Green Card Status/Travel to Philippines longer than 6 months?

[coa24 69]

Hello all,

 

My wife and I have been seriously thinking about going to the Philippines for her cancer treatment. She has been treated here in the USA with insulin potentiation therapy-low dose chemotherapy (IPT-LD chemo) with a high dose of vitamin C. However; finances are a real concern now since our money for treatment is now drying up. Anyway, having immunotherapy (different from IPT-LD chemo) is an excellent option to fight cancer. Anyway, the cost will be $3,000 versus $12,000 per month (insurance doesn't cover, Immunotherapy in the USA cost up to $150,000 per year). 

 

Right now, she has a green card that is due to have the removal of conditions by September 2017 (file), her green card expires in December.  We certainly do not want to lose her legal status. What is a safe time be out of the country and what can we do to establish an assurance that she will be able to enter back in the country? I have heard 6 months and as high as less than 12 months. Should we file with the USCIS? Her mother was approved for a travel visa to come to the USA and can come as soon as she receives her passport in the coming days. However, if we decide on treatment in the Philippines, we will not bring her over.

 

We could continue treatment here, right now we have 2 more chemo treatments then the PET scan to check progress. From there, we need to make a decision to go the immunotherapy route in the Philippines or stick with what we have and start the new protocol of Taxol and Herceptin. Herceptin is highly toxic to the heart and will not be able to reduce the dosage. 

 

Some information for your educational needs - this is the immunotherapy center we are considering in the Philippines. We have a friend there now who is being treated successfully for his throat cancer (a US Citizen).  http://drfarrahcancercenter.com/

-This treatment could take as little as one month to 2 years to have full remission. Most cases have full remission in under 6 months. 

 

This is the treatment center we are currently at in the USA - https://www.nhwellnesscenters.com/treatments-wellness/cancer-therapy/ we believe she is responding but will know more in 4 weeks. 

 

Thanks in advance for your response.

Edited January 11, 2017 by coa24

[Sagot 1,548]

8 minutes ago, coa24 said:

Hello all,

 

My wife and I have been seriously thinking about going to the Philippines for her cancer treatment. She has been treated here in the USA with insulin potentiation therapy-low dose chemotherapy (IPT-LD chemo) with a high dose of vitamin C. However; finances are a real concern now since our money for treatment is now drying up. Anyway, having immunotherapy (different from IPT-LD chemo) is an excellent option to fight cancer. Anyway, the cost will be $3,000 versus $12,000 per month (insurance doesn't cover, Immunotherapy in the USA cost up to $150,000 per year). 

 

Right now, she has a green card that is due to have the removal of conditions by September 2017 (file), her green card expires in December.  We certainly do not want to lose her legal status. What is a safe time be out of the country and what can we do to establish an assurance that she will be able to enter back in the country? I have heard 6 months and as high as less than 12 months. Should we file with the USCIS? Her mother was approved for a travel visa to come to the USA and can come as soon as she receives her passport in the coming days. However, if we decide on treatment in the Philippines, we will not bring her over.

 

We could continue treatment here, right now we have 2 more chemo treatments then the PET scan to check progress. From there, we need to make a decision to go the immunotherapy route in the Philippines or stick with what we have and start the new protocol of Taxol and Herceptin. Herceptin is highly toxic to the heart and will not be able to reduce the dosage. 

 

Some information for your educational needs - this is the immunotherapy center we are considering in the Philippines. We have a friend there now who is being treated successfully for his throat cancer (a US Citizen).  http://drfarrahcancercenter.com/

-This treatment could take as little as one month to 2 years to have full remission. Most cases have full remission in under 6 months. 

 

This is the treatment center we are currently at in the USA - https://www.nhwellnesscenters.com/treatments-wellness/cancer-therapy/ we believe she is responding but will know more in 4 weeks. 

 

Thanks in advance for your response.

Sorry to hear on the cancer.  

 

Max time out of country one year.    Max time to be out of country and not have issues later -   6 months.

 

Do make note of the last section regarding the I-131

 

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/international-travel-permanent-resident

 

 

And DO get signed up for PhilHealth!!

 

 

 

Edited January 11, 2017 by Sagot

[coa24 69]

She does have PhilHealth. As well as other insurance there. Our struggle is made larger due to her getting cancer during pregnancy and now taking care of our baby during her treatments. Just a tough situation all around. Thanks for the link.

 

Does she have to be in the USA to file for the removal of conditions? 

Edited January 11, 2017 by coa24

[Greenbaum 12,258]

She doesn't need to be in the US when filing, but she will have to return for biometrics. 

 

Good luck and I pray she has a full recovery.  Been done that road and it's filled with many unkowns, luck and hope.

[Sagot 1,548]

11 hours ago, coa24 said:

She does have PhilHealth. As well as other insurance there. Our struggle is made larger due to her getting cancer during pregnancy and now taking care of our baby during her treatments. Just a tough situation all around. Thanks for the link.

 

Does she have to be in the USA to file for the removal of conditions? 

I can find nothing that states she has to be in the USA to file.  As Greenbaum said, she will have to attend biometrics .. no choice there.

 

Do make sure you have 2 years of evidence of living as a married couple; utility bills in both names, insurances in both names, anything with reoccurring statements.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/conditional-permanent-residence

 

https://www.uscis.gov/system/files_force/files/form/i-751instr.pdf