Overview
- The requirement covers permanent and conditional residents whose time abroad exceeded 12 months or whose reentry permit lapsed.
- Applicants must submit Form DS-117 at a U.S. embassy or consulate in the country where they are located, with authorities recommending they begin roughly three months before the planned return.
- Supporting records typically include a valid passport, Green Card, travel history, tax filings, employment proofs, medical documentation, and evidence of residence and community connections in the United States.
- Acceptable reasons for prolonged absences include documented medical emergencies, severe family crises, natural disasters, or employment tied to U.S. companies, with decisions made individually and a medical exam sometimes required.
- Failure to obtain SB-1 or to prove continuing intent to reside in the United States can result in a finding of abandonment and loss of status, and holding a Green Card alone does not guarantee reentry.