Protect Your Permanent Resident Status While Abroad
With a green card, you can live and work in the United States, but what if your life requires you to spend months or even years overseas? Regardless of whether you’re leaving for family, work, or personal reasons, your status as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) may be in danger if you don’t have sufficient legal protection.
That’s where a reentry permit comes in. At The Rochester Law Firm, we help green card holders apply for and obtain reentry permits that preserve their US residency, avoid accusations of abandonment, and allow stress-free international travel.
A reentry permit is a travel document usually issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that allows lawful permanent residents to stay outside the United States for up to two years without losing their green card status. Think of it as a safety net; it shows US immigration officials that you’re leaving temporarily and plan to return.
You should apply before you leave if you intend to be overseas for longer than six months. Long periods of time spent outside the US without a valid reentry permit may be considered as abandoning your residency, which could result in your green card being denied entry or even revoked.
A reentry permit is essential if:
Let’s say you’re a green card holder who accepts a job overseas or returns to care for a sick relative. If you’re gone too long without a reentry permit, US officials at the border can:
But with a valid reentry permit, you signal your intent to return and maintain US ties. In countries that do not accept a green card alone, it acts as a passport substitute, making international travel way easier.
At The Rochester Law Firm, we follow the process:
We prepare and file for your reentry permit application with USCIS, ensuring all documents meet current immigration standards.
We’ll help schedule and prepare you for the mandatory fingerprinting appointment, which must be completed inside the US before you leave.
Depending on your travel schedule and past history of US residency, we provide customized guidance on when to apply.
In order to minimize travel disruption, we work with USCIS to have your reentry permit delivered overseas if you must depart prior to approval.
We’re here to protect your peace of mind, your mobility, and your immigration future.
Our legal team has worked with green cardholders across the globe, from students to executives, helping them stay compliant and confident while living their lives abroad.
If you’re planning to be outside the US for more than a few months, don’t risk your future here. A reentry permit gives you peace of mind, legal protection, and the flexibility to live life without borders.
Welcome to The Rochester Law Firm where experience meets compassion, and legal strategy meets life-changing outcomes.
