Regular visitors to MurthyIndiaDotCom and subscribers to our bulletin may be aware that any lawful permanent resident (LPR) who stayed outside the United States for a year or more will have to qualify as a returning resident (SB1) in the absence of a valid “re-entry permit.”  The form used to apply for this status is DS-117. A downloadable and editable version of this form was available on https://travel.state.gov. However, recently, this form has been removed, and applicants have been advised to contact the consular section, where they intend to apply for this status, for further information. This update is available here.

In India, SB1 applications are accepted only at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai. Intending applicants need to contact support-india@ustraveldocs.com.