Absences for less than 6 months? Or 1 year?

[celiothrkn 0]

My wife won't be eligible for naturalization until May 2013 but we're planning ahead! I understand that the applicant must prove "continuous residence" in the US in order to naturalize.

My lawyer tells me that she cannot take a vacation out of the US for more than 6 consecutive months (because USCIS will then presume she's abandoning LPR status). However in some places, I've read that no single absence can be more than 1 year.

Which one is it? 6 months or 1 year?

To my current understanding, being out of the US for more than 6 consecutive months disrupts continuous residence. Meanwhile if she's out of the US for more than 1 year, she loses her Green Card automatically. Is this correct?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You are correct. Lawyer is wrong. Absences of 6 months messes up your naturalization clock though, as it seems you understand. Good luck.

[fazmo 24]

You are correct. Absense of 6 or more months breaks the continuous residence requirement. Absense of one 12 or more months may be considered voluntary abondment of residency.

[v333k 59]

She can leave for a period of 12 months or more but I believe she needs to apply for a re-entry permit or a travel document... rules around it are a bit confusing....