Reentry Permit Processing Time and I-131 Requirements for 2025

(U.S.) U.S. green card holders planning long trips abroad face a firm reminder from USCIS: use the newest paperwork, finish biometrics in the country, and expect months of waiting for a Reentry Permit. As of September 21, 2025, the agency is processing permits in six months to a year, and it will reject older editions of the travel form after April 3, 2025. The core rules haven’t shifted, but strict timing around biometrics and the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-131 now define the path for extended travel.

Policy and process updates for 2025

USCIS confirmed the latest travel-document packet in January 2025 and set April 3, 2025 as the mandatory date for using the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. USCIS will not accept earlier versions after that date.

Eligibility remains unchanged:
– Applicants must be lawful permanent residents or conditional residents who intend to keep U.S. residence while staying abroad for extended trips (generally longer than one year).
– The filing fee for Form I-131 remains $575.

Biometrics requirement (critical):
– The biometrics appointment (fingerprints, photo, signature) must be completed at a local Application Support Center while the applicant is physically in the United States.
– USCIS warns that missing or attempting to do biometrics abroad can lead to denial.
– USCIS recommends filing from inside the U.S. at least 60 days before travel to allow time to schedule and attend biometrics.

Travel after biometrics:
– Once biometrics are complete, applicants may leave the country while the case is pending.
– Applicants can request USCIS to deliver the finished Reentry Permit to a U.S. embassy or consulate for pickup.
– Keep a reliable U.S. mailing address on file in case the document is issued sooner than expected and mailed domestically.

Validity and renewals:
– A Reentry Permit is generally valid for up to two years and cannot be extended.
– If it expires and extended travel remains necessary, the person must file a new Form I-131.
– When filing a new request while an old permit is still valid, include the existing permit with the new filing to document travel history.

Processing times and case management

Typical processing (as of 2025):
– USCIS lists six months to one year for a Reentry Permit for most applicants, though some cases may take longer depending on workload and case specifics.
– Track progress online using the receipt number issued after filing.

Consular pickup and coordination:
– Those who requested consular pickup should coordinate with the embassy or consulate listed on the application and follow that post’s pickup instructions.
– The filing cost remains $575; USCIS has not announced fee changes for 2025.

Filing location and impact on travel:
– The entire application must be filed from inside the United States.
– This requirement, combined with the in-person biometrics rule, influences travel planning for many permanent residents.
– A denied or abandoned application can complicate future entries and residency questions.

Form edits and accuracy:
– USCIS refreshed terminology on forms in early 2025, including removal of certain gender markers across the travel-document set.
– These changes do not affect eligibility or the basic process, but they emphasize using the correct edition.
– Submitting the wrong version is a quick path to rejection — the correct edition is 01/20/25, and all pages should match that date. Check the date printed at the bottom of each form page before signing.

Travel while the case is pending:
– You may stay abroad while the case runs only after finishing biometrics in the U.S.
– Leaving before biometrics are taken can stall or cause denial of the case.
– After biometrics, USCIS allows travel and can send the finished permit to a consulate if requested.

To reduce delays and rejections:
– Send a complete packet the first time, including identity evidence and proof of permanent resident status:
– Copy of the green card (front and back), or
– Passport biographic page and admission stamp or other proof of permanent residence if the physical card is not yet issued.
– Include payment.
– If filing by mail, use tracked delivery and keep a copy of everything submitted.

Purpose and limitations of the Reentry Permit:
– The Reentry Permit helps prove intent to keep U.S. residence during long absences (typically a year or more).
– Border officers can review long absences; the permit acts as evidence that the person did not abandon residency.
– It is not a substitute for a passport and does not serve as a visa for other countries. It is a U.S. travel document for returning lawful permanent residents after lengthy stays abroad.

Step-by-step checklist (2025 expectations)

1. Gather identity documents and fee payment:
   • Green card copy (front and back), or passport biographic page plus admission stamp if the card is not yet available.
2. Complete the latest Form I-131 accurately:
   • Include travel dates and time spent outside the U.S. during the past five years.
   • Use the edition dated 01/20/25.
3. File from inside the United States:
   • Do not leave until after you attend biometrics at a local Application Support Center.
4. Attend the biometrics appointment:
   • Bring the appointment notice and valid ID. Missing this step can lead to denial.
5. After biometrics, travel if needed:
   • Request delivery of the permit to a U.S. consulate if you will be abroad during approval.
6. Use the permit on return:
   • Show the permit to demonstrate ongoing U.S. residence during a long absence.

Where to find official forms and status updates

• USCIS posts the current form and instructions on its website. The direct page for the travel document is Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.
• Check the edition date before filing: the required edition is 01/20/25; older editions are not accepted after April 3, 2025.
• Use the receipt number to check status online after USCIS receives the package.

Important planning warnings:
– Mailing the packet just before travel does not allow doing biometrics abroad. Biometrics must be completed in the U.S.
– Using outdated forms from third-party sites can lead to rejection.

Two common mistakes this year:
– Filing too close to travel and leaving before biometrics are taken.
– Using an outdated or incorrect edition of Form I-131.

If timing is tight, request consular pickup so you can receive the permit while abroad.

Who benefits and practical uses

• Employers and global HR teams sending employees overseas for a year or more benefit because the Reentry Permit preserves continuity when assignments shift or extend.
• Families caring for relatives abroad gain stability during extended absences.
• Conditional residents preserve a path back to daily life in the U.S. even if personal obligations require many months outside the country.
• Workers, students, and others assigned overseas on short notice rely on consular pickup and the ability to travel after biometrics.

For those filing, follow the checklist, use the correct edition 01/20/25, complete biometrics in the U.S., and allow for six months to a year of processing time to keep long trips on track.