A lawful permanent resident (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.  You can learn more about Returning Resident Visas on usvisas.state.gov.

U.S. Legal Permanent Residents/Green Card Holders

Lost/Stolen Green Card (I-551)

We may be able to issue you a Boarding Foil that will permit you to return to United States. You must also prove that you have been outside the United States for less than one year and you are intending to return to the U.S. within 30 days.

How to apply:

1. Before your appointment, you must pay the filing fee for I-131A application form online using the USCIS online payment system./ You may pay the fee with your credit or debit card or U.S. bank account. The fee is non-refundable, regardless the decision on the application.
2. Prepare the following:

• A validpassport.
• One recent photo, 5cmx5cm taken in front of a plain white or off-white background without glasses.
• Form I-131A, completed and signed.
• Evidence that you paid the fee (such as a printed copy of your payment confirmation page or a printed copy of your emailed receipt (see number 1 above).
• Police Report of loss of your U.S. Residence Card.
• Evidence showing your last departure from United States such as a flight ticket/electronic itinerary.

3. For U.S. Legal Permanent Residents in Algeria who have lost their Permanent Resident “Green” card, or whose card has expired, or who may have lost permanent resident status by staying out of the United States for more than a year, please make an appointment for an SB1 returning resident visa at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/dz/

The issuance of a Boarding Foil may take more than a 5 business days.

Once in the United States, you will need to apply for the replacement of your Green Card.  For information on replacing your lost/stolen/expired green card upon reentering the US, please consult the US Citizenship and Immigration Service website for detailed instructions.

Returning Resident (SB1 visa)

A U.S. legal permanent resident (LPR) or conditional resident (CR) who has remained outside the United States for more than one year, or beyond the validity period of a Re-entry Permit (PDF 1 MB), for reasons beyond their control may be eligible for a immigrant visa (SB-1) under limited circumstances.  To qualify for such status, you must show:

• That you were a lawful permanent resident when you departed the United States.
• That when you departed you intended to return to the U.S. and have maintained this intent.
• 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.

How to apply:

1. Complete application  Form DS-117 to Determine Returning Resident Status,
2. Prepare the following:

• Your Permanent Resident Card
• Your Re-entry Permit, if available
• Dates of travel outside of the United States (Examples: airline tickets, passport stamps, etc.)
• Proof of your ties to the United States and your intention to return
• Proof that your protracted stay outside of the United States was for reasons beyond your control

3. Pay application fee $180 or equivalent in local currency (non-refundable)
4. For U.S. Legal Permanent Residents in Algeria who have lost their Permanent Resident “Green” card, or whose card has expired, or who may have lost permanent resident status by staying out of the United States for more than a year, please make an appointment for an SB1 returning resident visa at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/dz/
5. If the application is approved, you will be given instruction how to apply for immigrant visa (SB1) that requires a new fee and more supporting documents including medical examination.
6. If the application is refused, the Consular Officer will provide you with further information.

Please Note: Individuals contemplating whether to submit an application for returning resident status should carefully consider whether their circumstances meet the criteria outlined above.  The application fee is non-refundable and the evaluation process is rigorous.