Leaving (and returning) to the US on 10 Year GC

[ajm_80 0]

Hi all

I filed my I-751 back in the spring at VSC and judging by the recent posts of other VSC filers, I'm anticipating that all being well, my 10 Yr GC should drop sometime in November (but with this process there are no guarantees of course!).

Anyway, I am considering returning to Scotland once the 10 Yr card arrives, for a substantial period, but no longer than 6 months. My brother is having health problems and I would like to be with my family for a period longer than my company vacation time allows. My wife will not be travelling with me as her father is also in ill health. Having discussed it at length we think it both best that I spend some time in Scotland and she remains with her parents.

In order to make this happen I would obviously have to resign from my job in the US, and my finances dictate that I will most likely work in a temporary position back in the UK. I was also considering selling my car, but we'll see about that one.

Anyway if I am out of the US for up to 6 months, perhaps less, what kind of difficulty would that create in returning? I've read the residency requirements on the USCIS website, but would it raise questions on my return that I did not have a job to come straight back to in the US etc?

Has anyone actually been through this? I'm slightly concerned, more so because I will be going alone, I think that may raise a question or two. My wife will most likely be visiting during that time though. Would it be beneficial to make a visit to the US during the time that I'm in Scotland to minimize the period of continuous absence?

Kind Regards, Tony.

[YuAndDan 153]

No difficulty at all an LPR can travel out of country for up to 12 months without needing to file first for a re-entry permit (I-131).

Note it is a good idea to keep the period less than 6 months if you are considering becoming a US citizen, periods longer than 6 months reset the residency requirement for naturalization.

Maintaining Permanent Residence You may lose your permanent residence status if you commit an act that makes you removable from the United States under the law in section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If you commit such an act, you may be brought before the immigration courts to determine your right to remain a Permanent Resident.

You may be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status if you:

• Move to another country intending to live there permanently.

• Remain outside of the US for more than one year without obtaining a reentry permit or returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.

• Remain outside of the US for more than two years after issuance of a reentry permit without obtaining a returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.

• Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the US for any period.

• Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your tax returns.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD