Immigrant Visas

Returning Resident Status

Consideration for returning resident status will only be given to Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR's) who left the United States with the intention of returning; have not abandoned this intention; and are returning to the U.S. from a temporary visit abroad. If the stay was protracted, the LPR will be required to show that this was caused by reasons beyond his or her control, and for which he or she was not responsible.

Please note that conditional LPRs, who did not have the condition removed, cannot apply for returning resident status.

If you believe that you may be eligible for returning resident status, you are required to:

• Download, print and complete Form DS-117;
• Download, print and complete a credit card payment form;
• Furnish evidence to show that you:
• had the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of departure from the U.S.;
• left the U.S. with the intention of returning, have not abandoned this intention, and are returning to the U.S. from a temporary visit abroad; and
• your stay was protracted for reasons beyond your control, and for which you cannot be held responsible.

Examples of such evidence include, but are not limited to, documentation regarding your status in the U.S. and dates of travel, proof that you have continued to file U.S. tax returns and maintained economic or social ties to the U.S., and evidence that the protracted stay was due to circumstances beyond your control. Do NOT send original supporting documents or passports.

In defining the term "temporary" some of the elements that are examined are:

1.  Reason for absence: traveler should have a definite reason for traveling abroad temporarily;
2. Termination date: The visa abroad should be expected to terminate within a relatively short period, fixed by some early event; and
3. Place of home or employment: The applicant must expect to return to the United States as an actual home or place of employment. He or she must possess the requisite intent to do so at the time of their departure, and maintain it during the course of their sojourn.

The originally completed and signed Form DS-117, credit card payment form, evidence of LPR status and reasons for remaining outside the U.S. for more than one year, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope should be mailed to:

Immigrant Visa Unit
American Consulate General
Museumplein 19
1071 DJ  AMSTERDAM

Review of the application by a consular officer will take approximately six weeks. We will notify you by mail whether or not the application has been successful and advise you concerning the next steps you will be required to take. Processing time for interview and issuance of a returning resident visa, is expected to take approximately three months.