Enterline & Partners Consulting | info@enterlinepartners.com

Search
Close this search box.

What do I need to show to reenter the U.S. after being outside for a long time because of COVID-19?

We have covered several issues in our series on how to protect your lawful permanent resident status and green card if you have been outside the United States and have been unable to return because of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Reference Guide

If you are able to reenter within 1 year of your last date of departure and have an unexpired green card (or a receipt notice extending conditional resident status), or you are able to reenter within 2 years of your last departure and you have an unexpired reentry permit, you will still want to have with you evidence of your permanent residence and ties to the United States.  Such evidence can include your job in the U.S, your physical residence, enrolment in school, home, auto or medical insurance that you continue to pay, your immediate family members that are in the U.S., and other significant contacts with the United States.  You will also want to bring with you evidence showing why you were prevented from returning to the United States because of COVID-19.  Such evidence may include written notification regarding canceled flights, inability to book flights, travel restrictions by the U.S. and/or the foreign country, etc.

Note that just claiming you were unable to return because of COVID-19, by itself, may not be considered a strong reason for not returning to your country of permanent residence – the United States of America.

If you are unable to reenter within 1 year (or 2 years if you have a reentry permit) of your last departure because of COVID-19, you may need to apply for the SB-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate.  The Consulate will review your application and your resident intent, and reason you were unable to return to the U.S. and determine if you qualify for the SB-1 visa.  You will need to prepare similar documentation as mentioned above.

If you have questions about your status you can contact us today at info@enterlinepartners.com and speak with a U.S. immigration lawyer in Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, or Taipei.

ENTERLINE & PARTNERS CONSULTING

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Office

Suite 601, 6th Floor, Saigon Tower
29 Le Duan Street
Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Tel: +84 933 301 488

Email: info@enterlinepartners.com

Facebook: Enterline & Partners – Dịch vụ Thị thực và Định cư Hoa Kỳ

Website: http://enterlinepartners.com

Manila, Philippines Office

LKG Tower 37th Floor
6801 Ayala Avenue
Makati City, Philippines 1226

Tel: +632 5310 1491

Email: info@enterlinepartners.com

Facebook: Enterline and Partners Philippines

Website: https://enterlinepartners.com/language/en/welcome/

Copyright 2020. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article may be changed with or without notice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of Enterline and Partners only.

CATEGORY
time
recent posts
CTA_Collection

Over 18,000 successful customers with Enterline &
Partners, realizing the dream of immigration

Latest News

When Do Sponsor Obligations End Under Form I-864?

For immigrants to the United States, the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support (“Form I-864”), is a critical part of the family-based immigration process. It is a legally enforceable contract in which a sponsor agrees to financially support the intended immigrant, helping ensure that the immigrant does not rely on certain U.S. government benefits after becoming a permanent resident. By signing Form I-864, the sponsor takes on long-term financial responsibility, but this obligation is not indefinite. The U.S. government outlines specific situations under which the sponsor’s duties come to an end. When Will These Obligations End?  A sponsors obligations under a Form I-864 end when the sponsored immigrant: A sponsor’s obligations under a Form I-864 also end if the sponsor dies. As such, the sponsor’s estate is not required to take responsibility for the sponsored immigrant following the sponsor’s death. Divorce does not terminate the responsibility, and if the sponsor dies,

Read more >

F, M and J Student Visa Interviews to Resume with Enhanced Social Media Vetting

The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has instructed Embassies and Consulates to begin accepting new F, M, and J student visa application appointments following a temporary suspension. The pause was initiated to allow DOS to implement policy changes regarding social media vetting. After the suspension, e F, M, and J student visa applicants are required to make their social media accounts public for vetting purposes. In a DOS announcement, DOS will use all information available for “visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security. Under this new guidance, we will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications.” The new policy, following the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to begin screening anti-Semitic online activity posted by

Read more >

United States Announces New Visa Policies Targeting Chinese Nationals

The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) has announced a new set of visa policies aimed at increasing scrutiny of Chinese nationals seeking to enter the United States. In a press statement issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the DOS outlined forthcoming measures that align with President Trump’s directive to prioritize national interests. Press StatementMarco Rubio, Secretary of StateMay 28, 2025 “Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.” The new policies reflect a coordinated effort between the DOS and the Department of Homeland Security. The focus is on visa revocations and revised criteria for applicants from the

Read more >
Vietnam
icons8-exercise-96 chat-active-icon