Returning Residents
Green card holders are expected to maintain their permanent residence inside the United States. As such, permanent residents are allowed to travel outside the United States for periods of less than one year only. Staying outside the United States for more than one year may result in your green card being revoked. Permanent residents who were unable to return to the United States for reasons beyond their control within the travel validity period, may be eligible for a special immigrant Returning Resident (SB-1) visa.
To qualify for such status, you must show:
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That you were a Lawful Permanent Resident when you departed the United States,
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That when you departed you intended to return to the U.S. and have maintained this intent,
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That you are returning from a temporary visit abroad and if the stay was protracted, it was caused by reasons beyond your control and for which you were not responsible, and
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That you are eligible for the immigrant visa in all other respects.
If you have lost your permanent resident status and you wish to apply for Returning Resident visa, you must submit evidence to support the above requirements along with the "Application to Determine Returning Resident Status" (form DS-117) and a fee of $275. In addition to supporting your application with evidence of your previous status as a Legal Permanent Resident you must also offer proof of continuing ties to the U.S.
To submit the Returning Resident application, you can come to the Immigrant Visa Unit of the Consular Section between 2:00-3:00 PM on Thursdays, excluding U.S. and Moroccan holidays. You should bring your Alien Registration ("A") Number and passport with you.
If the application for returning resident status is approved by the consular officer, the immigrant visa unit will give you further information on the process of the returning resident (SB-1) visa. Please note that the $275 fee is non-refundable if your application is refused.
Download form DS-117: http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/DS-0117.pdf
Questions?
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Please email IVCasablanca@state.gov
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Phone inquiries will ONLY be accepted Monday through Friday 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm at 0661-99-83-64. If you are calling from the United States, please dial +212-661-99-83-64. During Ramadan, the phone hours will be from 12.00pm to 1.30pm.
