Living in Another Country While on Green Card Question

[cupcakefanatic 1]

Hello, I've just received my 10 year green card after spending 2 years on a conditional green card. My wife got a job offer in Abu Dhabi and we are thinking of going for 2-4 years. What, if any, influence will this have on my residency? We would come back to the states every summer for a few weeks to visit friends and family. Hopefully someone had a similar experience before. Thanks.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

A green card is for living in the US which means more time in the US than out. Coming for a few weeks each summer is a good way for the card to be taken at entry. If you are not living in the US, you will have to apply when you return and th you will get a 10 year card automatically

[Inky 1,111]

Re-entry permit or abandon status and just apply for a new spousal visa when you are ready to come back to the USA.

[Shiobhan 235]

You can apply for a returning resident approval before you leave

that'll only cover 2 yrs if approved, if you just leave and stay gone

that's abandonment of your GC

[Peter_Pan 661]

I would do the following: maintain residence at a relative's house (have mail sent to it, maintain a bank account, a driver's license and so on), make sure I am not out of the US for more than a year, and, next year apply for citizenship. That's how you can be outside of the US for how long you wish, without losing privileges.

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

***** Moving from Effects of Major Changes to Travelling During US Immigration ****

How quickly would she need to go?

How important is it for the two of you to be together all the time?

If there is any way you can, I'd wait it out until you can get citizenship, which should be less than a year, then you don;t have to worry about immigration anymore

[cupcakefanatic 1]

We would be leaving mid to late August. Preferably, we wouldn't want to be separated during this process at any time. The offer wouldn't be there anymore in a year so it is something that would have to be accepted now. Also, I've read somewhere that the re-entry permit is only necessary if you are going to be staying for a year or longer at a time. Since we would spend 10-11 months overseas at a time, we should be ok when re-entering the states. But I guess it is better to be safe than sorry and get a permit.

***** Moving from Effects of Major Changes to Travelling During US Immigration ****

How quickly would she need to go?

How important is it for the two of you to be together all the time?

If there is any way you can, I'd wait it out until you can get citizenship, which should be less than a year, then you don;t have to worry about immigration anymore

[Dave&Roza 748]

We would be leaving mid to late August. Preferably, we wouldn't want to be separated during this process at any time. The offer wouldn't be there anymore in a year so it is something that would have to be accepted now. Also, I've read somewhere that the re-entry permit is only necessary if you are going to be staying for a year or longer at a time. Since we would spend 10-11 months overseas at a time, we should be ok when re-entering the states. But I guess it is better to be safe than sorry and get a permit.

This is a very good way to lose your GC. CBP will see that you left the US for 10-11 months, entered for a few weeks and then left for 10-11 months. The next time you try to re-enter you will be placed into secondary and asked all kinds of questions about your US residency and why you have been outside the US for 22 of the last 24 months. The best is to apply for a re-entry permit to cover you for two years. Just remember that being outside the US for more than six months has an effect on your ability to file for USC. Goto to page 5 of this worksheet to see how this trip will impact you if you want to become a USC. I understand that you want to be with your wife now, but you may jeopardize your ability to re-enter the US and be with her in the future if this is not planned correctly. IMHO, I would have her leave and you can go with her, file for a re-entry permit at an address of a relative so you can return for any appointments required. Once you have the re-entry permit, you can remain outside the US for almost 2 years. Then see how things are and either re-apply for another re-enter permit or remain in the US for a while. The other option is to wait until you can file for USC, and then file the N-400 and wait until you have become a USC and then you do not have to worry about this. It does mean you will not be with your wife in the beginning. You can abandon your GC and then have your wife apply for a spousal visa when she is ready to return to the US and spend all that time and money again.

Good luck,

Dave