I-131 Biometrics and returning on Reentry permit

N

nick715us

Registered Users (C)
Hi,

I left the US in mid-2007 after obtaining a Reentry Permit. At the time, I don't recollect being called for biometrics. However, I see some posts in the forum referring to biometrics before approval. When was this introduced?

I am now planning to return to the US using that reentry permit after an absence of 19 months. Has anyone been through a similar experience? What were the questions asked at port of entry?

I filed tax returns last year, but don't have a job or house in the US. In fact, I was unemployed for most of the duration that I was outside the US. I continue to maintain a bank account, credit card, 401k account and a couple of other investment accounts. Given this background, can anyone please provide pointers on how best to handle "ties to US" questions if they arise? What are all the documents you suggest I should carry?

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
If anyone has gone through a similar experience (returning on Re-entry permit after 18 or more months), pleeeaaassse share your experience.

Thanks
 
Reentered USA successfully

Just wanted to share my own experience as an answer to my earlier question.

Landed in JFK, New York yesterday. They now have separate immigration counters for citizens, green card holders, and all other visa holders.

I was directed to the Green Card line. There was only one person in front of me. The whole process was surprisingly painless and a non-event.

Went to the counter.
Me: Good Afternoon
(Handed over Passport, GC, Reentry permit and Customs Declaration)
Officer: Hello
(Right away endorsed the customs declaration. Then looked at my GC and entered something into his computer).
Officer: Please place fingers of your right hand, execpt thumb on the reader.
Me: All four of them?
Officer: Yes
Me: (Placed four fingers of right hand)
Officer: Ok, now place your right thumb.
Me: (Placed thumb)
Officer: ok, now left hand
Me: (Placed four fingers of left hand)
Officer: ok, thumb.
Me: (Placed thumb)
Officer: ok, please remove your glasses and look at the camera
Me: (Did as directed)
Officer: ok
(Flips through my passport looking at every single page)
Officer: How long have you been in.....(flips thro passport again)...India?
Me: About 18 months
Officer: (Flips through reentry permit and enters something into computer)
Officer: ok, I can't clear you through the computer, I'll have to take you back to the office.
Me: ok
Officer: (Places my passport, GC, reentry permit and customs declaration in a folder)
Officer: Follow me, please.
Me: (Followed him to the office).
Officer: (Placed my folder on a designated table) Please take a seat and someone will call you shortly.
Me: ok, thank you.
(Some other officer came by, took the folder and went into a back room).
(I waited nervously preparing for the worst. About 5 minutes passed).
New Officer: (Came back and called out my last name).
Me: (Stood up and walked over to him).
New Officer: Handed over my documents.
Me: Good to go?
New Officer: Yes.
Me: (Walked out of the office).

Yes!! It was THAT simple. Entry stamp was placed in the Reentry permit and not in the passport. Collected my baggage and was out of the airport in less than 20 minutes from the time the flight landed. Great relief!

If anyone wants more specifics, please let me know.

Good luck!


nick715us said:
If anyone has gone through a similar experience (returning on Re-entry permit after 18 or more months), pleeeaaassse share your experience.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
So, they did not question you about the long trip? Did they ask you why were you out for that long and what were you doing? Did they write anything in you permit?

Gino
 
No questions

No, not a single question other than how long I was away. They did not write anything in the reentry permit, just the arrival stamp with date and the word "admitted".

gino said:
So, they did not question you about the long trip? Did they ask you why were you out for that long and what were you doing? Did they write anything in you permit?

Gino
Click to expand...
 
The Biometrics Passport issue was first started by the US government as a way to guard against terrorism. It further allows for an active database of all US passport holders. If there is a compliance ruling that all US citizens should be in possession of a Biometric Passport then it is your duty to acquire one as soon as possible. It will prove foolhardy not to act on the advice of a government official in this regard.
 
Sizwe said:
The Biometrics Passport issue was first started by the US government as a way to guard against terrorism. It further allows for an active database of all US passport holders. If there is a compliance ruling that all US citizens should be in possession of a Biometric Passport then it is your duty to acquire one as soon as possible. It will prove foolhardy not to act on the advice of a government official in this regard.
Click to expand...

And you're telling us this why?
 
nick715us said:
No, not a single question other than how long I was away. They did not write anything in the reentry permit, just the arrival stamp with date and the word "admitted".
Click to expand...

Hi Nick,
I'm trying to do the exact same thing you did. I'll be leaving for Japan in early July for a teaching position that should last no longer than 2 years.

My question is, how long does it take before they let you know that you are approved? I understand that you didn't need to do any Biometrics. I thought I wouldn't either, because I had them done once before when I immigrated to the US....maybe someone else can shed some light on how long it will take for the USCIS to call me in to have my biometrics done.

Something that is on my side at least is that I can pick up my re-entry permit in Japan. Is that what you did when you went to India? Thanks!

Martine
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top