How long a green card holder can stay out of USA without risking green card?

Misis ni KC

The USCIS website says 1 year or more unless you applied for re-entry permit (Form I-131) before you left.But staying out of the US for more than 6 months can already raise an issue of abandoning the residency since it is dependent on the Immigration Officer to evaluate without really going by the 1 year rule.So to be safe try to stay out of the USA for less than 6 months.

claria

per year, less than 12 months. if you plan to be out for more than 12 months, you need to first apply for a re-entry permit: Form I-131. you can find this form at: www.uscis.gov

update: let's say it takes 5 years for you to become a citizen, you can only be out a total of 30 months out of 5 years.

if you live with a u.s. citizen (through marriage), at least 18 months out out of 3 years.

redhead27

i dont think its any more than 3-6 months. if you are going back to your country for long periods alot then you are showing our government that you don't want to contribute or be part of this country, hence your greencard will be reviews. Basically the first 2 years are probationary on the condition that you get a job and stay in the country to prove to our government that your marriage is real and also that you want to be a part of this country and contribute through becoming a taxpayer. Otherwise, why be here?

pianojangee

Maintaining Permanent Residence

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 â€œnonimmigrantâ€ on your tax returns

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=fe17e6b0eb13d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=4f719c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

devinder

i am green card holder if i stay india 6 month and come usa one month so then when i get citizen ship if every time i stay india 6 month and one month stay in usa thanks

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