Reentry Permit Filing: Do I Need to Stay Until Biometrics?

[Beeptweet 2]

I’ll be traveling to the U.S. on my immigrant visa for the first time, but because of work and study commitments I can’t relocate permanently yet. My plan is to go for about 3 weeks in mid-November, file the reentry permit, and return once I receive the confirmation of application received.

 

If USCIS later schedules biometrics, I can travel back again for that appointment. I already had biometrics taken at the Embassy during my visa interview two months ago, so I’m not sure if they’ll require me again.

 

Is this the correct process? And would 3 weeks of leave be sufficient for the initial filing?

[appleblossom 5,089]

12 minutes ago, Beeptweet said:

I’ll be traveling to the U.S. on my immigrant visa for the first time, but because of work and study commitments I can’t relocate permanently yet. My plan is to go for about 3 weeks in mid-November, file the reentry permit, and return once I receive the confirmation of application received.

 

If USCIS later schedules biometrics, I can travel back again for that appointment. I already had biometrics taken at the Embassy during my visa interview two months ago, so I’m not sure if they’ll require me again.

 

Is this the correct process? And would 3 weeks of leave be sufficient for the initial filing?

You do have to stay for biometrics, so I’d plan on longer than 3 weeks.  
 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/B5en.pdf

 

[Beeptweet 2]

On 10/3/2025 at 10:59 AM, appleblossom said:

You do have to stay for biometrics, so I’d plan on longer than 3 weeks.  
 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/B5en.pdf

 

I appreciate your post.

l assume 3 weeks are enough.

 

can you also advise:

1) I would be applying i-131 the very next day l landed in USA.

2) I do not have Physical Green Card.

3) I do not have the SSN.

4) I Just be supplying the copy of the Pasted Visa on my passport.

 

do you see any concern regarding an application submitted without the presence of Physical Green Card & SSN number?

 

Additionally, this video suggests you can leave after having acknowledgment of USCIS receipt. & come back for the biometric if this whole exercise does not complete in 3 weeks of my leaves.

 

 

[OldUser 10,680]

26 minutes ago, Beeptweet said:

I appreciate your post.

l assume 3 weeks are enough.

You can assume. But don't be dissapointed if it takes longer. Usually you don't even receive letter with receipt within 3 weeks of filing. More realistic timeframe is 2-3 months until biometrics appointment.

[OldUser 10,680]

28 minutes ago, Beeptweet said:

Additionally, this video suggests you can leave after having acknowledgment of USCIS receipt. & come back for the biometric if this whole exercise does not complete in 3 weeks of my leaves.

 

 

You believe video over information from USCIS? Good luck!

[OldUser 10,680]

31 minutes ago, Beeptweet said:

do you see any concern regarding an application submitted without the presence of Physical Green Card & SSN number?

Yes. CBP can conclude you never started residing in the US without SSN and GC and give you NTA.

[Beeptweet 2]

6 hours ago, OldUser said:

Yes. CBP can conclude you never started residing in the US without SSN and GC and give you NTA.

Yes that is why the re entry permit is.

[Beeptweet 2]

6 hours ago, OldUser said:

You can assume. But don't be dissapointed if it takes longer. Usually you don't even receive letter with receipt within 3 weeks of filing. More realistic timeframe is 2-3 months until biometrics appointment.

I am not in hurry for the decision. I just talking about the Application Received notice.

[appleblossom 5,089]

As @OldUser said, why would you trust a random YouTube video over the link I have given you, which is from USCIS and clearly states you can’t leave until you’ve had biometrics done? It also says it on the I-131 application form - “If we require biometrics, the alien must appear for any required biometric services appointment BEFORE they leave the United States.”

 

Plus of course, even if it were allowed then from a practical point of view you may struggle to get back in time - my daughter received notice of her biometrics the day before her appointment (it had been mailed 10 days before). 

Remember that re-entry permits are for permanent residents who need to leave for an extended period, but you do have to establish that permanent residency first. 3 weeks may not be enough anyway (my daughters biometrics were about 6 weeks after applying for hers), so as I said in my first response I think you may need to plan to stay longer. But whatever time it takes make sure you use it to establish some ties to the US - get yourself a bank account, a phone number, a driving licence etc. Anything to show you do intend to return and have started to make the US your permanent home. You won’t have your GC anyway by that point but should have your SSN and ideally get that first. 
 

It’s too late now I know, but just for anybody else reading in the same situation, if you can’t move to the US straight away then just delay things at the NVC stage (where it can be delayed indefinitely) instead until you are in a position to move. 
 

What’s your reason for not being able to move straight away? Keep good evidence of that too in case questioned at a later date, i.e. if it’s to care for a terminally ill family member, get a letter from their doctor, if it’s for a critical work project, get evidence from your boss, if it’s to finish a course of study keep academic records, etc. 
 

Best of luck. 
 

 

 

Edited Sunday at 12:40 PM by appleblossom

[Beeptweet 2]

@appleblossom @OldUser

 

 

I sincerely appreciate your time and the detailed responses provided. Your insights have been extremely valuable in helping me assess the situation comprehensively.

After careful consideration, I believe the most prudent course of action at this stage is not to apply for the re-entry permit immediately. Before initiating that process, I intend to first complete the following foundational steps:

1. Obtain my Social Security Number (SSN).

2. Receive my physical Green Card.

3. Open a U.S. bank account.

4. Secure a U.S. driver’s licence.

5. Return to my current country of residence.

6. After approximately one year, travel back to the United States.

7. Subsequently, apply for the re-entry permit.

At this point, the NVC process has been finalized, and the visa is already in hand. However, I am currently navigating multiple transitions in my professional and personal life and do not feel prepared to make such significant changes immediately.

While I fully recognize that many individuals wait years to reach this milestone, my decision is rooted in timing and readiness rather than lack of appreciation. I simply wish to pause, consolidate my current commitments, and proceed when circumstances are more aligned.

[appleblossom 5,089]

9 minutes ago, Beeptweet said:

• After approximately one year, travel back to the United States.

• Subsequently, apply for the re-entry permit.

How long are you thinking you’ll need to stay out of the US then? Sounds like it could be far too long and you’re almost better off letting the visa go and reapplying a few years down the line if/when you do want to move? 
 

Waiting a few months (long enough to get the GC) is a more sensible idea and will allow you to establish more ties before you leave. But your reasons for not moving immediately sound a bit vague, you do need a good reason for having permanent residency but not actually making the US your home. 
 

And no, don’t leave it a year before returning, that’s too risky. See this recent thread - 

 

 

 

Edited Sunday at 12:56 PM by appleblossom

[igoyougoduke 1,702]

On 10/2/2025 at 9:42 PM, Beeptweet said:

I’ll be traveling to the U.S. on my immigrant visa for the first time, but because of work and study commitments I can’t relocate permanently yet. My plan is to go for about 3 weeks in mid-November, file the reentry permit, and return once I receive the confirmation of application received.

 

If USCIS later schedules biometrics, I can travel back again for that appointment. I already had biometrics taken at the Embassy during my visa interview two months ago, so I’m not sure if they’ll require me again.

 

Is this the correct process? And would 3 weeks of leave be sufficient for the initial filing?

 

 

you dont need Reentry permit as soon as you land in US on immigrant visa. As others have said , build your relationship with US residency. This would include 

 

1) get ssn card

2) get drivers license

3) open bank accounts etc

4) Get your Green card in hand as they will only ship to US address

 

once you activate your immigrant visa by touching down on US soil,  you become a permanent resident ( aka green card holder). Come back 3-4 months later and than apply for reentry permit.  I would not wait for a year in the current political scenario to come back as it would trigger the 6 month criteria for green card abandonment. Just be as cautious as possible in the current political scenario in USA.  

 

As long as you dont stay away between touch down on US soil with IR visa and than coming back to apply for reentry permit, you should be ok.

 

Its a hassle with all the trip but you have do what you have to do

 

 

Edited Sunday at 02:54 PM by igoyougoduke

[Beeptweet 2]

@appleblossom

 

Thanks for your response. The reason behind my current plan is that I am already an LPR in another country, and things are progressing well there in terms of both my studies and career. I don’t want to disrupt that momentum or jeopardize the foundation I’m building professionally and academically.

My spouse, on the other hand, can stay in the U.S. for about 3–4 months at her sister’s place to manage a few key tasks — specifically, to collect both her SSN and Green Card, as well as mine. Once she receives her SSN, she’ll file for her re-entry permit, complete the biometrics process, and then return with both our physical SSN and Green Card documents.

As for me, I only have a 21-day window to complete my first entry. My plan during that short stay is to accomplish as much as possible:

1. Apply for the re-entry permit immediately after arrival.

2. Open a U.S. bank account.

3. Obtain a driver’s licence.

4. Secure the re-entry permit receipt before returning.

I understand that biometrics appointments are typically scheduled within a few weeks, but I’ve also read that certain applicants are exempted if their fingerprints are already on record. My justification for the re-entry permit is aligned with my ongoing educational commitments abroad.

I just want to ensure that this approach is compliant and that I’m not inadvertently putting my LPR status at risk.

 

[OldUser 10,680]

1 hour ago, Beeptweet said:

I understand that biometrics appointments are typically scheduled within a few weeks,

This is very optimistic. Receipt letter alone can take 4-8 weeks. Biometrics are typically scheduled within the first 1-3 months after submitting application, but for my I-751 it took about 5 months for biometrics to get reused.

[OldUser 10,680]

16 hours ago, Beeptweet said:

I am not in hurry for the decision. I just talking about the Application Received notice.

And I'm not talking about decision, it can take many months and sometimes even years. I'm talking about application receipt notice. It can take 4-8 weeks to get just that in the mail. So if you're only in the US for 21 days, you can miss it even if you file I-131 same day as you arrive.

 

Immigration in the US is a slow, expensive and nerve racking process. It's typically not fast or efficient. Some folks get lucky with quick turnaround, but it's the minority.

 

I think you already know this, since you went through immigrant visa process and it wasn't fast?

Edited Monday at 02:26 AM by OldUser