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Hi, everyone.

I'm a bit confused and anxious about my case and, after a consultation with a lawyer that didn't go well, I thought I would go back to Visa Journey for advice as it worked great for me in the past. I will try to be concise:

My background and timeline: EU citizen living in the USA since 2014, got Green Card through marriage of US citizen in 2017 (the help I got from VisaJourney's wonderful community was absolutely crucial!), have lived in New York since 2015. Spouse and I sold our house a few months ago and decided to spend some time in my home country due to not having spent any time there in the last 10 years and also having a relative really ill. We both still have work commitments, friends, family members, bank accounts, phone numbers, student loans in the USA, and we re planning to come back but just not yet. It might be a year, or two, depending on how things go.

I have work commitments in the USA that require me to be present starting autumn of 2026 but, because it could get to up to a year since the last time my feet were in the USA, this lawyer recommended that I file for a Re-Entry Permit to avoid trouble when coming back.

I left NY on the 22nd of July, came back for work on 20th October and left the US again on the 24th of October. Since 24 April would make 6 months and it seems that the 6 month mark is key (according to this lawyer and posts here and elsewhere), so that would mean I should start planning a trip to be there early April or sooner, to file the re-entry permit.

Does this make sense?

The lawyer I consulted encouraged me to come back to the US, file the re-entry permit, and then go back to my country just after it s been confirmed as filed/processing, with the idea of having this trip be short and convenient for me. Then I found this following paragraph mentioning I must file the form at least 60 days prior to my date of travel, which sounds contradictory to the idea of making a quick trip to the US, apply, and come back to my country. Could anyone please clarify this for me?

Quote

To apply for a reentry permit, you must file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, while you are physically present in the United States and at least 60 days prior to your intended date of travel. In addition, when you apply for a reentry permit, USCIS will notify you when to appear at a designated Application Support Center (ASC) in the United States to obtain your biometrics. If you leave the United States before you provide your biometrics, USCIS may deny your reentry permit application.

A few other questions:

• Part 4 of the i131 form has a section (7) that asks where I want the Reentry Permit sent to. For those of you who have experience with the embassy option, how did that work for you?
• Biometrics appointment: Is there any pattern as far as when biometrics appointment is waived? How likely is it to be waived? And, how long does it usually take to get scheduled after USCIS receive the application? and, lastly, is it definitely at a local appointment in New York or can it be at the embassy in the country I m from? I checked the website of the embassy but couldn't get any clarity, so I thought I need to give them a call and see what they say but haven't had the chance yet.
  • This is from the instructions to form i131:

    Quote

    "The alien must be physically present in the United States when they file the Reentry Permit application and complete the biometric services requirement. After filing the application for a Reentry Permit, USCIS will inform the alien in writing when to go to their local Application Support Center (ASC) for their biometric services appointment. USCIS may require you to appear for an interview or provide biometrics (fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature) at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct background and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), before making a decision on your application or petition. If we determine that a biometric services appointment is necessary, we will send you an appointment notice with the date, time, and location of your appointment. If you are currently overseas, your notice will instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or USCIS office outside the United States to schedule an appointment.

• Regarding Form G 1450: latest edition I found is from November, 15, 2021. Is that the version still used today? I haven't been able to find a newer one but I'm quite anxious about this, so I thought I would ask.
• Form i-131: latest edition I found is January 20, 2025. I m assuming it s the most recent version.

Thank you so much for your time and guidance!

Hey guys, creating this one for the February filers.

I'm filling within the 90 days prior to my 3 year GC, also I have a I-751 being processed since last year.

Filed 02/03 at night.

Received receipt notice same day.

Hope this one goes faster than all of the other processes...

HI,

We have been trying to get through the interview process for over 6 months and a question came up. My fiance went for the biometrics again this week but couldnt complete it because of passport issues. The question is.....she met several other people who told her they were able to schedule the two appointments on consecutive days. How is this possible?? In the process of scheduling, you have to select the biometrics date before you can see available interview dates!!! Is there something we are missing here. My fiance has made sooooo many trips to Manila already, it would be wonderful if we could get consecutive days!!!

Thanks in advance, Bill and Michelle

Hi everyone,
I m waiting for a K-1 visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires and my case status is READY.
Does anyone know if they have recently released new interview appointments, or how long the wait has been lately?

Any recent experiences would really help. Thank you!

Hello,

I was wondering how can I open a joint bank account with my wife. She is US Citizen, I'm not, and we are about to start filing all the forms for AOS, and we noticed that a strong proof of comingling is to have a joint bank account, but I have no SSN and no ITIN. Today we went to BOA and they told us that I should go with my passport, some other kind of ID (credit card, or some of the sort?) and proof of residence (like an utility bill with my name on it). We are currently living together with my wife. The thing is I can't put my name on our power bill (Cobb EMC) because, again, I don't have SSN. Same with the lease, credit cards, you name it, I can't open anything on my name.

Is there any other way to verify my residence?? Or do you guys know any other way to open a joint bank account?

Thank you to yall in advance!