I-131

[tboxcar 0]

Hello my wife has just entered the country as of Jan. 29th as a CR-1 conditional Permanent resident. We will travel overseas 'on business' and other matters come Mid May of 2012 and return hopefully in October of 2012. To ensure her safe return I was wondering if I should seek a re-entry permit or is it considered advanced parole? I was under the impression it was a 're-entry permit'.

I'm sure the answer is one of these threads but I am anxious to fill out the I-131 form soon, any help with the above would be great.

[Inky 1,110]

You don't get AP - you already have a green card. You would be getting a re-entry permit.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

A permanent resident is allowed to travel out of the US for up to 12 months without a re-entry permit. You are proposing to be gone 5 months. Are you sure you want to pay money for a reentry permit?

[tboxcar 0]

Thanks everybody, yes, will go for the re entry permit, and paying the extra money seems appropriate at this time

A permanent resident is allowed to travel out of the US for up to 12 months without a re-entry permit. You are proposing to be gone 5 months. Are you sure you want to pay money for a reentry permit?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thanks everybody, yes, will go for the re entry permit, and paying the extra money seems appropriate at this time

You do realise there is next to no risk for being out for 5 months right? It's the 6 month mark where it can get risky (if you're doing it a lot, not for the first trip) and 12 months is a necessity.

Totally up to you of course but a total waste of money honestly.

Edited February 8, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[tboxcar 0]

Thanks Tony and Vanessa, that is pretty much what I have been told, but it's like an insurance policy and since it is good for 2 years, we might be able to use it again during this period as I work overseas for 5 to 6 months out of the year.

[gnasa 3]

Thanks Tony and Vanessa, that is pretty much what I have been told, but it's like an insurance policy and since it is good for 2 years, we might be able to use it again during this period as I work overseas for 5 to 6 months out of the year.

I just want to point out that a 1st Re-Entry permit will be generally be issued for 2 years or until a GC expires (whichever is earliest). As your wife's GC is conditional, the REP will only be valid during the validity of her current GC and not for 2 years.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thanks Tony and Vanessa, that is pretty much what I have been told, but it's like an insurance policy and since it is good for 2 years, we might be able to use it again during this period as I work overseas for 5 to 6 months out of the year.

Ahh well then that's different. If you're planning on risking her status by having her out for half the year every year then yes you should get a re-entry permit. You should also know that time outside the US counts against the time she would be eligible for USC (at which time the re-entry permit wouldn't be required and she could come and go as she pleased).

I don't know your personal situation. I don't know hers. I do know that unless she works for the same company as you then she would be forced to quit her job to travel with you (if she works). She would be lacking that stability and routine. She would be with you, but it wouldn't give her a lot of time to make friendships or feel settled. That might be fine with her. It could be an adventure.