Left USA before ROC was completed

[Geoff&Giulia 1]

We were on the final stage of removing conditions on my wife's green card before we made the decision to move back to Italy for personal reasons. My question is: If we decide to move back to the states sometime in the future, will we have to go through the process all over again? 

[Roel 7,192]

Not completing RoC equals losing the green card, generally speaking. 

 

Kind of bad decision you made. Could have applied for naturalization, wait few more months and your wife could travel and live everywhere as US citizen. 

 

But oh well. Yes. If you decide to move to the US in future you'll have to go through spouse Visa process from the very beginning. Not RoC since that's all gone. The whole new green card process. 

Edited June 16, 2019 by Roel

[Dashinka 24,609]

Yes, you will have to file for a new spousal visa if and when you decide to come back to the US.  Additionally, even though your wife’s physical GC was expired, she was still an LPR, so you may want to research the I407 process of abandoning the LPR status formally.

 

Good Luck!

Edited June 16, 2019 by Bill & Katya

[Just Paul 4,595]

55 minutes ago, Geoff&Giulia said:

will we have to go through the process all over again? 

Yes, about a year to a year and half from when you want to go back to the US, file the I-130/I-130A.  Depending on how your assets look you might need a joint sponsor. 

 

The good news is that you will get a 10 year GC.

[Geoff&Giulia 1]

4 hours ago, Roel said:

 

Quote

Kind of bad decision you made. Could have applied for naturalization, wait few more months and your wife could travel and live everywhere as US citizen. 

 

We had no choice.

 

[Going through 5,671]

Also keep in mind that when you do decide to move back to the US years down the road, you will need to reestablish US domicile for your spouse to be able to immigrate if living abroad for an extended length of time.

Edited June 17, 2019 by Going through

[HRQX 4,145]

On 6/16/2019 at 6:49 AM, Bill & Katya said:

even though your wife’s physical GC was expired, she was still an LPR, so you may want to research the I407 process of abandoning the LPR status formally.

If OP's wife still hasn't done the I-407, there is an updated policy: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-will-no-longer-accept-i-407-international-field-offices

"Individuals who wish to voluntarily record abandonment of their lawful permanent resident (LPR) status must submit Form I-407 via mail to: USCIS Eastern Forms Center"