LPR just arrived back in the US after 11 months and 3 weeks abroad

[Cewseww6 16]

Hi,

 

I just wanted to share my experience as an LPR travelling back to the US from Europe in these times.

 

We traveled from Stockholm last Wednesday, to Copenhagen, Denmark, and then we flew to Chicago O'Hare, which was our Port of Entry. It's one of the 13 airports open due to the proclamation the President made earlier this Spring.

I was kind of worried, been abroad since last summer, and we planned to come back in March but then beloved COVID-19 hit everywhere and changed the world. But they CBP officer at customs was super friendly and only asked once how long I've been abroad. Told him I came back with a week to spare before 12 months hit. He said nothing, no notes in my passport or anything.

"Welcome back" and we walked to get our bags.

 

Not sure if this is helpful for anyone because I made it back before 12 months, but I wanted to share my experience is all. Now I have applied for a Re-entry Permit because we have to return in a few weeks and we have every intention on moving back before that expires. Hopefully I get the Re-entry Permit within the next few weeks, concerned about the biometrics and if the local office will be open.

[Mounat02 63]

10 hours ago, Cewseww6 said:

I was kind of worried, been abroad since last summer, and we planned to come back in March but then beloved COVID-19 hit everywhere and changed the world. But they CBP officer at customs was super friendly and only asked once how long I've been abroad. Told him I came back with a week to spare before 12 months hit. He said nothing, no notes in my passport or anything.

"Welcome back" and we walked to get our bags.

That's great news. Usually, they don't make any notes in the passport, they would go into the system. And Covid-19 travel difficulties nowadays more than explain, and justify, any long stay abroad. Even if you had been over the 12 month mark, it is easily arguable that you were trying to get back here in the last 3 months. That you didn't get a hard time getting back in may be due to your nice smile (just guessing). It could also be due to your being from Sweden. Nationals of other, less desirable, countries may receive a different treatment.

 

Whatever the reason, welcome back!

[Cewseww6 16]

9 hours ago, Mounat02 said:

That's great news. Usually, they don't make any notes in the passport, they would go into the system. And Covid-19 travel difficulties nowadays more than explain, and justify, any long stay abroad. Even if you had been over the 12 month mark, it is easily arguable that you were trying to get back here in the last 3 months. That you didn't get a hard time getting back in may be due to your nice smile (just guessing). It could also be due to your being from Sweden. Nationals of other, less desirable, countries may receive a different treatment.

 

Whatever the reason, welcome back!

 

I even had all the paperwork for my flights that were canceled if CBP would ask questions. But yeah, could've been my smile  And Sweden is not so popular at the moment, believe me...

 

Oh well, we made it, been in quarantine for one week, one to go, then we can start dealing with other problems. Hopefully USCIS expedite my reentry application.

[Cewseww6 16]

My only concern is the Biometrics... Not sure if the local support service office is open and all..

Going to start contacting USCIS next week to see.

[millefleur 5,047]

5 hours ago, Cewseww6 said:

My only concern is the Biometrics... Not sure if the local support service office is open and all..

Going to start contacting USCIS next week to see.

Application Support Centers (which handle biometrics) are supposed to do a "phased reopen" on July 13th.

 

 

[Cewseww6 16]

15 hours ago, millefleur said:

Application Support Centers (which handle biometrics) are supposed to do a "phased reopen" on July 13th.

 

 

Thanks!

Did it say anything about walk-ins?

 

[igoyougoduke 1,674]

2 minutes ago, Cewseww6 said:

Thanks!

Did it say anything about walk-ins?

 

no there is no walkin 

[Cewseww6 16]

2 minutes ago, James120383 said:

no there is no walkin 

Dang it.

Well, it's going to be a exciting next few weeks. I have to leave the country on 7/21 for work and it's going to really suck if I need to fly back for the biometrics...

[dunebuggy 18]

On 6/24/2020 at 8:02 PM, Cewseww6 said:

Hi,

 

I just wanted to share my experience as an LPR travelling back to the US from Europe in these times.

 

We traveled from Stockholm last Wednesday, to Copenhagen, Denmark, and then we flew to Chicago O'Hare, which was our Port of Entry. It's one of the 13 airports open due to the proclamation the President made earlier this Spring.

I was kind of worried, been abroad since last summer, and we planned to come back in March but then beloved COVID-19 hit everywhere and changed the world. But they CBP officer at customs was super friendly and only asked once how long I've been abroad. Told him I came back with a week to spare before 12 months hit. He said nothing, no notes in my passport or anything.

"Welcome back" and we walked to get our bags.

 

Not sure if this is helpful for anyone because I made it back before 12 months, but I wanted to share my experience is all. Now I have applied for a Re-entry Permit because we have to return in a few weeks and we have every intention on moving back before that expires. Hopefully I get the Re-entry Permit within the next few weeks, concerned about the biometrics and if the local office will be open.

Very helpful report, thank you! We're about to do the same in a couple weeks

[Cewseww6 16]

10 minutes ago, dunebuggy said:

Very helpful report, thank you! We're about to do the same in a couple weeks

Good luck!!

[dunebuggy 18]

Following up on this. We passed through Atlanta yesterday, 360 days from the last entrance the US. The border officer asked us a few questions sternly (where are you coming from, where do you live, how long have you lived there, what do you do there) and sent us on our way. The place was pretty deserted.

Edited July 10, 2020 by dunebuggy

[Nitas_man 3,100]

On 6/24/2020 at 11:02 AM, Cewseww6 said:

Hi,

 

I just wanted to share my experience as an LPR travelling back to the US from Europe in these times.

 

We traveled from Stockholm last Wednesday, to Copenhagen, Denmark, and then we flew to Chicago O'Hare, which was our Port of Entry. It's one of the 13 airports open due to the proclamation the President made earlier this Spring.

I was kind of worried, been abroad since last summer, and we planned to come back in March but then beloved COVID-19 hit everywhere and changed the world. But they CBP officer at customs was super friendly and only asked once how long I've been abroad. Told him I came back with a week to spare before 12 months hit. He said nothing, no notes in my passport or anything.

"Welcome back" and we walked to get our bags.

 

Not sure if this is helpful for anyone because I made it back before 12 months, but I wanted to share my experience is all. Now I have applied for a Re-entry Permit because we have to return in a few weeks and we have every intention on moving back before that expires. Hopefully I get the Re-entry Permit within the next few weeks, concerned about the biometrics and if the local office will be open.

Good work 👍 We got a nasty note that disappeared when the passport was renewed but that was about it

[Cewseww6 16]

On 7/10/2020 at 7:43 PM, dunebuggy said:

Following up on this. We passed through Atlanta yesterday, 360 days from the last entrance the US. The border officer asked us a few questions sternly (where are you coming from, where do you live, how long have you lived there, what do you do there) and sent us on our way. The place was pretty deserted.

 

Good for you guys, congrats!!

Yeah the airports are pretty empty, same with the planes.

 

We're heading out of the US on Wednesday, flying to Chicago tomorrow morning. Exciting stuff.

[Cewseww6 16]

Here's an update for everybody:

 

So last week, I managed to get a hold of a Tier 2 supervisor at the USCIS and she couldn't really help me. She did see in the system that I was scheduled to receive an appointment for Biometrics, but she had no idea when that will be booked.

I asked her if I could just show up at the local ASC and do a walk-in without the appointment. The only answer I got was "I don't know, but you can try."

 

So today, the ASC opened at 8 am, first time since March or whatever. Not too many people. Happened to meet a supervisor who had another person see me. I explained my situation, that I'm leaving the country tomorrow and everything. He took my papers and walked in.

About 15 minutes later he came out and said he cannot do anything. I guess it was a crazy day for them today. But he wanted our phone number in case something came up. So we left, kinda disappointed.

 

Less than 2 hours later, he calls me back, asking me to come by the ASC again before 3 pm. 20 minutes later I show up and talk to him again.

This guy was a true hero, he managed to get me a walk-in and I could leave my fingerprints!! How awesome!!

So I managed to send in the I-131 application and get my fingerprints taken within 5 weeks. BUT, this is not the ordinary. No guarantee whatsoever. I was very, VERY lucky.

 

So we're leaving the US with the knowledge that they have all they need to approve my travel document! Great trip!

[new day 1]

On 7/20/2020 at 10:21 PM, Cewseww6 said:

Here's an update for everybody:

 

So last week, I managed to get a hold of a Tier 2 supervisor at the USCIS and she couldn't really help me. She did see in the system that I was scheduled to receive an appointment for Biometrics, but she had no idea when that will be booked.

I asked her if I could just show up at the local ASC and do a walk-in without the appointment. The only answer I got was "I don't know, but you can try."

 

So today, the ASC opened at 8 am, first time since March or whatever. Not too many people. Happened to meet a supervisor who had another person see me. I explained my situation, that I'm leaving the country tomorrow and everything. He took my papers and walked in.

About 15 minutes later he came out and said he cannot do anything. I guess it was a crazy day for them today. But he wanted our phone number in case something came up. So we left, kinda disappointed.

 

Less than 2 hours later, he calls me back, asking me to come by the ASC again before 3 pm. 20 minutes later I show up and talk to him again.

This guy was a true hero, he managed to get me a walk-in and I could leave my fingerprints!! How awesome!!

So I managed to send in the I-131 application and get my fingerprints taken within 5 weeks. BUT, this is not the ordinary. No guarantee whatsoever. I was very, VERY lucky.

 

So we're leaving the US with the knowledge that they have all they need to approve my travel document! Great trip!

Hi, Cewseww6:

 

     Thanks for sharing your experience and it is inspiring. I have one question: when you tried to walk-in for biometrics, did  you already get the notice for biometrics appointment ? If not, what 'papers' did you bring ASC? Thanks.