Reentry Permit for Green Card Holders: Travelling Abroad for a Year or More
In this guide
Quick answer: USCIS says permanent or conditional residents should apply for a reentry permit if they will be outside the United States for one year or more. While it is valid, a reentry permit lets you apply for admission to the US without getting a returning resident visa from a US embassy or consulate. You apply on Form I-131.
A green card lets you travel and come back, but it is not designed for very long absences. Stay away for a year or more and the card alone may not be enough to return. The reentry permit exists for exactly this situation, and it has to be organised before you leave. This guide explains the rules as USCIS states them, and how long trips can also affect a later citizenship application.
When do you need a reentry permit?
The USCIS rule is simple: plan to be away one year or more, apply for a reentry permit. For shorter trips your green card is the document you use to return. USCIS also says that to return lawfully after travelling you generally need either a valid entry document, such as a green card, or a valid and unexpired travel document.
| Your plan | Document to think about |
|---|---|
| Short trip, valid green card | The green card itself |
| Away for one year or more | A reentry permit (Form I-131) |
| Green card lost or stolen while abroad | Carrier documentation (Form I-131A) |
| Green card expiring, trip within one year | File Form I-90 when you return |
How do you get a reentry permit?
You file Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. USCIS says you generally need to apply for and obtain a travel document before you leave the United States, and to consider USCIS processing times when you plan travel. If you have an urgent need to travel, USCIS has separate pages on expedite requests and emergency travel.
USCIS announced that on October 7, 2026 it changed the filing location for Form I-131. If you file by mail, check the direct filing addresses page for the right location. USCIS says it will accept forms postmarked on or before November 9, 2026 that were sent to a previous location.
What if your green card or permit is lost while you are abroad?
USCIS says carrier documentation allows an airline or other carrier to board permanent residents who have temporarily been outside the United States and whose green card or reentry permit has been lost, stolen or destroyed. You may need to file Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation).
Does a reentry permit guarantee you can come back?
No. USCIS warns that admission is not guaranteed even with the right documents. You are still inspected at the port of entry, and a US Customs and Border Protection officer makes the final decision. USCIS also cautions that travel outside the US can have severe immigration-related consequences.
How do long trips affect citizenship?
Separate from the permit, long absences matter for naturalization. In its commonly asked questions, USCIS says a trip longer than 180 days may lead it to decide you have not continuously resided in the United States, and that you must also be physically present for at least half of the required period. Read the full rules in our guide to US naturalization requirements.
Common mistakes
- Applying after you leave. USCIS says you generally need the travel document before departure.
- Assuming a permit overrides inspection. The officer at the border still decides.
- Ignoring processing times. Plan the application well before your flight.
- Forgetting the citizenship clock. Long absences can break continuous residence.
FAQ
Can conditional residents get a reentry permit?
Yes. USCIS says permanent or conditional residents should apply if they will be abroad for one year or more.
What does a reentry permit replace?
USCIS says it allows you to apply for admission without obtaining a returning resident visa from a US embassy or consulate.
Does it replace my passport?
Travel documents like advance parole do not replace your passport, according to USCIS. Carry your passport as well.
Key takeaways
- Away a year or more? Apply for a reentry permit with Form I-131 before you leave.
- Lost card abroad? Ask about carrier documentation with Form I-131A.
- Documents do not guarantee entry, the border officer decides.
- Trips over 180 days can affect a citizenship application.
Related guides
- How to renew a green card
- US naturalization requirements
- Expat tax for US citizens abroad
- Moving abroad checklist
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Confirm current rules and filing addresses on the official USCIS site. Last updated: October 2026.
Sources
USCIS: Travel Documents; USCIS: Form I-131; USCIS: Commonly Asked Questions About the Naturalization Process.