Re-Entry Permit: Traveling Abroad for a Year or More as a Permanent Resident

Immigration » Immigration resources » Re-entry permit

A green card holder who stays outside the United States for a long time can lose permanent resident status. A re-entry permit is a travel document that helps show that you did not abandon your residence, and it lets you return after a long trip without a returning resident visa.

When you need one

• You plan to be outside the United States for one year or longer.
• You are a permanent resident who still lives, works and has ties in the United States.

How it works

• You must be physically in the United States when you file the application.
• You attend a biometrics appointment in the United States. Leaving before biometrics can delay or harm the case.
• The permit is generally valid for up to two years from issue.
• You pick it up at a U.S. location or an embassy, as requested.

What a re-entry permit does and does not do

• It allows you to apply for admission after a long absence without a returning resident visa.
• It does not guarantee admission. Officers can still examine whether you gave up your residence.
• It does not protect your path to citizenship. Long absences can break continuous residence for naturalization.
• It does not stop taxes, which may still be owed to the United States.

If you stayed away too long without a permit

You may still be able to return if the absence was beyond your control or if you can show you did not abandon your residence. A returning resident visa, called an SB-1, is a possible but difficult option. We review facts like family, home, job and taxes.

Tips

• Keep a U.S. address, bank account and tax filings.
• Keep documents that show your ties.
• Plan short return visits.

Related guides

• Travel documents
• Citizenship
• Advance parole
• Immigration glossary

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Get help with re-entry permits

Every case has its own facts. Request a consultation and we will review your situation, options and timeline.

This page is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration rules, policies and fees change often. Last updated: November 2026.