Re-entering US with Approved N-470, but 1+ year gap

[vsharma91]

Hello,

Suppose one has an approved N-470 (on behalf of one's company, which states that one can be out of the country for an indefinite period after the approval date, as long as one remains out on behalf of the company etc. ), and a valid permanent resident card. However, one has been out of the US for about a year and a half, and is returning thereafter.

Now, all N-470 approval notices have a line that says "This approval does not relieve you of the requirement to present a valid document for entry into the United States."

Is a valid green card still a "valid document for entry into the United States",
if one has been out of the country for **more than a year**, but
**with an approved** N-470, on behalf of one's company?

Or, is it then necessary that because one is returning after more than a year,
one needs to have a re-entry permit (or, perhaps, a returning-resident visa)?

I would appreciate the opinion of the gurus here, and/or of the list creators/moderators.

Thanks much,
-V

 

[boatbod]

I'm fairly sure you'd need a reentry permit since the N-470 only relates to preserving residence for naturalization purposes.

 

[co1hz]

Yes you need an reenty permit, aka travel document. It's fairly simple to get, just use form N133. In fact N470 seems to be more difficult and time-consuming, in my case.

I've got reentry permit for each one of my family. When we finally came back to US, we did not show it initially, then officer asked if we have one. THen he stampled on it. I don't know what if we don't have one.

By the way, where did you get your N470 approved, and how long? Did they ask for any further documents, other than a company letter supporting the case? I filed my N470 from abroad, 14 months ago, no response still, althogh bank said that the check was paid to the Homeland Security Dept. I wrote a letter to Boston Office 2 weeks ago, no response. I'm thinking to visit next week. Please share your experience. Thanks!