Re-entry permit for minor children

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Hi, apologies if this is in the wrong forum.

We recently received our green cards and are back in our country of origin, but it looks like there may be some hiccups with the timeframe of making the final move and it may not happen within an acceptable timeframe. I am considering returning to the US to apply for a re-entry permit, and realise this may take some weeks. From what I have gathered, children under 16 do not need biometrics, so is it possible for me to apply for their re-entry permits even if they are not physically present in the US? I am assuming they will need them and will not be able to "piggyback" on mine, is this correct?

I plan to do all the necessary in terms of filing tax returns etc while we are away from the US.

Edited January 19, 2014 by SusieQQQ

[Hypnos 6,576]

Anyone applying for a re-entry permit must be physically present in the US when they file:

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Anyone applying for a re-entry permit must be physically present in the US when they file:

Thanks, from what I understood the physical presence requirement was for the biometrics, hence my question.

(Once you've done the biometrics, you can leave and get the re-entry permit sent to the embassy/consulate where you will be residing. Children under 16 do not need to do biometrics as far as I know. )

[Hypnos 6,576]

To me that says that they will have a biometrics appointment to have their photograph taken, they just won't be fingerprinted. It makes sense, since a re-entry permit is a photo ID document, and they'd need to have a photo of them to put on it.

The only exception may be if they already have valid biometrics on-file for the children then those may just be re-used instead. Biometrics, once captured, are only valid for 15 months.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

To me that says that they will have a biometrics appointment to have their photograph taken, they just won't be fingerprinted. It makes sense, since a re-entry permit is a photo ID document, and they'd need to have a photo of them to put on it.

The only exception may be if they already have valid biometrics on-file for the children then those may just be re-used instead. Biometrics, once captured, are only valid for 15 months.

They have photos of the children from June, when our immigrant visas were issued. They didn't take photos of the kids at POE for the green card, only the adults.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Then you might be good. I guess you won't know until you apply.