State Dept Form Helps Long-Lost Residents Reclaim U.S. Entry Rights
Published Date: 11/19/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of State wants to keep collecting info from lawful permanent residents who left the U.S. but couldn’t return on time and need to prove their returning resident status. They’re asking for public feedback by January 20, 2026, to make sure the process is clear and fair. This won’t cost applicants extra but takes about 30 minutes to complete the form.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Required DS-117 for Returning Residents
If you are a lawful permanent resident or conditional resident who left the United States and could not return within your reentry document’s validity, you must use Form DS-117 (Application to Determine Returning Resident Status) to seek a returning-resident visa. The form is OMB Control Number 1405-0091, is estimated to take 30 minutes to complete, has about 4,200 annual respondents (2,100 total burden hours), and may be submitted by email or in person to a U.S. embassy or consulate.
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Key Dates
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