Hi everyone,

Does anyone know or can give me some information how long a PR can be out of the US? And what are the ramifications for doing so. I've heard before that one can leave up to 2 years, but not beyond that. If you're gone for more than 2 years, then your spouse would have to petition you all over again. I don't know how truth there is to this. I would like to know where I can actually see (like a website) all this. Thank you!

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

Your thread will more than likely be moved to a different forum...

Puerto Ricans are US citizens - so as long as they want.

Good one M. I kind of read that too from the title.

They cannot stay outside of the US for more than one year but many experience difficulties coming back even after six months. If the PR needs to stay out of the US for more than that, he/she needs to file an I-131 BEFORE travelling, if approved, they can stay out of the country for up to two years.

Diana

How do they even know how long they stayed outside the US?

There's no passport control when you leave the US - you could have been gone for years or days - they have no clue.

Most foreign countries will put an entry stamp in your passport though.

Some, but not all. If you're a UK citizen, the UK won't stamp your passport. Ditto for Ireland.

Exactly.

Diana

so it's upon their discretion whether to approve the reentry permit? i wonder under what circumstance they would deny it? and also, how long does the whole process usually take? from the time you send the application to getting the permit.

do they have a number so i can just call them?

You can call the USCIS for more info and it can take anywhere between 3-6 months since it's treated just like any other petition you send them.

And yes, it's up to them to grant the leave of absence for that long. Remember that being a PR is a privilege and anyone who doesn't want to be here permanently will be questioned. That's why it's easier to just become a US citizen and not deal with it.

Diana

Every single time I have entered the US, even as a USC, I was asked how long I had been gone, so I am sure they ask returning PRs the same thing and it's not legal to lie about something like that.

I thought there was a six-month rule. That is what the IO at my hubby's AOS interview told us....that he could not be out of the country for more than 6 months.

It's a year when abandonment of the green card is automatic, but normally six months or more caused problems returning and the PR should have good reasons and back up for having been gone.

Hmm... perhaps the IO was talking about filling requirements for citizenship? As a spouse of a USC, a PR can apply for citizenship after three years of US residence, but six months or more counts as a break in residence and restarts the three year countdown.