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

[appleblossom 5,089]

2 hours ago, Beeptweet said:

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.

Is this genuinely the only reason? Or are you trying to get citizenship in that country before moving?

 

I’m just struggling to understand why you’ve applied for an employment visa, based on your skills being in the national interest of the US, yet don’t want to go and work there? Surely if you applied for an employment based GC for the US, your plan is to build your career there, not somewhere else?  I’d be very careful, as your whole visa is based on your job moving to the US, so I would be wary of using ‘not wanting to abandon your career in another country’ as the reason for your re-entry permit personally. You must have given plans and evidence of your intended career in the US for your petition, so be mindful of potential misrepresentation if anybody might think any of that wasn’t true. 

 

Some applicants can have their biometrics reused, but you can’t count on that being the case. My daughter had to redo hers, even though she’d only got her GC a few months before.
 

Honestly, it doesn’t seem as though your two plans are going to come together, if you want to be out of the US for several years then you shouldn’t have applied for the visa yet really. I think you may need to decide where you want to be rather than try and have your cake and eat it too. 

Edited Monday at 03:00 AM by appleblossom

[Beeptweet 2]

The United States was not the only country I applied to. It was also not the only country that offered me residency. While I fully respect U.S. immigration regulations, compliance must align with one’s broader life and career commitments.

At this stage, my professional trajectory is already progressing in another country, and I cannot simply walk away overnight. I have existing obligations that I am currently fulfilling. Transitioning across continents requires time, planning, and the closure of ongoing responsibilities before starting a new chapter in a different part of the world.

[Beeptweet 2]

Thank you for your comment. It is true that the process is not very fast, transparent, or straightforward. I already understand that. At this stage, the only option I have is to either let go of the idea of the U.S. or make the most of the 21 days I have. I can see your point that it may feel like a losing game, but I still want to give it a try.

[Beeptweet 2]

@appleblossom @OldUser

 

I am grateful for your valuable insights. I am now out of my bubble, realizing that succeeding with a re-entry permit is not as simple as a drive-through pickup. I completely agree with you.

[Beeptweet 2]

If we require biometrics, the alien must appear for any required biometric services appointment BEFORE they leave the United States
 

 

I am struggling to find this statement on the form.

[appleblossom 5,089]

3 hours ago, Beeptweet said:

If we require biometrics, the alien must appear for any required biometric services appointment BEFORE they leave the United States
 

 

I am struggling to find this statement on the form.

Apologies, I think it was in the instructions for the form, rather than the form itself. But the first link o gave you is the one you need really, that’s the official info on re-entry permits. 

Edited Monday at 10:50 AM by appleblossom

[appleblossom 5,089]

5 hours ago, Beeptweet said:

Transitioning across continents requires time, planning, and the closure of ongoing responsibilities before starting a new chapter in a different part of the world.

We’ve all done it, but if you apply then surely you factor that in? It doesn’t normally take several years. And really you should have delayed things at the NVC stage if you couldn’t leave yet. My concern is that you’ll end up risking your LPR status further down the line, and risking a large amount of money too. 
 

If you really have no intention of moving for several years, then I’d let the US go and reapply if you decide you’re ready to move in the future. Trying to juggle two houses, two lives, a wife in another country, multiple flights, etc, just wouldn’t be fun. And as you’re an EB applicant then any further career progression would only help any future application, so it’s not as though this is a one time thing you were eligible for. 

[Beeptweet 2]

Thanks alot the quote from the instructions is: "The alien must
be physically present in the United States when they file the Reentry Permit application and complete the biometric
services requirement. After filing the application for a Reentry Permit, USCIS will inform the alien in writing when to
go to their local Application Support Center (ASC) for their biometric services appointment. (See Item 9. Biometrics
Services Requirement in the Required Evidence section of these Instructions."

 

I am now planning to just have a first entry and after 06 moth go again and apply for the re-entry. In my christman break I will just executing my first entry. 

[Beeptweet 2]

Very thorught ful words @appleblossom.

 

Yes I have already done it once and not sure how much courage I have to left my current progression for USA.

I completely agree with what you said. Its my un spoken words.

So nice of you.

Thank you.

[Lil bear 4,645]

51 minutes ago, Beeptweet said:

Thanks alot the quote from the instructions is: "The alien must
be physically present in the United States when they file the Reentry Permit application and complete the biometric
services requirement. After filing the application for a Reentry Permit, USCIS will inform the alien in writing when to
go to their local Application Support Center (ASC) for their biometric services appointment. (See Item 9. Biometrics
Services Requirement in the Required Evidence section of these Instructions."

 

I am now planning to just have a first entry and after 06 moth go again and apply for the re-entry. In my christman break I will just executing my first entry. 

Good luck. 

[appleblossom 5,089]

54 minutes ago, Beeptweet said:

Thanks alot the quote from the instructions is: "The alien must
be physically present in the United States when they file the Reentry Permit application and complete the biometric
services requirement. After filing the application for a Reentry Permit, USCIS will inform the alien in writing when to
go to their local Application Support Center (ASC) for their biometric services appointment. (See Item 9. Biometrics
Services Requirement in the Required Evidence section of these Instructions."

 

I am now planning to just have a first entry and after 06 moth go again and apply for the re-entry. In my christman break I will just executing my first entry. 

 

Sounds like a plan, just bear in mind you do need to show you've intended to make the US your permanent home. So get as many ties as you can, and of course, file tax returns! 

 

How long do you realistically think you need to be away from the US before you can move?

Edited Monday at 12:38 PM by appleblossom

[Beeptweet 2]

8 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

Sounds like a plan, just bear in mind you do need to show you've intended to make the US your permanent home. So get as many ties as you can, and of course, file tax returns! 

 

How long do you realistically think you need to be away from the US before you can move?

I appreciate your response and the time you took to reply. Yes, I completely understand your point. What I initially thought I could achieve in the U.S., I am now able to accomplish elsewhere, and I am currently in the process of completing my citizenship here.

At this stage, I would prefer to have the flexibility of being away from the U.S. for around three years. Life is unpredictable and you never know what may come next, but I do not want to let this visa go to waste. My goal is to secure a re-entry permit for at least two years, giving me time to reassess and make an informed decision.

I plan to travel during the winter Christmas break to complete my first entry. Then, around June 2026, I will apply for the re-entry permit to keep my options open.

Edited Monday at 12:46 PM by Beeptweet

[appleblossom 5,089]

27 minutes ago, Beeptweet said:

I appreciate your response and the time you took to reply. Yes, I completely understand your point. What I initially thought I could achieve in the U.S., I am now able to accomplish elsewhere, and I am currently in the process of completing my citizenship here.

At this stage, I would prefer to have the flexibility of being away from the U.S. for around three years. Life is unpredictable and you never know what may come next, but I do not want to let this visa go to waste. My goal is to secure a re-entry permit for at least two years, giving me time to reassess and make an informed decision.

I plan to travel during the winter Christmas break to complete my first entry. Then, around June 2026, I will apply for the re-entry permit to keep my options open.

 

I thought citizenship in Oz would be part of it. 

 

Three years is probably too long, but you can cross that bridge when you come to it. Just make sure that you file a tax return in 2026 (and then every year after that), you get as much sorted as possible in December, and then in June strengthen those ties further with more proof of you making the US your permanent home (even if it won't actually be for a while). 

 

[igoyougoduke 1,702]

12 hours ago, Beeptweet said:

@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.

 

 

Just so you know

 

1) Bank accounts : Most banks will not open an account unless you have a social security number. Some will open but you will be a foreigner holding a US bank account rather than a US resident if you cant get social security number

2) Social security number will take at least 2-3 weeks ( this is being super optimistic . they will only deliver to a US postal address

3) Drivers license cannot be obtained without a residency proof in a state. You need to have address proof of residency like electricity bill,  car registration etc . its not a given that they will give you license with a immigrant visa . you also need to pass a drivers license exam to get DL. 

 

Make sure to plan accordingly and good luck with your goals 

 

[OldUser 10,681]

@Beeptweet to elaborate on taxation point @appleblossom mentioned already in this thread... 

 

US is a pretty unique country. Green card holders (LPRs) and US citizens must report their world wide income every year to IRS. So even if you don't live in the US and make money elsewhere, you must report your income and potentially pay taxes in the US too. There is foreign income exclusion and other things which are complex. The penalties for non complying can be severe. And you only stop being LPR when you file and sign form I-407 or immigration judge takes away your status. 

 

Think twice before activating your immigrant visa, especially if you're not sure about living in the US. You may get obligations you never asked for.

 

Good luck!

Edited Monday at 02:08 PM by OldUser