How long can you stay outside the US with non conditional greencard

[Hamza Sufi 8]

Hello everyone , 

i got my greencard in April 2019 and came back from the US in May 2019 , I stayed there a total of two months from March to May 2019. 

 

The only reason of me coming back from the US was to wrap up my business and property over here, I will be mostly done with everything until January

 

what I wanted to ask was when can I travel back to America without causing any problems at the entry points , I’ve heard more than a year is a problem, but if I go in mid February will that be a problem ? Is it too close to being a year ? 

 

Please help as im looking at tickets these days so that I can buy accordingly 

 

best regards 

[Boiler 43,437]

Sounds like you are moving outside the US and closing up your affairs?

 

You need to file the I 407 relinquishing your GC and then if you want to visit in future obtain a Visitor Visa.

[Hamza Sufi 8]

3 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Sounds like you are moving outside the US and closing up your affairs?

 

You need to file the I 407 relinquishing your GC and then if you want to visit in future obtain a Visitor Visa.

No sir I am in the process of moving to the US , I am in my home country currently to finish up my affairs over here and then go there permanently , my question was how long can I stay outside of the US before I start facing problems when going back to the US ? 

 

I came back here from the US in May 2019 and will be done with my work till January 2020 , planning to go back February 2020 

Edited September 11, 2019 by Hamza Sufi

[Boiler 43,437]

There is not a set period, known that new Immigrants may need to go back for a few months to tidy up their affairs, seems to be taking a long time? Any reason why?

[Hamza Sufi 8]

The process of selling out things and closing up a properly established business is not that easy in my country , I live in Pakistan and affairs like these can take a long time. 

 

on top of that my father passed away last year and I’m still stuck in the process of inheritance etc .  So multiple things

 

 

[Awais424 2]

2 hours ago, Hamza Sufi said:

The process of selling out things and closing up a properly established business is not that easy in my country , I live in Pakistan and affairs like these can take a long time. 

 

on top of that my father passed away last year and I’m still stuck in the process of inheritance etc .  So multiple things

 

 

I thnk u cant stay more then 6 months its better for you that move back  as soon as possible

 

[Just Paul 4,591]

1 hour ago, Awais424 said:

I thnk u cant stay more then 6 months its better for you that move back  as soon as possible

 

If you MIGHT be out of the US for a year or more, apply for a re-entry permit I-131 before you leave

Edited September 11, 2019 by Paul & Mary

[millefleur 5,035]

**Moved from General Immigration-Related Discussion to Working & Traveling During US Immigration**

[Hamza Sufi 8]

Thank you everyone for your responses ! 

[Hamza Sufi 8]

Why are you confused sir ? @Awais424

Edited September 12, 2019 by Hamza Sufi

[geowrian 22,335]

Agreed - if you are not certain on the timeline, best thing is to:

1) File an I-131 for a re-entry permit. You must be in the US when you file, and must complete biometrics in the US as well.

2) Establish ties in the US - bank accounts, credit card(s), file tax returns as a resident, etc.

3) Maintain the above ties.

4) Don't claim residency elsewhere while abroad.

 

With a re-entry permit and the above items, I would not expect any issues at least the first time within the 2 year period of the re-entry permit.

[Hamza Sufi 8]

3 hours ago, geowrian said:

Agreed - if you are not certain on the timeline, best thing is to:

1) File an I-131 for a re-entry permit. You must be in the US when you file, and must complete biometrics in the US as well.

2) Establish ties in the US - bank accounts, credit card(s), file tax returns as a resident, etc.

3) Maintain the above ties.

4) Don't claim residency elsewhere while abroad.

 

With a re-entry permit and the above items, I would not expect any issues at least the first time within the 2 year period of the re-entry permit.

Thank you sir for your elaborate response , from what information I gathered i found out that you don’t require a re entry permit if you come back within one year , which I will be coming back in around 10 months, so that’s why I didn’t apply for a re entry permit when leaving the US , is that right or will I be needing a re entry permit even if I am gone for less than a year ? 

 

Thanks 

[Nitas_man 3,100]

17 hours ago, Hamza Sufi said:

Hello everyone , 

i got my greencard in April 2019 and came back from the US in May 2019 , I stayed there a total of two months from March to May 2019. 

 

The only reason of me coming back from the US was to wrap up my business and property over here, I will be mostly done with everything until January

 

what I wanted to ask was when can I travel back to America without causing any problems at the entry points , I’ve heard more than a year is a problem, but if I go in mid February will that be a problem ? Is it too close to being a year ? 

 

Please help as im looking at tickets these days so that I can buy accordingly 

 

best regards 

The rules say up to (1) year

After 6 months they may or may not bring you to secondary.  

After a year they can assume you have abandoned residence and send you to immigration court.

 

When you return IF they bring you to secondary clearly explain what you were doing and be firm (but polite) that you are not surrendering your green card or going back.  They cannot take your green card, only an immigration judge can do that so you have to get a hearing.

 

As the loss of your father extended your stay you might want to carry some documentation on that.

 

 

Dont stay out for over a year.  

 

You have to apply for a travel document to be out for an extended time before you leave.  It’s too late for that.

 

Good luck

 

Edited September 12, 2019 by Nitas_man

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

Can you clarify, are you currently in Pakistan? 

[Nitas_man 3,100]

45 minutes ago, Hamza Sufi said:

Thank you sir for your elaborate response , from what information I gathered i found out that you don’t require a re entry permit if you come back within one year , which I will be coming back in around 10 months, so that’s why I didn’t apply for a re entry permit when leaving the US , is that right or will I be needing a re entry permit even if I am gone for less than a year ? 

 

Thanks 

No, but at >6 months they sometimes send you to secondary