Application for Advance Permission to Return to Unrelinquished Domicile

OMB No. 1615-0016; Expires 06/30/2010

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Instructions for Form I-191, Application for Advance
Permission to Return to Unrelinquished Domicile
Instructions

Please read these instructions carefully to properly complete this form. If you need more space to complete an answer, use a
separate sheet(s) of paper. Write your name and Alien Registration Number (A #), if any, at the top of each sheet of paper
and indicate the part and number of the item to which the answer refers.

What Is the Purpose of This Form.
Form I-191 allows a legal permanent resident of the United
States to apply for permission to return to their home in the
United States after time spent outside the United States.

General Instructions.
Step 1. Fill Out the Form I-191
1. Type or print legibly in black ink.
2. If extra space is needed to complete any item, attach a
continuation sheet, indicate the item number, and date and
sign each sheet.
3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. State that an
item is not applicable with "N/A." If the answer is none,
write "none."
4. List specifically and in detail your reasons for possible
inadmissibility. For example, if the application is made
because you may be inadmissible due to a conviction of a
crime, state in the application the designation of the crime,
the date and place of its commission and of the conviction
therefore, and the sentence or other judgement of the court.
In the case of a disease, mental or physical defect or other
disability, give an exact description, duration thereof and
the date and place last treated.
5. If the applicant is mentally incompetent or is under 14
years of age, the application shall be executed by his parent
or guardian.
6. When completing Number 3 on the form, where absences
have been numerous as a resident alien border crosser or as
a seaman, it will be sufficient to give the approximate
number of such absences during the years covered.

Translations. Any document containing foreign language

submitted to the Service shall be accompanied by a full
English language translation which the translator has certified
as complete and accurate, and by the translator's certification
that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign
language into English.

Copies. Unless specifically required that an original
document be filed with an application or petition, an ordinary
legible photocopy may be submitted. Original documents
submitted when not required will remain a part of the record,
even if the submission was not required.

Where To File.
This form, when completely executed, should be submitted to
the District Director or Field Office Director having
jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence.

What Is the Filing Fee.
The filing fee for a Form I-191 is $545.00.
Use the following guidelines when you prepare your check or
money order for the Form I-191 fee:
1. The check or money order must be drawn on a bank or
other financial institution located in the United States and
must be payable in U.S. currency; and
2. Make the check or money order payable to U.S.
Department of Homeland Security, unless:
A. If you live in Guam and are filing your petition
there, make it payable to Treasurer, Guam.
B. If you live in the U.S. Virgin Islands and are filing
your petition there, make it payable to
Commissioner of Finance of the Virgin Islands.
NOTE: Please spell out U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; do not use the initials "USDHS" or "DHS."
Notice to Those Making Payment by Check. If you send us
a check, it will be converted into an electronic funds transfer
(EFT). This means we will copy your check and use the
account information on it to electronically debit your account
for the amount of the check. The debit from your account will
usually take 24 hours, and will be shown on your regular
account statement.

Form I-191 Instructions (Rev. 07/30/07) N

You will not receive your original check back. We will
destroy your original check, but we will keep a copy of it. If
the EFT cannot be processed for technical reasons, you
authorize us to process the copy in place of your original
check. If the EFT cannot be completed because of insufficient
funds, we may try to make the transfer up to two times.
How to Check If the Fees Are Correct.
The form fee on this form is current as the the edition date
appearing in the lower right corner of this page. However,
because USCIS fees change periodically, you can verify if the
fees are correct by following one of the steps below:
1. Visit our website at www.uscis.gov, select
"Immigration Forms" check the appropriate fee;
2. Review the Fee Schedule included in your form
package, if you called us to request the form or
3. Telephone our National Customer Service Center at
1-800-375-5283 and ask for the fee information.

Address Changes.
If you change your address and you have an application or
petition pending with USCIS, you may change your address
on-line at www.uscis.gov, click on "Change your address with
USCIS" and follow the prompts or by completing and mailing
Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card, to:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Change of Address
P.O. Box 7134
London, KY 40742-7134
For commercial overnight or fast freight services only, mail
to:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Change of Address
1084-I South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744

Processing Information.
Any Form I-191 that is not signed or accompanied by the
correct fee, will be rejected with a notice that the Form
I-191 is deficient. You may correct the deficiency and
resubmit the Form I-191. An application or petition is not
considered properly filed until accepted by USCIS.

Initial processing. Once a Form I-191 has been accepted, it

will be checked for completness, including submission of the
required initial evidence. If you do not completely fill out the
form, or file it without required initial evidence, you will not
establish a basis for eligibility and we may deny your Form
I-191.

Requests for more information or interview. We

may request more information or evidence, or we may
request that you appear at a USCIS office for an interview.
We may also request that you submit the originals of any
copy. We will return these originals when they are no
longer required.

Decision. The decision on a Form I-191 involves a
determination of whether you have established eligiblity for
the requested benefit. You will be notified of the decision in
writing.

USCIS Forms and Information.
To order USCIS forms, call our toll-free number at
1-800-870-3676. You can also get USCIS forms and
information on immigration laws, regulations and procedures
by telephoning our National Customer Service Center at
1-800-375-5283 or visiting our internet website at www.uscis.
gov.
As an altenative to waiting in line for assistance at your local
USCIS office, you can now schedule an appointment through
our internet-based system, InfoPass. To access the system,
visit our website. Use the InfoPass appointment scheduler and
follow the screen prompts to set up your appointment.
InfoPass generates an electronic appointment notice that
appears on the screen.

Penalties.
If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material
fact or submit a false document with this Form I-191, we will
deny the Form I-191 and may deny any other immigration
benefit.
In addition, you will face severe penalties provided by law and
may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Form I-191 Instructions (Rev. 07/30/07) N Page 2

Privacy Act Notice.
We ask for the information on this form, and associated
evidence, to determine if you have established eligibility for
the immigration benefit for which you are filing. Our legal
right to ask for this information can be found in the
Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. We may
provide this information to other government agencies. Failure
to provide this information, and any requested evidence, may
delay a final decision or result in denial of your Form I-191.

Paperwork Reduction Act.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information
collection and a person is not required to respond to a
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid
OMB control number. The public reporting burden for this
collection of information is estimated at 15 minutes per
response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
completing and submitting the form. Send comments
regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this
collection of information, including suggestions for reducing
this burden, to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Regulatory Management Division, 111 Massachusetts
Avenue, N.W., 3rd Floor, Suite 3008, Washington, DC 20529.
OMB No. 1615-0016. Do not mail your application to this
address.

Form I-191 Instructions (Rev. 07/30/07) N Page 3