Outside USA

[so_nice77 0]

Hi All.

I. 10 years GC holder and i already outside of usa, and i would like to stay with my family up to 3 months, my question is ?

is there any problem is going to happen to me when i back to usa ! i mean on the Border?

and what about when i file for my Citizenship ? it will be any problem?

Thanx for ur answer

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You should be fine for a 3 month visit. How long have you been outside of the States? That is what they look at when you return to the US - the length of time you are away, and if you retained your 'residence' in the US with the intent to return. Assuming your visit has been for 3 months you should have no problems returning to the US. Longer stays are possible but you need to file for a re-entry permit if you are out of the country between 6 months and a year (I believe it is 6 months - might be less), and you need to do that before you leave the US. Being away from the US for 6 months interrupts your residency requirement for US citizenship. Absences less than that apparently don't.

[mendeleev 69]

How do they know how long a green card holder has been out of the country? We don't have exit controls like other countries ...

[mendeleev 69]

bump (hoping for an answer ...)

[Kathryn41 3,205]

They ask you when you return. If you lie then that is misrepresentation and subject to possible deportation. If you think that you will take the risk and they won't know, it is not a safe bet. Passenger travel lists are regularly exchanged for security purposes and in this age of increasing international communications and electronic surveillance, who can guarantee what they do and do not know or will find out?

Here is a potential scenario: you have your passport stamped upon entry to another country, and you need to apply for another immigration benefit. They require copies of all of the pages of your passport, and you have an entry stamp to another country and an immigration notation of return to the US at another date that don't agree with the information you have provided them on file . . . . you may get away with it, but do you really want to take the risk that they won't find out? Far better to play it safe and follow the rules, especially when it is something so important as being allowed to live with your spouse in the US.

Edited May 28, 2008 by Kathryn41