I am a
permanent resident
B5
How do I get a
reentry permit?
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.
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. Filing instructions and forms are available on our Web
site at www.uscis.gov.
The instructions on the form will give you more details. For
additionalquestions,checkourWebsiteorcallCustomerService
at 1-800-375-5283.
What will happen if I do not apply for a reentry permit
before I travel outside of the United States?
Ifyouarean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fileyourFormI-131nofewerthan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?
WerecommendthatyoufileFormI-131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 (photo, fingerprints) 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,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
B5—I am a permanent resident…How do I get a reentry permit?
M-608B (October 2013) Y
1
2
B5—I am a permanent resident…How do I get a reentry permit?
M-608B (October 2013) Y
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.
Key Information
Key USCIS forms referenced
in this guide
Form #
Application for Travel Document I-131
Other U.S. Government Services–Click or Call
General
Information
www.usa.gov 1-800-333-4636
New
Immigrants
www.welcometoUSA.gov
U.S. Dept.
of State
www.state.gov
1-202-647-6575
www.travel.state.gov/visa
For more copies of this guide, or information
about other customer guides, please visit
www.uscis.gov/howdoi.
Youcanalsovisitwww.uscis.gov to
downloadforms,e-filesomeapplications,
check the status of an application, and more.
It’sagreatplacetostart!
Ifyoudon’thaveInternetaccessathome
or work, try your local library.
If you cannot find what you need, please call
Customer Service at: 1-800-375-5283
HearingImpairedTDDCustomerService:
1-800-767-1833
Disclaimer: This guide provides basic information
to help you become generally familiar with our
rules and procedures. For more information, or
the law and regulations, please visit our Web
site. Immigration law can be complex, and it is
impossible to describe every aspect of every
process. You may wish to be represented by
a licensed attorney or by a nonprofit agency
accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals.