Question about living in another country

[MU193340 1]

Hello:

 

Hoping someone may be able to assist or provide clarity. My wife currently has a approved 10 year green card as of last year. The only thing left is to apply for dual citizenship. If we were to move to her country for say 2-3 years to have a child and she did not apply for dual citizenship, what would happen to her green card? Has anyone moved to their significant others countries before? We would eventually come back to the USA. Is there a form to fill out that  allows it? My wife is from Sweden and I am American. Thanks for any assistance!

 

Brian

Edited February 10, 2018 by MU193340

[Dualie 185]

I believe she would lose her green card. USCIS would consider her residency abandoned. Others on the site may know of a way she may apply to keep it, but I am not aware of any. Your best bet would be to get her citizenship before you make the move. 

[Roel 7,192]

She will loose her green card. She can file for reentry permit that allows her to be out of States for 2 years max!

Without that permit (or if she stays abroad longer than 1 year ) she will lose her green card and won't be allowed back to the USA. Unless you file for spouse visa and go through the process again. 

 

She should be aware that green card means she needs to reside in the USA. If she wants to travel freely she needs to wait for citizenship. 

 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Re-entry permit, then renew if longer than 2 years (but have to return to US to renew). Can only renew ro max 5 years. Would probably be better to get dual citizenship first if possible. In either case, remember you and her still need to file tax returns with the IRS every year even while living abroad. Particularly important for her to do if she leaves as a green card holder rather than a citizen. Also if she leaves as a green card holder remember that time spent abroad in excess of 6 months interrupts her continuous residence requirement for naturalization.