United States•North America3-6 months
385 USD
Indefinite
No
Not Required
Not Specified
Available
Allowed
Lawful permanent residents who remained abroad for over 1 year due to circumstances beyond their control, seeking to return.
The SB-1 is a US immigrant visa for lawful permanent residents who remained abroad for more than one year due to circumstances beyond their control. It allows them to reenter and resume LPR status without reapplying for an immigrant visa from scratch.
Applicants file Form DS-117 ($180) to establish returning resident status, then DS-260 ($205) for the immigrant visa. Processing takes 3–6 months; apply at least 3 months before intended travel. Upon re-entry, the holder resumes full LPR status permanently.
This visa is ideal for LPRs stranded abroad by medical emergency, employment obligations, or other uncontrollable circumstances who need to reclaim their US permanent residence.
DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application fee | 205 USD |
DS-117 Application to Determine Returning Resident Status fee | 180 USD |
Medical examination and vaccinations | — |
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
Must have held lawful permanent resident (LPR) or conditional resident status at time of departure
Must have departed the U.S. intending to return and not abandoned that intention
Extended stay outside the U.S. must have been caused by circumstances beyond the applicant's control
Must be returning from what was originally intended as a temporary trip abroad
Education
none or higher
Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551 / Green Card)
Re-entry Permit (Form I-327), if available
Evidence of travel dates (airline tickets, passport stamps)
Proof of U.S. ties (tax returns, family connections, social ties in the U.S.)
Documentation showing extended absence was beyond applicant's control (e.g., medical records, employer records)
Valid foreign passport
| DS-117 Application to Determine Returning Resident Status | Fill online |
| DS-260 Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application | Fill online |
| Application Steps | Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate at least 3 months before intended travel; Submit Form … | travel.state.gov |
| Fee Breakdown | DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application fee: 205 USD; DS-117 Application to Determine Returning Resident S… | travel.state.gov |
| Fees | $205 immigrant visa application fee (DS-260); $180 DS-117 processing fee; medical examination and va… | travel.state.gov |
| Forms | DS-117; DS-260 | travel.state.gov |
| Forms · DS-117 · description | Application to Determine Returning Resident Status | eforms.state.gov |
| Forms · DS-117 · url | https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds117.PDF | eforms.state.gov |
| Forms · DS-260 · description | Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application | travel.state.gov |
| Included Nationalities | — | travel.state.gov |
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