Living Abroad

[salahcosmo1 0]

Good Evening All,

I was wondering the process by which if my wife and I decide to live in Morroco am I not able to use my green card status to travel back to the US to see relatives? We are completely confused at the moment on what is the best thing to do?

thank you

Salah

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

If you plan on living in Morroco for under two years (but over one) you'll need to get a re entry permit. You'll need to continue to file taxes etc.

Does that answer your question?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

The green card means you are a permanent resident in the US. Leaving the US to live in another country is considered abandoning your green card and you lose your status as a permanent resident. If you wish to live 'temporarily' abroad while maintaining a residence in the US you can apply for a re-entry permit but you need to return to the US to live. You can use a re-entry permit for up to 2 years, but if USCIS believes that you have actually given up US residency then even then they may not allow you to re-enter. Green card status isn't permanent - it only applies if you are actually living in the US.

Here is useful information from the USCIS website: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

International Travel

A Permanent Resident of the United States can travel freely outside of the US. A passport from the country of citizenship is normally all that is needed. To reenter the US a Permanent Resident normally needs to present the green card (Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551) for readmission. A reentry permit is needed for reentry for trips greater than one year but less than two years in duration.

You can find more information about travel documents from "How Do I Get a Travel Document?"

Maintaining Permanent Residence

Maintaining Permanent Residence You may lose your permanent residence status if you commit an act that makes you removable from the United States under the law in section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If you commit such an act, you may be brought before the immigration courts to determine your right to remain a Permanent Resident.

You may be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status if you:

* Move to another country intending to live there permanently.

* Remain outside of the US for more than one year without obtaining a reentry permit or returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.

* Remain outside of the US for more than two years after issuance of a reentry permit without obtaining a returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.

* Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the US for any period.

* Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your tax returns.