Immigrant Visas
Returning Resident Status (SB-1 Visa)
A permanent resident alien is allowed re-entry into the United States within one year from the date of departure from the United States. If you obtained a re-entry permit prior to departing the U.S. you can re-enter the U.S. before the expiry of the re-entry permit. If you have not entered the U.S. within one year or if your re-entry permit is not valid, you must qualify for a new immigrant visa as a returning resident.
To qualify for a special immigrant visa as a returning resident, an applicant must establish that he/she has continued to maintain an unrelinquished permanent residence in the United States and his/her absence abroad beyond the permitted limit was due to circumstances beyond his/her control.
To apply for returning resident status, you may come to the U.S. Embassy at 08:00 A.M. on any Monday-Friday that the Embassy is open with a completed Form DS-117 ("Questionnaire to Determine Returning Resident Status"). It is also available at your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You should bring any documentary evidence you may have of permanent residence in the U.S. as well as documents showing why you were unable to return to the United States. A consular officer will then conduct an interview to determine whether or not you are eligible for returning resident status.
Fees must be paid in U.S. dollars or Pakistani rupees.
For information on current fee amounts, click here
If you have not yet spent one year outside the United States, we urge you to return within one-year or before the expiration of your Re-Entry permit (if available) as your stay outside the U.S./Re-Entry permit cannot be extended. We cannot accept your application for "Returning Resident Status" if you have been outside of the U.S. for less than one year or before the expiration of your re-entry permit.