Extending Re-Entry Permit

[2002NJ-NonRIR]

Hi,

I recd. my Green Card in 2008 and had to leave the US due to family commitments back in my home country. I left the US in June 2010 alongwith a 2 Year Re-entry permit. This permit is expiring in April 2011. Due to some developments I will have to extend my stay for another year beyond April 2011.
Is there a way to preserve my Permanent Residency by extending REP or maybe by some other means....Please advise.

Thanks a lot
AK
India

 

[BigJoe5]

You may apply for a new one but must be in the U.S. to do it. It is June 2011, have you made a typo in your post? IF you have been gone a full year and your REP is expired, you have to apply for an SB-1 visa at a Consulate/Embassy.

 

[2002NJ-NonRIR]

Questions

You may apply for a new one but must be in the U.S. to do it. It is June 2011, have you made a typo in your post? IF you have been gone a full year and your REP is expired, you have to apply for an SB-1 visa at a Consulate/Embassy.

Hi BigJoe;

Thanks for the prompt reply....I did leave in June 2010. I applied for a 2 year Re-Entry permit (it was approved on April 2010 and expiring on April 2012). So the REP is currently valid. I have a couple of follow up questions
1) When I come back to the US before April 2012 and apply for a new REP: Would you happen to know if such cases are approved i.e. 2 REP's back to back. I am a bit worried about this
2) SB-1 Visa: I read about this on USCIS website but did not follow their description. My question is : What duration is the typical SB-1 Visa and what should be done to maintain it

Sorry for taking up your time....

Thanks
AK
India

 

[Jackolantern]

1) 2 reentry permit's back-to-back are routinely approved. It's the 3rd one that might be a problem.
2) The SB-1 visa is a single-use visa for permanent residents who have stayed outside the US for more than one year due to circumstances beyond their control, and they don't have a reentry permit or the reentry permit has expired. It is not a visa you "maintain"; it is a last resort that you seek after your after your reentry permit expires. If denied, your green card is dead (although you could reapply for the SB-1 if you provide better evidence of the circumstances beyond your control).

 

[2002NJ-NonRIR]

thanks

1) 2 reentry permit's back-to-back are routinely approved. It's the 3rd one that might be a problem.
2) The SB-1 visa is a single-use visa for permanent residents who have stayed outside the US for more than one year due to circumstances beyond their control, and they don't have a reentry permit or the reentry permit has expired. It is not a visa you "maintain"; it is a last resort that you seek after your after your reentry permit expires. If denied, your green card is dead (although you could reapply for the SB-1 if you provide better evidence of the circumstances beyond your control).

Thanks a lot, I appreciate your help

~AK