Re entry permit Puns

Just wanted to give an update and some tips to any ARC Holders who are leaving Korea and returning to Korea within 1 year. As you may know, back in June 2020, we are no longer allow to leave Korea without a re-entry permit, except for certain visa holders.

1.) Apply online. It is highly encourage to apply for your re-entry permit online via HiKoea. No, something is not wrong with your internet browser. This function is only available in Korean, their built in English function is glitched and the page will keep going back to Korean (TIP: Use Google Chrome and translate the entire page it needed). Also, 1345 will tell you that it is the only way to get it. You must apply for the re-entry permit 4 days before traveling (holiday and weekends do not count). There no way around this 4-day waiting period, 1345 will also tell you to reschedule your flight if it is less than 4-days.

2.) Apply in person at the airport immigration. There are many worrisome cases of people getting turned away, arguing with the immigration offer or waiting hours ahead of the flight to get it...etc.

3.) Apply at your local immigration office before your schedule flight. No experience for this step but I heard some people were able to get it by making an appointment or walking in and waiting hours.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

My schedule flight is for Sunday 01/03/2020 and I found out that I needed to travel on Wednesday 12/30/2020. When I went online to apply, the earliest date I could chose to start my permit was Tuesday 01/05/2020. My only option to keep my travel date was to apply in-person and risk getting turned away.

Sunday finally came and I arrived at the airport 6 hours before my schedule flight. When I got to the airport immigration service center at the departure level. I was trying to get a number to wait in line but since there was no one, the clerk just told me to go straight to the counter. As I was fumbling through my purse, before I even said anything, the clerk immediately ask me for my passport, ARC card and 30,000 won cash (TIP: discount is given online). He handed me 3 forms to fill out. You can also get these forms from HiKorea and fill them out in advance to save time. The put the one time use re-entry permit sticker in my passport and I was in and out in in 5 minutes or less. YAY!

By the way, you must get your re-entry permit before you check-in for your flight. Silly me, I had so much luggage, I thought I could bag-check first. Sadly you cannot

USCIS online case status checker showed that my old biometrics (from 2018) were reused on 10 March 2021! This was after frequent calls and conversations with two different Tier 2 agents. I initially needed to be back in Australia in February 2021 for a number of reasons, but mainly to visit and help look after my elderly grandfather (which I wrote on my application). I am based in SoCal. I will post my timeline below:

28 December 2020: Mailed in the I-131 (re-entry permit) application via USPS to the Phoenix Lockbox

30 December 2020: USPS tracking showed the application was delivered

17 January 2021: Sent an email to lockboxsupport@uscis.dhs.gov to enquire about the status - I never received a response

18 January 2021: Called the USCIS Contact Centre (800-375-5283) - I was told that I would just need to wait as processing times had increased

1 February 2021: Called the Contact Centre again - I was told again that nothing could be done and I simply needed to wait

4 February 2021: USCIS status was updated - Case & fingerprint fee were received with a receipt number (I received Form I-797 NOA in the mail around 7 February as well as an e-Notification via text message and email). The NOA stated that my case had been sent to Nebraska Service Centre.

22 February 2021: Called the Contact Centre again since I was getting desperate and needed to leave for Australia already - again, no helpful advice/information and was told that I needed to wait

25 February 2021: Called the Contact Centre again - I explained my situation and my case became "urgent". I was told that a Tier 2 agent will call me and was given a service item number.

2 March 2021: Tier 2 agent called in the morning - I explained that I needed to be back in Australia and the reason I applied for the re-entry permit was because there is uncertainty around me being able to return within 6 months due to Australia's ban on overseas travel. The agent just told me that I could leave and come back within 6 months (which I obviously know I can do on a green card). He provided no helpful advice or information on my case. I felt super disappointed.

5 March 2021: Called the Contact Centre and explained my situation again - I was told that a Tier 2 agent would call me and was given a verification number. He told me that if a biometrics appointment was scheduled while I was outside the US and I was unable to return in time that I must write a letter to the addr

I sent in my I-131 (re-entry permit) application in early Aug 2020 and got a receipt notice on Aug 19. Online status checker says "Fingerprint Fee Was Accepted, Nebraska Service Center is working on the case" since Aug 17.

For those who applied for I-131 re-entry permit (preferably processed through Nebraska Service Center), how long did it take for you to get your biometrics appointment notice? I have a flight booked in a few weeks but am wondering whether I should postpone it, but even then I don't know how long I'll have to push it back...

Seattle office. Anyone have any experience of how long it takes between filing and the biometrics appointment?

And also if they are reusing biometrics (~ 5 years old)

Thanks

As the validity of my re-entry permit is nearing its expiration date, I'm starting to consider my options so I don't lose my visa. As I'd rather not return to Japan any time soon due to the restrictions, I'm now looking into requesting an extension of the re-entry permit.

I've found out that it's an option offered at the Japan embassy of New Zealand, though I'm not from this country. LINK

Has anybody tried to request an extension for their re-entry permit? How did it go, and for how much longer were you able to extend it?

Hello,

My law firm who is handling my I-131 re-entry permit just shipped off the firms. Tracking the package using the tracking number provided on the courier websites says the forms are still in transit. This got me thinking... at what time is my I-131 considered filed? When it was popped into the post? When it arrives at a USCIS facility? I have to leave the country in a few days and would be devastated if I left before it was considered filed.

Can anybody advise?

Note, I have to leave very soon and can't wait weeks (actually seems like months) before the 'notice of receipt' is sent, though I am told that is simply a notice USCIS sends out and it is considered filed before that.

Thanks

I know this was probably asked already but i can't find the information, sorry for redundancy.

Background:

I am a permanent resident of the usa with a green card and everything. I have friends, bank accounts, relationships, and belongings, in the usa, and i also pay taxes for a property (house). I decided to study abroad to Argentina to return to the usa and get a PhD and end up working here, i already emailed various universities regarding their PhD programs and everything, so from the get go my intent was always to come back and still is. I return to the usa every 5 months (6 at max) and thought it'd be fine to do but i got told to get a re-entry permit. This thing in total is worth about 650 dollars and i want to make sure i have all the information cause 1. im scared to lose all that money and 2. im afraid to lose my green card, which is something i really could use to study and eventually work here.

Questions:

I am in the usa for a bit over a month before i leave again (though i will come back about a month after) and i was wondering if the wait time is way over that, if i could schedule the necessary appointments for either february or july/june of 2021, the next dates i would travel back, or, do i have to remain in the usa all that time?

Any information or references are very much appreciated, thanks in advance!

Today marks one month since I received my receipt for my i-131 application for re-entry permit. Has anyone else applied recently and gotten your biometric appointment scheduled? I'm sure everything must be backed up right now, I just have no idea by how much.

1. How long did it take for you to get your biometrics appointment after filing?
2. If I'm not able to file for re entry permit before I leave, is it okay to stay abroad for 11 months, then come back here in the US for a short visit, then stay abroad again for another 11 months? Is that going to affect my green card?

I have applied for the re entry permit yesterday, and got this answer by email today:

“학기가 마무리되지 않은 상태이기 때문에 러시아에 있을 때 출석이 되지 않아 학교에서 변동 신고할 경우 체류 변경될 수 있습니다. 이에 동의할 경우, 재입국 허가 "신청사유서"에 '러시아에 있을 때 출석이 되지 않아 학교에서 변동 신고할 경우 체류 변경될 수 있다는 사실에 동의함'을 자필로 작성해주시고 다시 업로드해주시기 바랍니다. 담당기관” But my semester has been shortened, so this week is the last one. What is the correct course of action?

Specifically, how do I file it so it gets expedited processing? And are there any caveats I should know?

My lawyer is almost impossible to get a hold of, and I'm wondering if I could be able to do this myself?

I’ve been studying in my home country since 2017 and I have no foreign income. I have been periodically flying back to the US (e.g. November 2018 and August 2020-present). I was wondering if I needed to file tax returns even if I had no income at all? And I was only studying in my home country?

Has anyone left the country and got a re-entry permit? As far as I understand it's obtainable at the airport and shouldn't take long, so I was going to just plan for an extra 30 minutes or so.

They also promised an online system to be online by mid June but I can't find it. Anyone know what's up with that?

I'm a permanent resident with a re entry permit and i am going back to the states in two weeks but have now noticed that my reentry permit only has one of my surnames (last names) on it. I have my countrys passport and my green card with both last names. Will this be an issue upon arrival??

Hi guys, sorry, I'm not sure who else to ask. I'm an American here on a long-term student visa, but have to leave back home for a little bit due to family issues. I know I have to apply for a re-entry permit, but if I try to file an application on the HIKorea website, it says I'm not eligible to file a civil petition. All the appointments are booked up at the immigration office.

Has anyone else had any issues with this? Should I just go into the immigration office, or is it possible to fill out the re-entry permit just at the airport? Any tips on getting approved? I need to return but I'm stressing, lol. Any information is welcome.

Thank you!

Context: I’m leaving Japan for 2 years but plan to come back. I currently have a 5 year humanities visa with my current employer, but my contract with them will end a week or so before I depart Japan.

Will I be able to use a re-entry permit (not the free special re-entry permit, but the ¥6000 multiple re-entry one) to come back despite not being employed anymore?

UPDATE: as reference for those with the same question in future, I just spoke to an immigration officer and they said I cannot get a re-entry permit if my contract of employment expires before or during my time outside of Japan. ‘Tis a shame but it makes sense.

UDPATE 2: before leaving the country I moved house, and therefore my 住民票. Based on the advice my fellow Redditors gave me (thanks), I decided to try one more time at the new Immigration Office - surprise surprise I got granted the re-entry permit with no questions asked. The whole process was over in minutes. It seems I was just very unlucky the first time I tried.

Has anyone gotten one at the airport before? I don't mind showing up early, but I was hoping someone could confirm that they've actually done it.

Last year I received a green card (DV-1), but I have been outside of US for more than 6 months. Last time I was there was in December of 2019. I am currently on my last year in university in my country of origin. I understand I need to go back to US so as not to lose my green card, but I still need to finish my degree here, and I assume a re-entry permit allows that. What I want to know is: what are the odds of the USCIS denying me the permit? I can't stay in US for long, until I get my biometrics done at most. It seems my degree and my green card are on the line, and I would really like to save both.

Hello,

I’m a South Korean citizen residing in Canada. I hold a working permit that expires at the end of this month. Due to a personal matter, I have to travel back to South Korea to get some documents and I’ve already applied for a work permit renewal several months ago. However due to COVID-19, my work permit renewal application status has been stuck on ‘submitted’ process. With a South Korean passport, I can enter Canada with visitor visa (for a certain period). So my concern is will there be any issue on re entry to Canada even though my visa has expired.

Hey folks.

I've got an f-6 visa and I left Korea at the start of May with my family. We're scheduled to return at the end of July. I've been reading about the new requirements for re-entry permits, and I just want to make sure I understand correctly.

Since we left before the requirements came into effect, we obviously can't have applied for a re-entry permit, so I don't need one to get back in, correct? Or is there some way to apply for one online?

The Hi Korea website has a section for applying for re-entry permits, so I'm confused about whether or not I need to go through that before returning.

Appreciate any info!

My boyfriend is a Russian national but has a U.S. Green Card.

His Russian external passport expired a while ago. We are on the west coast, so traveling to the three remaining Russian consulates (in DC, Houston, and NYC) for the required appointments would be a burden.

From Googling around, https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Resources/B5en.pdf explicitly mentions that

> You may also want to get a reentry permit if you plan on traveling outside the United States and cannot or do not wish to get a passport from your home country. Many countries throughout the world may allow you to use a reentry permit much like you would use a passport—placing necessary visas and entry and exit stamps in the permit—so you may use it as your main travel document. Be sure to check with any country you plan to visit about specific requirements before you travel.

However, it's not clear exactly which countries accept the US Re-Entry Permit instead of a passport. Does anyone have prior experience with this and would know?

Countries of relevant in particular are Germany, Japan, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and the Cook Islands.

Thanks!

Since it'll probably come up: Russia requires dropping off and picking up immigration forms in person - no couriers allowed - to renew a passport. There exist some websites that allow you to renew by mail for a hefty fee, but those mail services are technically not legal.

Hello everybody! First reddit post here :)

I’m wondering if anyone could help me understand if I need to get a multiple re-entry permit.

I just moved/ got to Japan on Sunday (despite the typhoon) for my working holiday. I’ve registered my residence card today, my plan is to try to be in Japan for the next year hopefully I’ll find a job soon. While I’m in Japan though i’d like to take advantage of being so close to other East Asian countries.

Do I need to get a multiple entry permit as well as having my residence card?

Thanks in advance!

In a previous post, I asked about keeping PR while out of Japan. More specifically:

> If one were to leave Japan for a number of years, they either need to re-enter at least once every year, or apply for a re-entry permit for 5 years. Does this re-entry permit application need specific justification? can it be denied?

And I got some pretty authoritative answers, along the line of "Sure that re-entry permit can be denied", "Got to show some intent of going back", "Just saying you're moving for work without evidence you're coming back, ain't gonna cut it" etc. etc.

Well, I just got back from immigration where I applied for and received a 5 year re-entry permit. And since things differed quite drastically from what I was told in that thread, I figured I'd post an update for the sake of anyone searching for that info in the future:

Application form was the same it's always been (could swear that's the one they used 10 years ago, before the system changed). That form contains zero mention of employment situation/plans (other than "Occupation"), "ties to Japan" or plans while abroad (other than a very vague "business or tourism" etc).

Immigration clerk who took my application did not ask any question, other than confirming I wanted a multiple entry. Sent me for a ¥6,000 stamp, and 30 mins later, I walked out with a 5-year re-entry permit.

I suppose it is conceivable that the immigration counter person could have asked me some questions and denied my application on that basis. But as it is, nothing in my application gave any indication of my plans, my "intent" to come back, or anything, other than the fact I had permanent residence, and was planning to be out of the country for at least 18 months.

(I also talked to someone who had just applied for the 3rd permit and was going on 8 years living out of Japan. Without the slightest issue)

Hello,

I am a Canadian and I was wondering what documents I need to provide for the Canada Re-entry Permit. Is it just my passport and driver's license or do I need a Canadian Permanent resident card?

Thanks!