
The steps to apply for the SB-1 visa are as follows:
- File Form DS-117, Application to Determine Returning Resident Status
- Submit Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card or Green Card which you had before you traveled outside the U.S.
- Submit your Re-entry Permit if you have one
- Submit supporting documents such as: Dates of planned travel outside the U.S such as your airline ticket or passport stamp Proof of intention to return such as employment offer, tax ...
What are the steps for SB-1 visa application?
The steps for the SB-1 visa application are given below: 1 Firstly, file the Form DS-117, Application to Determine Returning Resident Status 2 Then, submit the Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card or Green Card given to you and which you had before you traveled outside the U.S. 3 Submit your Re-entry Permit if you have one More items...
Do I need a SB-1 visa to return to the US?
Therefore, you would not need a Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa, as long as you: Your spouse or parent is returning to the United States. Under provisions of immigration law, to qualify for returning resident status, you will need to prove to the Consular Officer that you:
Do you have to pay for immigration interview for SB-1?
You will need to be interviewed for both your application for returning resident status, and usually later for the immigrant visa. An SB-1 applicant is required to establish eligibility for an immigrant visa and have a medical examination. Therefore, this involves paying both visa processing fees and medical fees.
Where can I get an interview for SB1 visa in India?
You can schedule an interview at either the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi or the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai. You must bring the following documents to the interview: The U.S. Embassy, New Delhi accepts ONLY cash payment (US dollar or Indian Rupee) for SB1 applications.

Can I apply SB-1 visa online?
The application does need to be filed in person. SB-1 visas cannot be filed online. In addition to the interview, applicants need to submit DS-260 which authorizes the medical examination.
How long does it take to get SB-1 visa?
3-6 monthsYou should apply for the SB-1 visa as far in advance of your intended travel date as possible to allow time for the application to be approved, but the processing time on these visas is fast and generally doesn't take any more than 3-6 months.
What documents are required for sb1 visa?
Your original passport. Your completed Form DS-260 or the “Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application.” You must complete Form DS-260 on the U.S. Department of State's Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. Two photographs that meet the U.S. government's photograph requirements.
How long does sb1 visa last?
The permit has a maximum validity of two years and may not be extended. If a Reentry Permit is obtained, the alien may use it to reenter the United States within the period of validity of the permit.
What happens after sb1 is approved?
What happens if the application is approved? If the application is approved, then you have six months to apply for an immigrant visa. In addition to attending another interview, you will need to pay the immigrant visa processing fee of $205 and complete a medical exam and pay vaccination fees.
What happens if sb1 is denied?
If the SB-1 Visa is denied on the basis that the alien (applicant) has resigned his/her residence in the United States, it may or may not be possible to obtain a non-immigrant visa, depending on whether the applicant has established residence abroad to which he will return to.
What is the cost of a resident return visa?
The Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 & 157) currently is $405 for an online application or $485 for a paper application. Process times can vary significantly.
Can I re apply for green card after abandonment?
Reinstating Your Green Card Back After Abandonment If your SB-1 application is approved, the consulate officer will issue you a new I-551, which will enable you to travel back to the U.S. without having to file a new green card petition.
How do I fill out a DS 117 form?
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How much is the DS 260 fee?
How much is the DS-260 fee? The USCIS Immigrant Fee is $220 and is required for USCIS to create and send you your physical green card. As soon as your receive your visa stamp, which you will use to enter into the U.S., it's important to pay the fee online.
What is SB-1 visa?
If you are approved for Returning Resident (SB-1) status, the U.S. Embassy will provide you with specific instructions for the remainder of the processing for your SB-1 visa. Like other immigrant visas, you are required to meet all other documentary and legal requirements here to be issued an SB-1 visa.
Who will review all submitted documents, conduct an interview, and determine your eligibility for an SB-1 visa?
A consular officer will review all the submitted documents, conduct an interview, and determine your eligibility for an SB-1 visa.
Can you appeal a SB-1 visa?
If the consular officer has determined that you are not eligible for an SB-1 visa, this decision will not be reviewed or reconsidered. There is no appeal process.
What is required for a SB-1 visa?
You will need to be interviewed for both your application for returning resident status, and usually later for the immigrant visa. An SB-1 applicant is required to establish eligibility for an immigrant visa and have a medical examination. Therefore, this involves paying both visa processing fees and medical fees.
How far in advance do you need to apply for a returning resident visa?
Embassy or Consulate in advance of your intended travel (at least three months in advance, if possible) to permit sufficient time for visa processing.
What Is An SB-1 Visa?
People categorized as lawful permanent residents in the United States are advised not to go out of the country for more than 12 months at any time. Doing so would result in their permanent residency being revoked.
Who Needs A Returning Resident Visa?
Only a select group of immigrants that have stayed beyond two years away from the united states at a stretch have any chance of applying for a returning resident visa. The qualifications for the same are as follows:
How To Apply For An SB-1 Visa
Application for the returning resident visa or the SB-1 visa is almost the same as any other immigrant visa you could apply for.
Documents Required To Apply For A Returning Resident Visa
The following documents are needed for all applicants that are willing to apply for a returning resident visa:
SB-1 Visa Appointment And Interview
Once you have completed the submission of the above documents, you are required to book an appointment to this effect so that a consulate officer can determine the status of your SB-1 Visa application. Usually, you will have to go to your consulate’s website and book your appointment date and time once you have submitted your documents.
Final Thoughts
The SB-1 visa is for those permanent residents that have been away from the United States of America for more than two years at a stretch due to reasons beyond their control. Upon being granted this visa, one can return to the United States and continue their permanent residency from then on.
What is the SB-1 visa?
A Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa allows those who have surpassed a permanent resident card’s (or green card’s) limits on extended travel to return to the United States and resume their lawful permanent resident status. Both U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and conditional residents (CRs) may apply for an SB-1 visa if they have overstayed their visits abroad but can prove that returning to the United States was not possible for them at that time.
What happens if your SB-1 visa application is not approved?
consulate or embassy may determine that your Form DS-117 and supporting documents do not qualify you as a Returning Resident since you have abandoned your permanent residence in the United States. In some cases, you can still apply for a nonimmigrant visa to the United States if you have established a residence outside of the United States to which you intend to return. If you can’t provide enough evidence that you have established a residence abroad, you will need to apply for a new immigrant visa to return to the United States. You should apply under the same category and on the same basis as your original immigration application. You may wish to consult with an immigration law expert or attorney during this process. If so, you can find legal help at no or a low cost on the U.S. government’s Legal Aid website.
Overview
A permanent resident (called lawful permanent resident or LPR) or conditional resident (CR) who has remained outside the United States for longer than one year, or beyond the validity period of a Re-entry Permit, will require a new immigrant visa to enter the United States and resume permanent residence. A provision exists under U.S.
How to Apply
If you wish to apply for a Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa, you should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in advance of your intended travel (at least three months in advance, if possible) to permit sufficient time for visa processing. As part of the visa application process, an interview at the U.S.
Schedule an Interview
The U.S. Embassy or Consulate will provide you with specific instructions for the remainder of the processing for your Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa. While exact instructions may vary by embassy or consulate, these instructions will include:
Local Information
Please read the information in this section carefully. It contains location-specific information that you will need to know when applying for your Visa.
What are the requirements to get a SB-1 visa?
There are certain criteria in order for a person to be able to apply for the SB-1 visa. There are conditions that need to be fulfilled. You have to prove that: You were a lawful permanent resident with legal status in the U.S before you leave for your trip.
Who doesn't need a SB-1 visa?
With some exceptions, there are those who don’t need to apply for the SB-1 visa, they are as follows: The Spouse and children of a member of the U.S Armed Forces. The Civilian employees of the U.S government who are stationed abroad.
What is DS 260?
Submit the Form DS-260, or the Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application which you filed before during your initial immigrant visa application.
Who decides if you qualify for SB-1?
Generally, it is the U.S Embassy who decides your eligibility for the SB-1 visa based on the documents and evidence you submit to them. For an instance, they decide that you do not qualify for the U.S.A. visa they will notify you to either submit additional documents or that you simply cannot get a returning resident visa and that you got denied.
Do you have to pay for a visa application?
The fees must be paid in order for your application to be processed and get validated. If you just submit the application without paying the required fees, it will not be taken into consideration by the U.S Embassy.
Do you have to live in the US to get a green card?
Visas, with the Green Card in the U.S., you are under the Lawful Permanent Resident status (LPR) or a Conditional resident (CR) depending on the type of visa you hold. You have to move and live in the U.S. in order to maintain your status and then you apply for citizenship.
