ImmigrationINFO: What is a Re-entry Permit?

Sep 02, 2018 Features / Columnists, News

By Attorney Gail Seeram

The Re-entry Permit (Form I-327), also known as Permit to Re-Enter is a travel document similar to a certificate of identity, issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to U.S. lawful permanent residents to allow them to travel abroad and return to the U.S. It is a passport-like booklet with a blue-green cover with the words “TRAVEL DOCUMENT” on the front.

The main purpose of the re-entry permit is to allow permanent residents to leave the U.S. for an extended amount of time without abandoning their permanent residence. For short trips, abroad of up to 1 year, the Permanent Resident Card itself allows re-entry to the United States. Permanent residents must maintain their permanent residence in the U.S., or lose their permanent residency.

Even for trips abroad of less than 1 year, permanent residents may be questioned as to whether they have maintained residence in the U.S. Any trip abroad of one year or more automatically causes permanent residence to be lost. If a U.S. permanent resident intends to take a long trip abroad, he/she may apply for a re-entry permit. It is issued for up to two years. It establishes that the permanent resident did not intend to abandon permanent resident status.

Another purpose for the re-entry permit is to serve as an international travel document in lieu of a passport for U.S. permanent residents who are stateless, who cannot get a passport from their country, or who wish to travel to a place where they cannot use their passport.

Why a Re-entry Permit may NOT be a good idea?

When presenting a re-entry permit, you are flagging yourself to an officer that you have spent an extended amount of time outside the United States.
A re-entry permit does not guarantee you entry into the United States. An officer can still deny entry into the United States and take away your green card.

Remember, a lawful permanent resident or green card holder is required to live in the U.S. Long trips outside the U.S. can make an officer use discretion to take away your green card on the grounds that you have abandoned your green card.

Attorney Gail Seeram, LL.M., J.D., BBA

call | text | whatsApp +1-407-292-7730

email: Gail@GailLaw.com

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