I need the truth

[bora bora 1]

I need to know who is right here...I was sure that as a GC holder, the immigrant cannot spend more than SIX months outside of the country/year. It doesn't matter if they travel every month, as long as the time spent OUTSIDE the country does not EXCEED six months.

However, a co-worker of mine swears that a GC holder can live abroad as long as s/he RETURNS to the U.S. every six months - even if it's only for a week at a time.

Who is correct? This is not a "Hahaha, I'm right" question - it's a question that my husband may need to know for sure in the future.

My husband has a conditional GC (until 10/09) and my co-worker was granted residency because she's Cuban. Maybe that makes a difference.

[GabachaYucateca 0]

From what I've seen and heard, the question of how long a PR can stay out of the country is amazingly subjective. For those who have the GC but have lived a substantial time outside the US, I've seen examples of both what you described. I have also heard of people who were out of the US for a year or two and entered again just fine.

I think the issue with that is that it may be okay for a while, but you never know when you might find someone in immigration who's decided that you've abandoned your GC.

[Krikit 1,163]

The US Customs & Border Protection has the best answer to your question. The resident can leave the US and return as long as they do not intend to be gone for one year or more. They can apply for a re-entry permit if the stay outside the US is longer than a year. Any lengthy stays outside the US will impact when the PR can apply for naturalization.

Can I Leave the US and Return FAQ

[StillThePrettiest 3]

all I can think of to say is

'You can't handle the truth!!'

but that wouldn't be helpful, so I won't

[bora bora 1]

The US Customs & Border Protection has the best answer to your question. The resident can leave the US and return as long as they do not intend to be gone for one year or more. They can apply for a re-entry permit if the stay outside the US is longer than a year. Any lengthy stays outside the US will impact when the PR can apply for naturalization.

Can I Leave the US and Return FAQ

Thanks so much for your response krikit - it did help. My co-worker has a relative that resides in Colombia and goes to Miami once a year to maintain her status as a GC holder. It seems to work for her.

I want my husband to apply for citizenship when he can in order not to have to deal with this. However....if we were to move (for a year or so) back to Brazil before then, it's good to know that it's possible.