Hi,

Do you really need a very good reason to apply for a travel document or re entry permit? Is there a valid or invalid reason for purpose of travel on the I-131 (travel document application)?

Thanks for your inputs in advance.

Just got ours yesterday - the only reason for ours was pending AOS (though the wait for our interview will likely be years, still on 2004 at our office here).

I'm sure the Emergency ones have a higher standard, though nothing stops you from applying for an ordinary one. Re-entry permit is in theory better - you are a permanent resident and will be allowed in. AP is still up to the to POE if they want to let you in or not, so it isn't fool proof.

So, there is NO right or wrong reason/purpose to stay outside the US for a year or so? I mean, it doesnt really have to be a very good reason to go out of the US for more than a year. It can simply be just a really long vacation?

Thanks.

Pammy,

If you qualify for a travel document, 'I want to' is a sufficient reason for one to be granted. 'I might want to' is even good enough for advance parole for a K1 adjustment applicant.

If you're going to be gone for a long period of time be sure that you take steps to preserve the USA as your primary place of residence that you do not intend to abandon. Time alone - 1 year - will result in a presumption of abandonment for an LPR who has not obtained a re-entry permit.

Yodrak

Just a thought... Have you heard of any re entry permits applications not being approved? So as long as I ask for "permission" for my travel, it would be valid?

Another question, if I stay for more than 6 months but less than 1 year, do I need to apply for re entry permit? Will it affect my I-751 (removing conditions on GC)? My husband will remain in the US and everything is under our names (utility bills, rent, bank accounts, insurance, etc.). I just really want to spend as much as time as possible with my ill father in the Philippines without risking my GC.

Thank you for all your help.

Pammy,

Less than a year should not require a re-entry permit, but you don't want to cut it too close and then get stuck out of the country for some reason.

Have a consultation with an immigration attorney who has some experience with abandonment issues. Such attorney should be able to give you some good information on what to do to preserve your status. (such attorney may not be easy to find, but a suitable attorney need not be local to you)

Yodrak

Just be Honest.

Have family back home, Whether it's mom, grand pa,
Put your family as a reason to get the AP in case of an emmergency you would need to leave at a moment noticed, which is not possible without advance AP, without jeapordizing the AOS process.