(UNITED STATES) Many people ask if Re-Entry Permits can be given to Asylum Applicants from countries placed under an Enhanced Vetting Review. Based on current information, the answer is no. Re-entry permits and asylum are two separate immigration paths, with different purposes and different eligibility rules. The fact that a person comes from a country under stricter security checks does not change these basic rules.
How Re-Entry Permits Work for Green Card Holders
Re-entry permits are designed for lawful permanent residents and conditional permanent residents — people who already have a green card and have been approved to live in the United States permanently.
A re-entry permit works like a special travel document that helps protect permanent resident status when someone needs to stay outside the U.S. for an extended period. It is especially important when a permanent resident plans to be abroad for more than 6 months but less than 2 years.
Without a re-entry permit, a long trip can raise questions at the border about whether the person still intends the United States to be their main home. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, many green card holders use re-entry permits to avoid problems when they need to:
- care for a sick family member overseas,
- handle long business projects, or
- pursue extended studies abroad.
The key point: the person must already be a permanent resident to receive a re-entry permit. The permit does not create status; it only helps protect the status that already exists.
Why Asylum Applicants Are Not Eligible for Re-Entry Permits
Asylum Applicants are in a completely different situation. They are asking the United States for protection because they face past persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country. During this process, they do not yet have permanent resident status — they are waiting for a decision on their request for protection.
Because re-entry permits are only for permanent residents, people with pending asylum cases simply do not meet the basic requirement. It does not matter which country they are from, whether that country is peaceful or in conflict, or whether that country is subject to an Enhanced Vetting Review. The rule is based on immigration category, not nationality or security level.
Even if an asylum seeker has lived in the United States for many years while their case is pending, they remain not a permanent resident. Until the asylum case is approved and later converted into a green card, the person cannot apply for a re-entry permit.
When Asylum Leads to a Green Card and Re-Entry Permit Options
If an asylum case is approved, the person becomes an asylee. After holding asylum status for a certain period, many asylees may then apply for lawful permanent resident status. Once they receive a green card, they are considered permanent residents.
At that later stage, like any other permanent resident, they may request a re-entry permit if they need to spend an extended time outside the United States. The important detail is timing: during the initial asylum application or while asylum is still pending, a re-entry permit is not available. It only becomes an option after permanent residence is granted.
Travel Options for Asylum Applicants with Pending Cases
Although re-entry permits are not available to asylum applicants, some who must travel while their cases are pending may be able to use advance parole instead. Advance parole is a different kind of travel document and can allow certain non-permanent residents to leave and return to the United States without needing a visa.
For people in the asylum process, advance parole is usually the correct travel tool — not a re-entry permit. However, travel while an asylum case is pending can be very risky. If someone who fears persecution returns to the same country where they said they were unsafe, that trip can raise serious doubts about their claim.
Because of those risks, many lawyers strongly suggest that asylum seekers speak with a qualified immigration attorney before making any travel plans, even with advance parole. An attorney can explain how travel might affect:
- the pending asylum case,
- current work authorization, and
- future eligibility for permanent residence.
For official information about travel documents for permanent residents and other groups, the USCIS – International Travel as a Permanent Resident website provides detailed guidance on international travel and related documents for green card holders and others at USCIS – International Travel as a Permanent Resident.
Role of Enhanced Vetting Review for Certain Countries
Some countries undergo an Enhanced Vetting Review, meaning the United States applies extra security checks to nationals from those countries. This can affect visa processing, security screenings, and how quickly some applications move forward.
However, this security review does not change the basic rule about who can receive Re-Entry Permits:
- A person from an Enhanced Vetting country who is already a permanent resident may apply for a re-entry permit, subject to normal security checks.
- A person from the same country who is only an asylum applicant cannot apply for a re-entry permit at all, because they do not have the required permanent resident status.
So, while the level of security screening may differ by country, eligibility for re-entry permits remains the same: only permanent residents and conditional permanent residents can receive them.
Quick Comparison Table
| Situation | Eligible for Re-Entry Permit? | Typical Travel Document (if not eligible) |
|---|---|---|
| Lawful/Conditional Permanent Resident (green card holder) | Yes | Re-Entry Permit |
| Asylum Applicant (pending case) | No | Possibly Advance Parole (risky) |
| Asylee who later becomes Permanent Resident | Yes (after green card) | Re-Entry Permit |
Practical Tips for People in Each Situation
For permanent residents considering long trips abroad:
- Apply for a re-entry permit before leaving if you plan to stay outside the United States for more than 6 months.
- Keep proof that the United States remains your main home (lease, job, family ties, etc.).
For Asylum Applicants with pending cases:
- Remember that Re-Entry Permits are not an option until you become a permanent resident.
- If you must travel, consult an immigration lawyer about advance parole and how travel could impact your case.
- Avoid travel to the country from which you requested protection, as it can seriously damage your claim.
For asylees who later become permanent residents:
- Once you receive a green card, you may consider a re-entry permit if you need extended time abroad.
- Review USCIS guidance carefully before applying, and keep copies of all documents.
Key takeaway: Re-entry permits protect the status of permanent residents. Asylum and advance parole serve different needs for people who are still seeking safety and a long-term future in the United States.
Re-entry permits are exclusively for lawful or conditional permanent residents holding green cards; asylum applicants lack that eligibility. If asylum is approved and the person later adjusts to permanent resident status, they may then request a re-entry permit. Asylum applicants considering travel can sometimes use advance parole, but travel risks undermining asylum claims. Seek advice from an immigration attorney and follow USCIS guidance before traveling while a case is pending.
