Going back to VN

[tan&tuyet 15]

So my wife went back to vietnam because her mom is dying. She has her green card and everything. My question is will she have any re entry trouble coming back to the US?

[islandgal 74]

So my wife went back to vietnam because her mom is dying. She has her green card and everything. My question is will she have any re entry trouble coming back to the US?

Why would she? She's now a Permanent Resident and can come and go as freely as she wants. Just ensure she doesn't stay out of the USA too long each time. She won't have any troubles on re-entry.

[southcalhog 43]

Why would she? She's now a Permanent Resident and can come and go as freely as she wants. Just ensure she doesn't stay out of the USA too long each time. She won't have any troubles on re-entry.

Exactly! She is a Permanent Resident and can go and come as she pleases, as long as what you said she dont stay out of the US too long. I dont know if its 6 months or a year?

[ScottThuy 140]

The residency comes into question if she is out of the country more than a year. She will be fine, If she is out 6 months or more she should carry a document with her when she returns so that when CBP asks why were you gone so long, she can tell them and provide proof.. they will enter that into the system and the issue will be gone at that point... My wife is in VN now caring for her mother until she passes and it could be any day now. Looks like I am going to be flying over for a funeral soon...

[ScottThuy 140]

According to the past tense of the verb, I assume she already went there and currently in VN. Then it's too late for her to apply for the "Reentry Permit", which is the ONLY legal document that will ensure her coming back to the US, regardless of how long she might stay outside the US.

Make sure she comes back BEFORE the one-year deadline (counting from the day she left the US) or it'll be up to the CBP officer's call. (they've heard lots of excuses and don't think your or her excuse is any better).

No need for a re-entry permit with a green card... she won't likely be there more than a year...

[tan&tuyet 15]

No need for a re-entry permit with a green card... she won't likely be there more than a year...

She is only going for 6 weeks so she should be fine right?

[ScottThuy 140]

[phil09 8]

She is only going for 6 weeks so she should be fine right?

A short 6-week trip should not be a problem.

This article should be useful reading for those who plan longer trips, e.g., 6 months or more:

http://tinyurl.com/8a9qxah

[b_weeks 6]

Even though the INS says 1 year, Customs and Border Patrol usually will turn people back after 6 months.

I was in a similat situation last year with my wife and her Grandmother. I actually called both the Chicago (O'Hare) and JFK Customs and Border Patrol offices. They both said that as a rule of thumb they ask for a re-entry permit if the length of stay is longer than 6 months.

Here is the STICKLER. In order to file for a re-entry permit, the Green Card Holder must be in the US to go to their local INS office after making a scheduled appointment to obtain an approved re-entry permit.

From everything I have read, you CANNOT file for a re-entry permit outside the US.