Re-entry permit - clarifications reqd.

[sshah1001]

Hi all,

I got my GC (platic card) about a month back. Now, due to some family reasons, I might need to move back to India in March or April'05.
After I go back, I may or may not come back to US. But, still as per other people's advise, I am planning to apply for the re-entry permit.
But, I am also hearing that to come back on the re-entry permit, I have to keep my address, bank account in US and also file a tax return here. If I am winding up completely and moving back, how will I be able to have my address and bank account here? Similarly, if I will not make any income here in US, why do I have to file a tax return?

Please advise....

Thanks in Adv

 

[rg585]

You can provide any friend's address for the Credit Card and Bank account. That's what I am planning to do. I leave in 2 weeks.
You just have to file a tax return on Global Income, you will probably not pay any tax in the US (I think upto 80K USD per annum is exempt).

 

[sshah1001]

Thanks Guys for your replies. RG485, have you applied for Re-entry permit? How long it takes to receive it?
Thanks,

 

[rg585]

Thanks Guys for your replies. RG485, have you applied for Re-entry permit? How long it takes to receive it?
Thanks,

Sam,
I had posted the information just this morning in another thread.
I had applied for my Re-entry permit in June 2004 (ND: June 29, 2004) and I got the Approval Email this morning (AD: December 13, 2004). It's not what I had expected since it was norrmally taking a year, so I thought I will get an additional 6 months outside the US if I apply in June, but they have processed mine within 6 months so I have 2 years from December 13, 2004 to re-enter the US. I leave the US in a couple of weeks.

 

[sshah1001]

Hi RG585,

Thanks for the reply. In my case, I cannot wait that long. I might have to leave for India in about 3-4 months time. So, what is the best option for me? To receive at my friend's address or at some address in India?

Thanks in Adv.

 

[rg585]

You can specify that the reentry permit is sent to a US consulate abroad.

Hi Sam,
Thats exactly what I have done. I have asked for it to be sent to the US Consulate in Chennai (Madras), but the Approval Letter will be send to my friend's address in the US. I have seen other threads where they have asked for the Approval letter to be send to your home abroad as well.

 

[rg585]

I actually have a question now since my Re-entry permit has been approved. If I have to make some temporary trips to the US in between the time this Re-entry permit is valid, will that cause a problem? I may have to travel to the US once in 6 months or so, if required.

 

[aasalame]

Canceling Re-entry

I have just applied for re-entry after I got my GC. I was not sure how long will it take for approval. Now knowing that it take long time and I am moving to other address. I am thinking of canceling my application before it is being processed. What do you think of the cancellation idea? How worse could it get?

 

[rg585]

You can travel whenever you want, without any problems. The reentry permit allows you to stay abroad for over 1 year, it doesn't require it...

Thanks Joe.

 

[rg585]

I have just applied for re-entry after I got my GC. I was not sure how long will it take for approval. Now knowing that it take long time and I am moving to other address. I am thinking of canceling my application before it is being processed. What do you think of the cancellation idea? How worse could it get?

What's your problem with moving ? Just file an AR-11 Change of Address form and call the NSC and tell them about the address change for the Application.
It will take around 6 months to approval.

 

[rg585]

Hi Sam,
Thats exactly what I have done. I have asked for it to be sent to the US Consulate in Chennai (Madras), but the Approval Letter will be send to my friend's address in the US. I have seen other threads where they have asked for the Approval letter to be send to your home abroad as well.

I had sent an email to the US Consulate in Chennai where the Re-Entry permit is being sent to asking whether I have to make an appointment to collect it or can I just come there with the Approval Letter / Email and get it. Their response was that it will be mailed to my address in India. I have told them that I never gave an address in India in the application. All I gave was my friend's address in the US for sending the Approval Letter. I have given my home address in India in the Email, but I am not sure whether they will accept that or not.

 

[sshah1001]

Hi RG585,

What is the approval letter? Is it similar to Receipt notice?

And how much time approval letter takes after to apply for REP?

Is there a column in the application where you can mention where to receive approval letter?

Thanks in Adv.

 

[rg585]

Hi RG585,

What is the approval letter? Is it similar to Receipt notice?

And how much time approval letter takes after to apply for REP?

Is there a column in the application where you can mention where to receive approval letter?

Thanks in Adv.

Once the REP is approved, you will be send a letter stating that it has been approved.

Receipt Notice is just acknowledgement that they have received your I-131 Form and it gives your application number.

Just download the I-131 application form, it is a very simple form. Yes, you can mention where to receive the Approval letter.

I received my Receipt Notice within a week of them receiving the application. My Approval took under 6 months.

 

[rg585]

You can also file it electronically.

I have not filed electronically, so I do not know whether it is possible to keep a copy for yourself after it is filed. I always prefer to have a copy for my records. Maybe it does, but I am not sure. I remember reading in the past how some guys had problems with the Electronic Filing, a few weeks had passed and their Credit Card was not charged etc, so there was some confusion as to whether it had actually gone thru or not. In my case, my Check also cleared within a week and I got the Receipt notice as well, so I did not have any problems.