Re Entry Permit in Place of Transportation Letter

[ollywarren1 1]

Hey all,

In a nutshell, my green card was stolen whilst travelling outside the US in June. I have informed the appropriate depts, and I will fling back on Decembr 1st 2012, which means I will have been out of the US 11 months. I have a re entry permit which I purchased before we left the US and I believe that because I have this, then I do not require a transportation letter. The airline and the embassy have told me, but I guess i am just triple checking, and this forum is a more knowledgeable resource than any!!

Thanks all.

[Hypnos 6,576]

I'd be surprised if CBP let you re-enter solely using a re-entry permit and not a green card. Even if they did I'd expect a lengthy wait in secondary processing as a result of it.

A transportation letter guarantees admittance to the US, whereas I think you would be rolling the dice with a only a re-entry permit.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I also think you need a transportation letter from the embassy.

[ollywarren1 1]

Thanks both,

I'm quite concerned that the embassy told me otherwise!! I guess that's why we triple check these things. It's a nuisance, because it is straight forward to apply for a transportation letter, it's another cost that we will incur as a result of a robbery. Worse things have though I keep tellig myself!!

Thanks again.

[ollywarren1 1]

Any ideas why the embassy give false information? Is it something that happens a lot?? I'm going to have to call them again, but I can see myself getting a letter just for peace of mind.

[hmh33 117]

The embassy is under the Dept of State, a totally separate part of the government from Customs and Border Patrol who are the ones who actually decide whether to let you in. So you shouldn't assume they know what they're talking about.

[ollywarren1 1]

Hi all, as an update I spoke to the embassy again and they are adamant I don't need it. That is the second person who has said it, but in going to call again to see what a third person says. I hear what your saying about the embassy being a different entity, but they deal with the transportation letters, and if they could sell one at an opportunity then they would no? Both of the embassy staff have said the same thing from a script it would seem.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

The embassy is correct, what will happen is you will go into secondary to verify your GC information. CBP has access to information needed inorder to verify the legite of the re-entry permit and absent GC.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The embassy is correct, what will happen is you will go into secondary to verify your GC information. CBP has access to information needed inorder to verify the legite of the re-entry permit and absent GC.

If they can verify GC information on the computer in the absence of a card or travel letter, then why make people who have lost the GC get a travel letter in the first place?

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

If they can verify GC information on the computer in the absence of a card or travel letter, then why make people who have lost the GC get a travel letter in the first place?

H, if you think about it in time and money an Travel letter states that this information has been verified by the consular/state dept.

If you understand processess, getting verfied by different resources clears any mistakes.

[ollywarren1 1]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the responses. seems to be a grey area, but I have spoken to the embassy twice and they said its fine. I have emailed CBP and will be calling them this evening to see if they can shed any light. I have no qualms in going to secondary as I have all the necessary documents except the most important thing obviously!!! In an ideal world, I would just buy the transportation letter, but at 160 dollars along with replacing the green card and then renewing the green card virtually at the same time, the extra money could come in handy if I don't have to pay it!! If I get answer from CBP, I will update you all. Thanks again all!

[ollywarren1 1]

Hi all, I have spoken to 3 different people at the embassy and they have all said the same thing. I do not require a transportation letter if I have a re entry permit. I questioned them about CBP and they said they all play by the same rules and assured 3 separate times that all I need is my re entry permit!! Thanks all for your help. Looking forward to getting back!

[Hypnos 6,576]

I'll be really surprised if this works without any hinderance, or perhaps even at all. I still think you are getting bunk information from the embassy.

Please post back and let us know how it goes.

Something that may be of interest: https://help.cbp.gov...mwtVkQ5bA%3D%3D

If your I-551 is stolen while outside the U.S.; please notify the police department in the jurisdiction in which your card was stolen to obtain a police report and contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to request a U.S. Government Transportation Letter. Please be aware; you may be required to complete their I-90: Application to Replace Permanent Resident and paying the fee at the time of your re-entry to the U.S.

Emphasis mine.

Edited October 25, 2012 by Hypnos

[ollywarren1 1]

Hi Hypnos, thanks for your post. I have too read that section and many like that and literally exhausted all the search results. Only 1 article I found though tailored it to my situation and said that a valid re entry permit suffices in lieu of a transportation letter. Nothing has said otherwise, and can the embassy be wrong 3 different times from 3 different people? I mean of course it's possible, but they have literally said the same thing, like exactly the same thing. I have grilled each of them on the differences between CBP and the US embassy and they have all said the same thing. I will let you know how it goes, flying in a month.

[hmh33 117]

I think it's very likely that you'll be allowed into the U.S. It's possible that you'll have to go through some hassle at the port of entry, and (worst-case) pay a fee. But I think it's very unlikely that you'd be refused entry. JMHO