Biometrics Now Required for Permanent Resident Reentry Permits
New Policy Requires Applicants to be Fingerprinted before Departing the United States
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Permanent residents applying for reentry permits in order to travel back to the United States after a long absence must now appear for a biometrics appointment at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office before departing the United States. The new agency policy could delay applicants who have imminent plans to travel abroad.
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) now requires lawful permanent residents age 14 through 79 who have filed an application for a reentry permit to provide biometrics at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) appointment prior to departing the United States. The new requirement also applies to individuals who are applying for refugee travel documents. Because reentry permit and refugee travel document applicants must wait for a USCIS appointment notice in order to have their biometrics taken, the new requirement could delay those individuals who have imminent plans to travel abroad.
According to new instructions to Form I-131, the USCIS form used to apply for travel documents, reentry permit applicants will receive an ASC appointment notice after their application is filed. If the applicant departs the United States before biometrics are collected, the instructions indicate that the reentry permit application may be denied. Many foreign nationals have inquired about the possibility of providing biometrics at a U.S. consulate abroad. The instructions, however, do not provide a clear mechanism for reentry permit applicants to have biometrics collected outside the United States. FRAGOMEN is seeking further clarification on this issue.
Applicants requiring expedited processing should submit an email address and fax number along with two pre-paid, self-addressed express mailers along with the Form I-131. If USCIS approves the expedite request, the pre-paid express mailers will be used to return the ASC appointment notice and the reentry permit once the application has been adjudicated.
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Not sure if I understand, if the permanent resident is trying to get back in teh US after a long absence, then how are they going to be able to get the Biometrics before they leave or in the US at all?
Does this mean that before they go on this long absence, it should be planned and get the Biometrics? What about situations with family that cause an unexpected long absence? Is this a way for the INS or whatever they call themselves now, of getting all PRs to get Biometrics regardless so they can prevent their re entry denials in case this happens?
This isn’t really super new – any foreigners traveling to the states have had to register their finger prints for the last few years.
Heck, in Heathrow Airport, EVERYONE has to do a photo and full palm print. I don’t really think this is a huge deal.
Dear sir,
I am a greencard holder (permanent resident card) and I plan to go back my native country to finish the bachelor degree program for a period of 8 months(e.g. I will leave US for 8 months). Thus, Do I need to apply for a re-entry permit?
I have searched that if I go outside US for less than 1 year, I don’t need re-entry permit. However, I must prove that I don’t have intention to abandon my residency status. So which document I need to present to show my intention to reside in the US and if I have to apply re-entry permit, where can I send my application form to? Nebraska service center of Seattle Field Office (at I live in Washington state).
Thanks a lot and I really appreciate your help!
hi,
I applied for re-entry permit for my aunt and her son in October. After calling the 1800 number we found out that Son’s application was denied because we paid extra fees.
They said they have sent us the whole packet(which might consist the fees) to us on Oct 21. Indicating the further steps that need to be taken.
We havent received the packet yet. Its not in the post office.
I am worried that we might lose the fees.
Does anyone know what steps can we take?
my parents are applying for I131 due to emergency circumstances they have to leave for more thaN 6 months however they have no time to stick around and wat for the fingerprints appointment any idea if they can do the biometrics in a consulate back home?
I want to have appointment with an immigration officer in Minnesota for a pending Reentry document.
GEBRESELASE ARAYA i applied for my refugee travel doc. last year i already have it and they actually didnt fingerprinted me, i have no idea why, i guess they already had it on file because i recently had my finger printed for my work permit [but i had to pay the 80$ fee] i still had to wait about 5 months :S to tell you the truth best thing is to call the uscis customer service and it would be sweet if you keep the blog update on their answer
hope im not too late!
i applied for reentry permit, they sent me the NOA about 2 weeks ago. they did not say anything in that NOA. so i am waiting my biometric appointment for the last 15 days and nothing show up. i did another biometric 7 months ago and don’t know if i still have to go for another one or not. Do u know how long it take to receive the biometric appointment after u receive the NOA?
DO i have to wait for my Biometric to be collected? coz i did my biometric so do i have to wait for them to mail me that they collected my fingerprinting/biometric? I need answer ASAP…Please…
I need to go back to the Philippines ASAP. My appoinment is on July 2nd. Am I allowed to schedule it earlier than July 2nd? Let me know asap please thanks!
can i leave us/walnut c.a if my biometrics are already taken?
i just scheduled an appointment to my local ASC using infopass (online), and asked them in person. they took my biometrics that day.
hope this helps, cause i had the same problem a week before i left..
it was 3 weeks after i got my NOA, so maybe i had it easy, but just try, they’re very courteous and more than happy to hear you out.