Q on Green Card stamping & reentry permit

K

krubakar

Registered Users (C)
I received the 485 approval notices by mail but am currently in India on vacation. I am planning to return to US to get the green card stamping done and get reentry permit for my wife and son as they need to return back for medical purposes.

1. Can someone explain what happens during green card stamping? How much time does it take and what are the steps? Can I get this done in one day?
2. Once stamped, are you technically a green card holder or there are any other formalities? When will I receive the plastic Green Card and to what address?
3. Can I apply for the re-entry permit immediately after getting the green card stamped?
4. In the re-entry permit application, in Part I what is the A# mean?
4. In the re-entry permit application, in Part I, what is Class of Admission? Last time I entered US using Advance parole and this time also I will do the same? Should I say advance parole or mention H1B as that was the class in which I first entered US in 2000?"
5. In Part 4, what do Iput down for "purpose of trip" and "List of countries you intend to visit"?
6. What documents are needed for re-entry permit apart from photos, fees, I-797 approval notice?

Let me know ASAP which will help plan my return and get documents ready.

Krubakar.
WAC-03-135-XXXXX
Receipt Date - 3/26/03
Approval Notice - 7/8/04
 
I received the 485 approval notices by mail but am currently in India on vacation. I am planning to return to US to get the green card stamping done and get reentry permit for my wife and son as they need to return back for medical purposes.
Reentry permit takes almost 1 year to get.

1. Can someone explain what happens during green card stamping? How much time does it take and what are the steps? Can I get this done in one day?
Your passport is stamped with temporary proof of GC status. Your fingerprint and signature are taken on a form that is used to make the actual card. It takes only few hours.

2. Once stamped, are you technically a green card holder or there are any other formalities? When will I receive the plastic Green Card and to what address?
Yes, once stamped you are a GC holder. The card will be sent to your home address or any other address you specify (only in the US, not in India).

3. Can I apply for the re-entry permit immediately after getting the green card stamped?
Yes.

4. In the re-entry permit application, in Part I what is the A# mean?
You will find it in the 485 approval notice. It will also be written on your temporary stamp.

4. In the re-entry permit application, in Part I, what is Class of Admission? Last time I entered US using Advance parole and this time also I will do the same? Should I say advance parole or mention H1B as that was the class in which I first entered US in 2000?

Class of admission is "permanent resident" in your case. You already are admitted for LPR when you get temporary stamping. Actually that question is more relevant for Advance parole.

5. In Part 4, what do Iput down for "purpose of trip" and "List of countries you intend to visit"?
Write down whatever reason you have that requires you to stay more than 1 year outside US. You don't need re-entry permit if your stay outside US is going to be less than 1 year.

6. What documents are needed for re-entry permit apart from photos, fees, I-797 approval notice?
A copy of your passport with the temporary stamp and a copy of your DL is also required. Check the instructions on form I-131.
 
a. You are PR once 485 is approved. stamping is a process to process platic card and give you a temporary evidence.
b. reentry permit does not guarantee entry. to make the case strong keep a residence, phone, bank account .... call friends/family here occasionaly. Basically, you should maintain strong ties to the society here.

nkm-oct23 said:
I received the 485 approval notices by mail but am currently in India on vacation. I am planning to return to US to get the green card stamping done and get reentry permit for my wife and son as they need to return back for medical purposes.
Reentry permit takes almost 1 year to get.

1. Can someone explain what happens during green card stamping? How much time does it take and what are the steps? Can I get this done in one day?
Your passport is stamped with temporary proof of GC status. Your fingerprint and signature are taken on a form that is used to make the actual card. It takes only few hours.

2. Once stamped, are you technically a green card holder or there are any other formalities? When will I receive the plastic Green Card and to what address?
Yes, once stamped you are a GC holder. The card will be sent to your home address or any other address you specify (only in the US, not in India).

3. Can I apply for the re-entry permit immediately after getting the green card stamped?
Yes.

4. In the re-entry permit application, in Part I what is the A# mean?
You will find it in the 485 approval notice. It will also be written on your temporary stamp.

4. In the re-entry permit application, in Part I, what is Class of Admission? Last time I entered US using Advance parole and this time also I will do the same? Should I say advance parole or mention H1B as that was the class in which I first entered US in 2000?

Class of admission is "permanent resident" in your case. You already are admitted for LPR when you get temporary stamping. Actually that question is more relevant for Advance parole.

5. In Part 4, what do Iput down for "purpose of trip" and "List of countries you intend to visit"?
Write down whatever reason you have that requires you to stay more than 1 year outside US. You don't need re-entry permit if your stay outside US is going to be less than 1 year.

6. What documents are needed for re-entry permit apart from photos, fees, I-797 approval notice?
A copy of your passport with the temporary stamp and a copy of your DL is also required. Check the instructions on form I-131.
Click to expand...
 
Reentry permit

If I am not wrong, there is no need to stay in US until reentry permit is approved. That is needed only for Advance Parole where your 485 is still pending. So, the applicant can leave the country right after the application. Pls. correct me if I am wrong.

DL - Drivers License? My wife does not drive anymore after she met with an accident last year and actually her DL is expired. Is there an alternate document I can provide?

What alternate documentation for Drivers License is required for my son(5 Years Old)?

Ganesh
 
krubakar said:
If I am not wrong, there is no need to stay in US until reentry permit is approved. That is needed only for Advance Parole where your 485 is still pending. So, the applicant can leave the country right after the application. Pls. correct me if I am wrong.

DL - Drivers License? My wife does not drive anymore after she met with an accident last year and actually her DL is expired. Is there an alternate document I can provide?

What alternate documentation for Drivers License is required for my son(5 Years Old)?

Ganesh
Click to expand...
Most states issue a photo ID in lieu of a DL.
It serves the same purpose as a DL for identification purposes.
 
Check this out thoroughly for the information you need.

I would suggest you read it thoroughly a couple of times and get everything clear in your head and mind regarding what is provided in the link and make your next move.

You have after all waited and gone through so much to get this wretched GC and you do not want to get into any kind issues in the future. (Unless ofcourse you plan to be in India forever for whatever reasons or circumstances you are in, then you don't even have to think of these things)

http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/PermRes.htm#travel

my $0.02
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Also if you read the details under Maintaing Permanent Residence paragraph you will see the following note.

Move to another country intending to live there permanently.

Remain outside of the US for more than one year without obtaining a reentry permit or returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.


I would definitely be very careful with this vague guideline


Remain outside of the US for more than two years after issuance of a reentry permit without obtaining a returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.

Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the US for any period.

Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your tax returns.
 
Your understanding is incorrect. The green card expires 1 year after you leave US without returning unless you have either a re-entry permit OR a returning resident's visa. After 6 months you will be allowed to return if you can show that you have not abandoned US as your primary place of residence.
 
I am not aware of your circumstances or the seriousness of the situation you are in Mr Kirubakar, but unless it is absolutely necessary and if there is no choice whatsoever, then do what you plan to do regarding getting travel permit etc.

But since as some one mentioned to get a travel permit it might take a year, you would be better of to get back in 4 months, stay here for may be 2 months and then go back if that is possible. That way you could have a valid enough reason to convince the Immigration officials (YOU PROBABLY KNOW HOW DIFFCULT IT COULD BECOME SOMETIMES WITH ALL THE THREATS and RELATED SECURITY MEASURES THESE PEOPLE HYPE ABOUT).

If it is a medical condition, you better collect all possible documents from the hospital, doctors and whoever necessary may be notarize them too for more authenticity (YOU CAN DECIDE THAT) then submit it for your travel permit requirements. But till you get that travel permit approved, you would be better of to bring your family back and stay here for say a month or more and then go back (THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU CAN REDUCE THE COMPLICATIONS - you are already in one right now because of which you are looking at these options, you do not want to go through the pain again with Immigration [GC process was good enough reason]

ULTIMATELY YOU ARE THE BEST JUDGE. Make sure you maintain a home, bank account, keep paying bills, latest electricity, creditcard receipts, bills etc. so that at any point in time if Immigration wants to check your documents they are pretty much current with regard to the timeframe they are looking (I guess if you are away for a month or two it probably would not be problem).

You know how Immigration is very particular about even obscure documents hence make a proper decision.

APOLOGIZE FOR THE LONG POSTING.
 
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