Green card question

[Maeve 2]

...not sure if this is the right forum to post in, but...

So, my hubby is thinking of taking a job with a security firm working oversees; like the private military contractors who work in Iraq.

But what we're trying to figure out is whether working abroad might invalidate his green card? I know they make exceptions for military service, and a lot of these PMCs have good rotations (9 weeks on, 3 weeks off, etc). I thought I remembered hearing that your green card was valid so long as you "made an appearance" in the country once a year or so? It'd be good for him to have a job and nice to have the extra income, I jsut don't want to jeopardize his status...

Thanks!

[mozplay 28]

Maeve, I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you, but I do have a question. My question is ... is the job he is thinking of taking with a U.S. employer (the way it would be if he were in the armed forces) so that he continues to work and pay taxes etc for the U.S. but is stationed overseas AND (to the gurus who will answer this question) does this make a difference?

[tbaygrrl 2]

I worked as a private contractor for the US military overseas in Iraq for a few years. If he takes this job, just remember, he is a civilian, not military. He must be an enlisted memeber of the armed forces to be granted an exception. Because he may work with or next to military does not matter, he is still just a civilian on contract for a company hired by the military. Also, heads up if he does take this position, that the tax breaks only are given if he spends less than 30 days in country (in US) and also, any amount over 80,000 is taxed. Lots of contrators got hit bad with taxes as they were a tad mis-led.

In terms of violating his greencard I am not sure, but I can say he will definately not be considered as Military.