointment. Your immigration lawyer can then mail you your reentry permit once it is issued.

 

Note: This option is only available if you have a valid passport. You should not leave the US without a valid travel document.

 

ii. Expedited Processing: In some cases, USCIS will expedite the processing of your reentry  permit application which can result in having your biometrics appointment scheduled within 2 weeks of filing.

 

Here are some of the main reasons USCIS will grant an expedite request:

 

  • Emergency situation
  • Humanitarian reasons
  • Severe financial loss to company or person
  • USCIS compelling interest
  • National interest situation
  • USCIS error

 

5. Conclusion

 

Once you file your Form I-131 (reentry permit application) It takes about 3 to 4 months to get your physical reentry permit. Depending on your case, there are ways to either speed up the process or to leave the US before your reentry permit is issued.

 

As a US immigration lawyer, I would be happy to help you throughout the entire process from filing to receiving your reentry permit. To get started, please email me directly at Michael@AshooriLaw.com.

 

Resources:

 

Share this post...

Ashoori Law
4.9
Based on 595 reviews
Arsineh Hebert
1696023510
We had an excellent experience with Ashoori Law. Extremely progressional and worked quickly to get us a successful outcome!
mohammed khaled
1695956154
The Ashoori firm is one of the best law firms I have dealt with. They are so quick, professional, and responsive.I got my case approved in a few weeks
Mariana Sanchez
1695839622
I had a great experience working with the Ashoori Law team. Everybody was responsive and helpful in guiding me through the immigration process. They answer all of your questions and really make it easy for you to work out immigration stuff. Do your... part (turn in the requested documents on time) and then rest is taken care of by the Ashoori Law team. True peace of mind.read more
Alec Strickland
1695445497
Ashoori was a great help with our green card process. They filed all of our paperwork, were available the entire time to answer any questions (we had many), and provided personal counseling for the final interview
Jamal Albardwil
1695322620
I was delighted with my experience. Mr. Ehsan Ashoori Was a professional, and free consultation meant free and informative. And he educated me on what to expect and do, the likely outcomes, and how to achieve it. I would highly highly recommend this... immigration law firm to anyone needing an immigration law firm.I wish I could give them 6 stars.100% professionals.read more
Sanjeev Bhalla
1695322329
Ashoori Law is a professional law firm with a great team. We had applied for my daughter's change of status visa and they handled it pretty well and we got the status change without any difficulty. I would strongly recommend them to anyone who... wishes to engage a immigration law firm. They will do a great job as was in our case. I'd like to thank Michael and Sergio as well their entire team for the fantastic work work they did for us.read more
Graem Beddoes
1695304265
Very grateful for the help and guidance in getting our E2
Carolina Marmolejo
1695267069
Very proffessional law firm. My husband & I appreciated their attentive, meticulous and detailed work on our case. They always stayed communicated and responsive to us from beginning to end.
Kaveeta Ramnarine
1695263390
Totally grateful to the Ashoori team for their excellent service. They are very responsive and knowledgeable, they go above and beyond for their clients.Special thank you to Attorneys Rebecca McCarthy and Ehsan Mehri for their continued support in... our process.read more
Shyam Chandrasekharan
1695134280
I wanted to express my heartfelt thanks for your exceptional guidance and expertise in securing my visa extension approval. Your professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication were instrumental in achieving this success. Your support and clear... communication throughout the process were invaluable. I'm deeply grateful for your outstanding work.read more
Malia Hi’ilani
1695090094
Ashoori Law is a very knowledgeable and thorough law firm, with a great team. They gave me confidence in my business plan by providing a free discovery call to see if it was worth pursuing. Very personable and available for all of my questions or... concerns throughout the process. I was granted my E2 change of status successfully. I would highly recommend them for all of your immigration needs.read more
Israt Jahan
1695005054
AshooriLaw is a great choice for our case.they response fast and very helpful.
Beth Jinks
1694583948
Ashoori Law again handled my green card travel document renewal application professionally, and they accurately predicted the processing time. I've tackled similar paperwork alone before, but have now been working with Ashoori for about five years... because they provide peace of mind that everything is handled correctly. Highly recommend.read more
Chris Lejeune
1694554372
At first I was hesitant hiring a lawyer from outside Texas that no one I knew personally dealt with however I am glad I did. These guys are very helpful and friendly. Their knowledge of my case and procedures was outstanding. 5 stars all day long.
Yuvraj Singh
1694452150
I would highly recommend Ashoori law for any kind of immigration services. They are fast, their process is easy and they are professional. I would highly suggest them handle your immigration cases.
Mazen Hanana
1694034589
Thank you for your amazing services as well as for your prompt response to all my queries.Your professional experience was very helpful in submitting, approving and getting my Re-entry permit
Marina
1693967961
Very great! Love, love, love Ashoori Law and his team. They make you feel like family. This is the team that will definitely get the job done. Very friendly and professional!
Nyoka Bandoo
1693967284
Very professional and looks out for your best interest at heart!
arsalan pervez
1693586652
Hello sir u have watsap number
Mohammed
1693507822
My wife & I recently engaged the services of Ashoori Law for Immigration services, and I must say that I am thoroughly impressed with their expertise and professionalism. From the moment I contacted them, they demonstrated a deep understanding of my... case and provided insightful advice that put me at ease. Their legal team, led by Micheal, displayed an exceptional grasp of the intricacies involved in my situation. The Ashoori Law team not only guided me through the entire legal process but also took the time to answer all my questions in a clear and concise manner. Their attention to detail and dedication to my case truly set them apart. I am pleased with the overall outcome and would recommend Ashoori Law for their top-notch legal services.read more
ADAMS GODLEADS
1693336498
Before contacting Michael Ashoori's firm, I had spoken to a few Immigration lawyers, NONE was as patient and responsive as Michael. His firm scheduled a call with an Attorney who turned out to be the most efficient and brilliant lawyer ever.... Stephanie DiPietro was simply amazing. The detail in her notes, cover letter and crisp responses to my plentiful enquires mostly done with a smile was always reassuring. I highly recommend this firm as they are worth much more than they charge.read more
Cheng-Ru
1693283955
I had an exceptional experience with Ashoori Law. I hired Ashoori Law Firm to help with my immigration process. They assigned me a dedicated legal assistant, Jeser, and an attorney, Matthew, to guide me through the process. I am truly grateful for... the responsiveness of Jeser and Matthew. They consistently answered all my questions and helped me prepare all the documents for the application. The team's friendliness and remarkable expertise stand out. I highly recommend Ashoori Law to anyone seeking legal services for immigration.read more
Anas Khan
1693231831
Michael's firm has been very helpful in processing, filing and taking the Re-entry permit to its successful approval. I needed help as I had to travel due to personal emergency for an extended duration and had a lot of questions with no time to... think. They gave us time and clarified all the questions over call, email giving proper directions. Some of the videos on YouTube posted by Michael also helped me figure out that I could reach out to them to take my application forwardThanks to Matthew, Clara, Milena and all the folks who helped.read more
Alyssa Sanders
1693155918
I highly recommend this lawyer for all immigration needs. They were so extremely patient with my situation and my questions, and definitely legitimately cared about the experience had with them. Immigration can be a very difficult and scary... experience and they definitely offered peace of mind. Very Affordable for the quality of services provided. I would definitely use them again in the future and recommend for immigrantion law needsread more
Next Reviews
js_loader
Michael Ashoori Headshot

Michael Ashoori, Esq.

U.S. Immigration Lawyer

I’m a U.S. immigration lawyer and I help families, professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs get visas, green cards, and citizenship to the United States.

Since starting my law firm, I’ve helped hundreds of people from all over the world with their immigration needs. I’m very passionate, hard-working, and committed to my clients.

Got a question? Send me an email.