How long can a greencard holder stay outside the US?

[ags143 0]

My boyfriend (a filipino citizen) just got his greencard last June. He was in South Korea then, and had been living there for two years. He got his greencard from his step-dad, who is a US citizen. 

 

He went home here in the Philippines last July. And we want to spend more time together so he's thinking of spending more time here in the PH before migrating to the US.

 

Now I just want to ask, for how long can a greencard holder stay outside the US, especially if he just received his greencard?

 

 Also, another info to note - he went to Guam just last June, a week before he received his greencard. 

 

It's been really tough for us because we've been together for 5 years and things are really getting complicated. I hope someone can help us decide. Thank you! 

Edited September 10, 2017 by ags143

[Going through 5,671]

Has he entered the US at all since receiving his green card?

 

Read this link carefully https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/international-travel-permanent-resident#travel

 

One important thing to note from that info above:

 

Permanent residents are free to travel outside the United States, and temporary or brief travel usually does not affect your permanent resident status. If it is determined, however, that you did not intend to make the United States your permanent home, you will be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status.  A general guide used is whether you have been absent from the United States for more than a year. Abandonment may be found to occur in trips of less than a year where it is believed you did not intend to make the United States your permanent residence.  

Edited September 10, 2017 by Going through

[Marcelina 246]

It all depends how long the trip will be. Generally speaking permanent residents are free to travel  but it might affect the "resident status".  This guide might be helpful http://www.visajourney.com/content/us-permanent-resident-international-travel

[abum 324]

maybe it is best if he just go to the USA again, apply for Re-entry permit and then return to PH. that will allow him extra time out of the country - up to 2 years of the date the Re-entry permit is granted.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Generally, trips out of the US for up to 6 months are fine, provided you aren't doing it all the time. 

 

Trips of between 6 and 12 months may require an LPR to demonstrate that they haven't abandoned their residency (this may mean showing proof of filing federal tax returns, maintaining a US residence, insurance policies, etc.) 

 

Trips of between 12 and 24 months would require the alien to apply for a re-entry permit before departing, and the same proof of non-abandonment as above. 

Edited September 10, 2017 by Hypnos