Working outside USA without losing my GC

[M.Magdy 0]

Hi,

I got my Green card 1.5 years ago, then my wife got her citizenship Aug-2015 (year ago).

I have a job offer to work in the Gulf area, and I didn't want to lose my opportunity to be a citizenship.

what should I do in this case?

I know that I can apply for a re-entry visa, but I am planning to be in the US every 5 months for 2 weeks.

Kindly advise.

Thank you.

Edited August 23, 2016 by M.Magdy

[aleful 1,905]

hi

you can get a reentry permit up to 2 years, but then you have to return,

the GC is for living and working in the US, so unless you get the reentry permit and return after 2 years, you will loose the GC

entering the country that many times raises a red flag because they will know that you aren't living here and that may be a problem in the future, even threatening to take your GC away

[Dashinka 23,231]

I agree with aleful, 2 weeks every 5 months does not really show a residential intent, so it would look suspicious upon multiple re-entries. Not really sure what to do in your case, since your wife is a US citizen, I suppose you can take the job and abandon your GC and have her file for an IR1 when you are ready to return. It would lengthen your time until you can gain citizenship, but I think the only other option would be to forgo the job, get the citizenship and look for other opportunities after that.

Good Luck!

[Unlockable 7,306]

Just want to add if you are planning to file for citizenship later your time accrued for legibility will not start until you are in the US permanently. So if you get a reentry permit and is out of the US for 2 years then you will have to start your time for eligibility (3 or 5 years depending on your situation) AFTER you return.

[mmsk 9]

• Get a re-entry permit. After 2 years come back to renew it or stay in the US.
• Good news, you will be eligible to apply for US citizenship 2 years + 1 day (because you are married and obtained a re-entry permit) after you come back for good from a long absent ( 1 year and above).

If it is a really really good opportunity, you are old enough to make a decision.

Taking the job opportunity will delay your eligibility for the US citizenship. delay = 2 years +1 day ( if you still married and want to apply based on 3 years rule).

delay = 4 years + 1 day ( if you apply based on 5 years rule).

if you come back every 5 months for couple weeks, you will put your green card on risk. GOOGLE HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS.

For your information: to become a U.S citizen based on your wife (3 years rule), your wife must be a US citizen for 3 years and above.

At the end it is your choice

Edited August 23, 2016 by mmsk