Timing of Application for a Second Re-Entry Permit...

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1on1

Registered Users (C)
Hi i am trying to detrmine the best possible time to return to the U.S. to apply for a second re-entry permit ? I have only been away from the States for the last 2 years so a second re-entry permit should hopefully be granted. The thing is my first permit will expire on March 21 2013 so i'd like to know how soon i can return to re-apply for a second permit ? I could return to the States before march 21st, i'm just not sure how much sooner i could return to begin the process of re-applying..


Cheers
1on1
 
If you apply for a new permit before the existing one expires, you have to send in the old one. But sending in the old one before you arrive in the US might be a problem depending on your circumstances ... when was the last time you left the US? If it's more than a year, you'll need the existing reentry permit to return to the US. If it's more than 6 months but less than a year, the reentry permit is advisable although not definitely necessary.
 
You can come anytime and apply. Since it'll expire quite soon, you need not send it in. Just send in a copy, and on the application, write "set to expire." They won't process it until after it expires (unless pigs begin to fly), so you won't have a problem.
 
Remember you need to be in the US when filing the new application. So there's no use in sending the new application when you're still outside the US.
 
re2: Timing of Application for a Second Re-Entry Permit...

Thankyou for responding..i had a problem with trying to respond to this thread but admin did not allaw me to respond till now..

Ok let me just make it clear...i am NOT trying to apply for second re-entry permit from overseas..what i am asking essentially is how soon can i physically return to the States to re-apply for a second permit ? As i mentioned my permit is set to expire march 2013..and basically i would like to begin the process of re-newing BEFORE march..is this possible and if so, what is the earliest time i can start the process?....1 months before anniversary? 2 months before anniversary? 3 months before anniversary ?

thanks
1on1
 
Jackolantern-

Exactly how much sooner (how many actual days/months in advance) is it allowed to file early ?

thanks
1on1
 
I don't think there is any limit on how early you can apply for the next permit. Just send in the old permit with the application if it's unexpired.

Yours expires in less than a month; even if there was a cutoff before which it would be too early to apply, it surely can't be too early now.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
i revised the expiry date on earlier post..i meant to say it expires in may 2013...not march. The whole point of it is that i want to make sure 100% that if i do travel early to re-apply early, that it will be possible..otherwise i would have travelled back early for nothing..not to mention the expense. I cannot find anywhere online where it talks about THIS specific point...the point of re-applying before expiry date so in my case it would be re-applying almost 3 months before expiry date.
 
There shouldn't be a problem. They'll just take it as you've returned to the US early, and have decided to apply for a new RP to go on another trip for up to 2 years.
 
People have successfully applied 3 months before the expiration date of the existing permit. Applying now will not be too early (assuming you apply only after you've returned to the US, of course).
 
thanks for the prompt answers..with respect to all your responses..does anyone know where i can actually look up this point within the
"I-131 rules/regulations", i tried googling about this specific point but turned up nothing specific...there must be mention of this somewhere in their "rule-books".

1on1
 
I'm writing based on experience. Also, in the instructions, it states: You have already been issued such a document, and it is still valid, unless the prior document has been returned to USCIS, or you can demonstrate that it was lost. If it's valid when they start processing, they must have in their possession. So, send it in.
 
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