Returning Residents
APPLYING FOR READMISSION AT A U.S. PORT OF ENTRY
If you are a permanent resident alien returning to the United States after being overseas less than 12 months (364 days or less), you may apply for readmission by presenting your Alien Registration Receipt Card (“Green Card”) to the immigration authorities at a U.S. port of entry. You must also be able to show that you have not abandoned your permanent U.S. residence.
EXCEPTIONS FOR MILITARY AND U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
The 12-month time limitation does not apply to the spouse or child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or of a civilian employee of the U.S. Government stationed abroad pursuant to official orders. In this case, the spouse or child must present the Alien Registration Receipt Card (“Green Card”), not have relinquished residence, and be preceding or accompanying the member or employee, or be following to join the member or employee in the United States within four months of the return of the member or employee.
REENTRY PERMIT
A permanent resident alien who intends to remain abroad for 12 months or longer should, at least 30 days prior to the proposed date of departure from the United States, apply while in the United States to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - USCIS (www.uscis.gov) for a Reentry Permit. The permit has a maximum validity of two years and may not be extended. If a Reentry Permit is obtained the alien may use it to reenter the United States within the period of validity of the permit. Every alien applying for readmission must satisfy the immigration authorities that he or she is eligible in all respects for admission.
RETURNING RESIDENT VISAS (SB1)
Permanent resident aliens, who were unable to return to the United States for reasons beyond their control within the travel validity period of the Alien Registration Receipt Card, or the Reentry Permit, may apply for a special immigrant Returning Resident (SB1) visa.
To qualify for Returning Resident Status, you must show:
• that you were a lawful permanent resident when you departed the United States,
• that when you departed you intended to return to the United States and have maintained this intent,
• that you are returning from a temporary visit abroad and, if the stay was protracted, it was caused by reasons beyond your control and for which you were not responsible,
• and that you are eligible for the immigrant visa in all other respects.
If you have lost your permanent resident status, and you wish to apply for a "Returning Resident visa", you must submit evidence to support the above requirements along with the "Application to Determine Returning Resident Status" (Form DS-117) and a fee of US$ 400 (Please note: All fees are subject to change).
Payment is accepted in cash (US$ or D.kr.), Danish check or credit card - the current exchange rate can be verified on our website: http://denmark.usembassy.gov.
If the application for Returning Resident Status is approved by the consular officer, the Immigrant Visa Unit will send you detailed information on how to proceed applying for the visa. Please note that the fee of US$ 400 is non-refundable if your application is denied.
Form DS-117 can be downloaded from the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affair's website: http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/
You may submit your application and pay the fee in person during our walk-in hours (please see "Contact Info."), or you may forward your application to our mailing address (if you are staying in Denmark):
American Embassy
Attn: Immigrant Visa Unit
Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24
2100 Copenhagen Ø
Denmark.
If you are temporarily living in Sweden, you must submit you application to our Embassy in Stockholm.