I am in a similar situation. I have been living in a foreign country since September 2006 because of my husband's job. He got this job just days after I received my new temporary green card. I had to apply for a Re-Entry Permit before I left the U.S. and it allows me to be out of the country for 2 years without jeopardizing my permanent residence status. You CAN be out of the country for no more than 1 year (11 months is better) but if it's more than 6 months it really is advisable to apply for a Re-Entry Permit. It's also important to maintain a permanent residence in the U.S. while you are abroad.
If I were you I would go back to the U.S. at the 6 month point, apply for the Re-Entry Permit since you must be in the U.S. to apply, and then go back to where ever it is you were. You don't have to wait for the permit to be processed. It can be mailed to an address in a foreign country.
Staying Longer than 6 Months in Foreign Country
in Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion
Posted
I am in a similar situation. I have been living in a foreign country since September 2006 because of my husband's job. He got this job just days after I received my new temporary green card. I had to apply for a Re-Entry Permit before I left the U.S. and it allows me to be out of the country for 2 years without jeopardizing my permanent residence status. You CAN be out of the country for no more than 1 year (11 months is better) but if it's more than 6 months it really is advisable to apply for a Re-Entry Permit. It's also important to maintain a permanent residence in the U.S. while you are abroad.
If I were you I would go back to the U.S. at the 6 month point, apply for the Re-Entry Permit since you must be in the U.S. to apply, and then go back to where ever it is you were. You don't have to wait for the permit to be processed. It can be mailed to an address in a foreign country.
Hope this helps!