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Returning Resident (SB-1) Visas

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Overview

The SB-1 visa is for Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) who have remained outside the United States for over one year, or beyond the validity of the Re-entry Permit for reasons beyond their control to return to the United States to resume permanent residence. If you apply for an SB-1 visa, the first step is to make an online appointment to determine eligibility for Returning Resident Status here or contact the Call Center at 19006444 if you are in Vietnam or at +1-703-665-7350 if you are in the United States before appearing at the U.S. Consulate General of Ho Chi Minh City for an interview.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This page is NOT used for applicants who had already been interviewed and approved for Returning Resident (SB-1) status, received an Instruction Letter (Packet 3 – SB1), and scheduled for an SB-1 visa interview appointment by the U.S. Consulate, but were unable to attend the scheduled appointment. Applicants in this situation must submit an inquiry form to: https://vn.usembassy.gov/immigrant-visa-inquiry-form/ and request to reschedule their SB-1 visa interview appointment. Please DO NOT choose the option “SB1, Determining Returning Resident Status” as instructed below. Applicants who were already approved for Returning Resident (SB-1) status within the past six (6) months and received an Instruction Letter (Packet 3 – SB1) but still schedule an “SB1, Determining Returning Resident Status” appointment will be TURNED AWAY.

Scheduling an appointment online

Please follow the Step-by-Step instructions below:

  • Step 1 – Create an account at: http://bit.ly/visa-account. If you already have your own account, please move to Step 2.
  • Step 2 – Log in to your account at: http://bit.ly/us-login.
  • Step 3 – After logging in, you will be taken to a Dashboard, please look at the left of the Dashboard, click on “New Application / Schedule Appointment”, and follow the instructions below:
    • Choose “Immigrant Visa”, then click “Continue”.
    • Choose “SB1, Determining Returning Resident Status”, then click “Continue”.
    • Select your visa class “SB1-RETURNING RESIDENT”, then click “Continue”.
    • Fill in all the required fields, then click “Continue”. Please make sure the First Name field includes both your first name and given name. For example, if your full name is Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, please enter “Thi Thu Trang” in the First Name field and “Nguyen” in the Last Name field. Please also make sure you enter your most updated Passport Number and please do not forget to provide your phone numbers. These fields are very important.
    • Select your preferred delivery option, then click “Continue”.
    • Choose your preferred date and time from the calendar, then click “Schedule Appointment”. If there are currently no appointments available, please go back to the scheduling system at a later time. Our office typically schedules additional appointment slots on a rolling basis depending on the demand for appointments. Therefore, we recommend you check the appointment system periodically for availability.
    • Click on “Printable Version” and print out the Appointment Confirmation Page.

Please note that the closing time for appointments is 48 hours. If you cannot attend the rescheduled appointment, please cancel or reschedule your appointment at least three working days prior to your appointment date. Otherwise, you will need to wait until the appointment date has passed to reschedule a new one.

At the interview to determine Returning Resident Status eligibility

  • Please ensure to bring the following documents to your scheduled appointment. You will be required to reschedule if you arrive with an incomplete application.
  • Pay a non-refundable filing fee at the U.S. Consulate. The U.S. Consulate accepts U.S. Dollars or Vietnamese Dong in cash, or with the following credit cards in U.S. Dollars: Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. The U.S. Consulate does not accept checks. Please note that payment of the filing fee does not guarantee that the application will be approved.
  • A completed Application to Determine Returning Resident Status, Form DS-117. Please ensure ALL fields are filled in correctly. ATTENTION: Field 12 of Form DS-117 requires you to list ALL periods that you have lived outside of the United States for six months or longer since your initial entry into the United States as a permanent resident. You must make sure you have included ALL these periods. 
  • Your original passport and a photocopy of all your passport pages. If your passport is not available, please provide an explanation.
  • Proof of lawful permanent residence such as your Green Card (I-551), Re-entry Permit/Travel Document, etc. and their photocopies.
  • List the dates you traveled outside of the United States and provide proof of this travel (airline tickets, passport stamps, etc.). Please provide a photocopy of these documents.
  • Proof of your ties to the United States and your intention to return (tax returns, and evidence of economic, family, social ties to the United States, return tickets, etc.)
  • Proof that your protracted stay outside of the United States was for reasons beyond your control (medical incapacitation, accompanying parents, etc.). Please provide a photocopy of these documents.

A consular officer will review all the submitted documents, conduct an interview, and determine your eligibility for a SB-1 visa.

After the interview to determine Returning Resident Status eligibility

If you are approved for Returning Resident (SB-1) status, the U.S. Consulate will provide you with an Instruction Letter (Packet 3 – SB1) requesting you to complete Form DS-260 and prepare required documents. You must apply for your SB-1 visa within six (6) months from the date you were approved for Returning Resident (SB-1) status, which is generally the date your Form DS-117 is endorsed. If it has been over six (6) months, you will need to restart the whole process. After you complete your Form DS-260 and notify the U.S. Consulate, the U.S. Consulate will schedule an SB-1 visa interview appointment. Like other immigrant visas, you are required to meet all other documentary and legal requirements to be issued an SB-1 visa.

If you are unable to attend your SB-1 visa interview appointment scheduled by the U.S. Consulate, please submit an inquiry form to: https://vn.usembassy.gov/immigrant-visa-inquiry-form/ and request to reschedule your SB-1 visa interview appointment. There may be a significant wait before the next available appointment, so please attempt to attend the date already assigned.

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.

If you do not qualify for returning resident status, then you will need to have a new petition filed on your behalf with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

More information

For more information about SB-1 visa, visit the Department of State’s website.

For more information about lawful permanent residents, visit the website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam.