A permanent resident (called lawful permanent resident or LPR) or conditional resident (CR) who has remained outside the United States for longer than one year, or beyond the validity period of a Re-entry Permit, will require a new immigrant visa to enter the United States and resume permanent residence. A provision exists under U.S. visa law for the issuance of a returning resident special immigrant visa to an LPR who remained outside the United States due to circumstances beyond their control. You can learn more about Returning Resident Visas on https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/returning-resident.html.
If you are an LPR unable to return to the United States within the travel validity period of the green card (1 year) or the validity of the Re-entry Permit (2 years), you can apply at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa. If your application for returning resident status is approved, this eliminates the requirement that an immigrant visa petition be filed on your behalf with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You will need to be interviewed for both your application for returning resident status, and usually later for the immigrant visa. An SB-1 applicant is required to establish eligibility for an immigrant visa and have a medical examination and you will be required to pay both visa processing fees and medical fees.
NOTE: If you are the spouse or child of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or of a civilian employee of the U.S. government stationed abroad on official orders, you may use your Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, to enter the United States even if it has expired. Therefore, you would not need a Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa, as long as you have not abandoned your LPR status, and your spouse or parent is returning to the United States.
Applying for a Returning Resident Visa
If you wish to apply for a Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa in Egypt, you should contact the U.S. Embassy Cairo in advance of your intended travel through our online contact form (at least three months in advance, if possible) to permit sufficient time for visa processing. If you are located in a different country, please review country-specific instructions and information by reviewing the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website where you will apply. As part of the visa application process, an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate is required.
Step 1: Determine Eligibility for a Returning Resident (SB-1) Immigrant Visa
Under provisions of immigration law, to qualify for returning resident status, you will need to prove to the Consular Officer that you:
- Had the status of a lawful permanent resident at the time of departure from the United States;
- Departed from the United States with the intention of returning and have not abandoned this intention; and
- Are returning to the United States from a temporary visit abroad and, if the stay abroad was protracted, this was caused by reasons beyond your control and for which you were not responsible.
Required Documentation
When applying for a Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa, you should submit the following forms and documents to the U.S. Embassy Cairo:
- A completed Application to Determine Returning Resident Status, Form DS-117
- Your Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551
- Your Re-entry Permit, if available
You must also submit supporting documents that show the following:
- Dates of travel outside of the United States (Examples: airline tickets, passport stamps, etc.)
- Proof of your ties to the United States and your intention to return (Examples: tax returns, and evidence of economic, family, and social ties to the United States)
- Proof that your protracted stay outside of the United States was for reasons beyond your control (Examples: medical incapacitation, employment with a U.S. company, etc.)
To apply for a Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa, submit the required documentation above through our online contact form. We will respond with an appointment date.
A consular officer will review your application and supporting documents to determine whether you meet the criteria for Returning Resident (SB-1) status. If you do, you must be eligible for the immigrant visa in all other respects in order to be issued a Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa.
Required Fees
- Fee for Application to Determine Returning Resident Status, Form DS-117. This fee is paid at the initial application.
If approved:
- Form DS-260 application processing fee
- Medical exam and vaccination fees
Please see the Fees Page to determine current costs: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html
Step 2 - Immigrant Visa Application and Documentation
The U.S. Embassy Cairo will provide you with specific instructions for the remainder of the processing for your Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa at the time of initial approval, if applicable. While exact instructions may vary by embassy or consulate, these instructions will include:
- Instructions for your medical examination, including a list of required vaccinations
- Instructions to fill out Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application.
- You must present your original passport;
- You must present two photographs, meeting Photograph Requirements
- A list of civil documents to bring to your immigrant visa interview, as requested by the embassy or consulate
If Your Application to Determine Returning Resident Status is Not Approved
If the consular officer determines that you do not meet the criteria for a Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa on the grounds that you have abandoned or relinquished your residence in the United States, it may or may not be possible to obtain a nonimmigrant visa depending on whether you have established a residence abroad to which you will return. If you cannot submit convincing evidence of compelling ties abroad, you may have to reapply for an immigrant visa on the same basis and under the same category by which you immigrated originally.
