How long does it take to process biometrics and the I-131 travel document?

It generally takes 2-4 weeks to get a biometrics appointment notice. You must be present in the U.S. when you file an I-131 application. You may leave thereafter and return for the biometrics appointment. You may also reschedule the biometrics appointment but it generally delays the processing of the case.

If you are applying for the reentry permit, you must stay until the biometrics appointment is finished. The ASC notice for biometrics will arrive within 2-3 weeks after your application is received by USCIS and they usually set the appointment for 2 weeks in advance. While the approval notice, which you will need to return after 12+ months of being outside the U.S., may be sent to you via Fed Ex by your lawyer, USCIS will not process the application unless your biometrics are done. So, please wait until the ASC appointment notice is received and take it before you leave the country. Sometimes, depending on the location, you may be able to take the ASC notice to where they indicated and ask them if they could take you earlier. If you must leave quickly, some ASC posts may accommodate your schedule, but this is not guaranteed.

Regarding your first question, (1) usually, biometrics will be scheduled in 4-6 weeks after USCIS receives your I-131 application. And regarding your second question, (2) yes. You must be in the United States when you submit the I-131 application but you can leave and come back again for the biometrics.

As a Lawful Permanent Resident, you may wish to file for a United States Reentry Permit by filing an application on Form I-131. You must file while you are physically in the U.S. and, as you indicated, it does require you to have your biometrics, which is a real problem. The problem is not how long it takes to issue the Reentry Permit since you file normally to protect your LPR status if you are required to be out of the U.S. for longer than 6 months. Typically, the application would be processed in 3-4 months or longer and the time frame varies. On the other hand, biometrics, depending your jurisdiction, could take anywhere from 2-4 weeks or longer before you are scheduled for your fingerprinting at an Application Support Center (ASC). Obviously, this could be inconvenient if you need to return to the U.S. while you are working. However, if you are unable to make your appointment once you receive your notice, you can explain to the ASC why. Depending upon how busy ASC is, they may be able to squeeze you in even if your appointment notice does not match the time you are able to go to the ASC.

The average time is about two weeks; sometimes a little less, sometimes more Yes, you can return for the appointment and even reschedule it if need be.

I assume you are talking about the Reentry Permit. Typically, there are about three weeks between the time of filing and the fingerprint appointment, but it is fine to leave the U.S. after USCIS receives your application and return for fingerprinting.

If you are a permanent resident, you do not need an I-131 to travel out and re-enter the United States.

It typically takes about three weeks after filing to get an appointment notice for biometrics. If you receive the appointment notice on a date when you will be outside of the United States, you can go early to the Application Support Center (ASC) with proof of your travel arrangements and they may accommodate you and schedule the biometrics early. You must be physically present in the United States when you submit your application for the reentry permit, but you may leave the U.S. after submission and return for the biometrics appointment.

It usually takes approximately 3-4 months from the filing of the I-131 for a reentry permit to be issued. It is taking approximately 1-2 weeks from the filing before a biometrics appointment is issued. You are required to be physically present in the U.S. when I-131 is filed. However, you may travel thereafter and return for the fingerprinting/biometrics appointment.