Preserving Residency for Naturalization

• Overview
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Help with Reentry Permits

Overview

Lawful permanent residents hoping to become naturalized U.S. citizens must prove that they have maintained continuous residency for five years (3 years for spouses of U.S. citizens). If you take a trip out of the U.S. that lasts more than 6 months, USCIS will presume that you have abandoned your permanent residence status. If you stay outside of the U.S. for more than one year, then you have broken the continuity of your residence and the 5-year (or 3-year) clock starts over again.

If you need to travel outside of the United States for an extended period of time, you can preserve your lawful permanent residence status by applying for a Reentry Permit before your departure. If your extended absence is due to a job transfer for a U.S. company with operations overseas, or for a government agency, you may qualify to preserve your residency and not have to restart the 5-year clock.

A lawful permanent resident (LPR) normally may travel outside the United States and return; however, there are some limitations. A reentry permit can help prevent two types of problems:

• Your Permanent Resident Card becomes technically invalid for reentry into the United States if you are absent from the United States for 1 year or more.
• Your U.S. permanent residence may be considered as abandoned for absences shorter than 1 year if you take up residence in another country.

A reentry permit establishes that you did not intend to abandon status, and it allows you to apply for admission to the United States after traveling abroad for up to 2 years without having to obtain a returning resident visa. Reentry permits are normally valid for 2 years from the date of issuance.

You may also want to get a reentry permit if you plan on traveling outside the United States and cannot or do not wish to get a passport from your home country. Many countries throughout the world may allow you to use a reentry permit much like you would use a passport—placing necessary visas and entry and exit stamps in the permit—so you may use it as your main travel document. Be sure to check with any country you plan to visit about specific requirements before you travel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a reentry permit?

To obtain a reentry permit, file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. You should file this application well in advance of your planned trip. If you have questions about the application process, contact our office for help.

What will happen if I do not apply for a reentry permit before I travel outside of the United States?

If you are a LPR planning to travel outside of the United States for 1 year or more, it is important that you apply for a reentry permit before you depart the United States. If you stay outside of the United States for 1 year or more and did not apply for a reentry permit before you left, you may be considered to have abandoned your permanent resident status. If this happens, you may be referred to appear before an immigration judge to decide whether or not you have abandoned your status. If you are in this situation, contact the U.S. consulate about a returning resident visa.

I am a LPR and need to travel abroad. Can I file my Form I-131 to get a reentry permit while I am outside the United States?

No. You cannot file a Form I-131 to obtain a reentry permit unless you are physically present in the United States when you file the form. You should plan on filing your Form I-131 at least 60 days before you intend to travel abroad.

If I file Form I-131 to get a reentry permit while I am in the United States, will USCIS deny the Form I-131 if I leave the United States while the form is still pending?

Form I-131 should be filed while you are in the United States. However, you do not have to be in the United States for USCIS to approve your Form I-131 and issue a reentry permit to you if your biometrics have been obtained. You can indicate on your Form I-131 that you want USCIS to send your reentry permit to a U.S. Embassy, or consulate, or a DHS office overseas, so you can pick it up from one of those facilities.

If I file Form I-131 for a reentry permit while I am in the United States, can I submit my biometrics while I am outside the United States?

No. When you file your Form I-131 to obtain a reentry permit, USCIS will notify you when to appear at a designated Application Support Center (ASC) to obtain your biometrics. You must provide your biometrics at the ASC while you are in the United States. If you leave the United States before you provide your biometrics, USCIS may deny your application.

What if I must leave the United States before I can file a Form I-131 for a reentry permit?

You do not need 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 (Form I-551) as your travel document.

I have an old reentry permit. Do I need to turn in my old permit if I am filing for a new one?

Reentry permits cannot be extended. If your permit expires, you’ll need to apply for a new one. If you have a valid reentry permit in your possession, you will need to send it in when you apply for a new one. You need not send in an expired reentry permit. For security reasons, USCIS will not issue a new reentry permit to someone who already has a valid one in his or her possession. If you need a new reentry permit because your previous one was lost, stolen, or destroyed, please indicate this on your application for the new permit.

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Help with Reentry Permits

D.Ray Mantle assists individuals in obtaining positive immigration and naturalization results in a timely, personal and professional manner. Your individual circumstances are carefully reviewed by an experienced immigration attorney to determine which options are available to you. Mr. Mantle provides guidance and help in gathering the necessary information and documents for your case, prepares all of the necessary application forms, and also ensures that your final application meets all government requirements. Learn more about how an experienced immigration attorney can help you reach your citizenship goals: Why MantleWorks.

If you would like to understand more about the application process and to find out if you qualify for Reentry Permit, please contact D.Ray Mantle for a consultation.

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