Green card and moving back

[djv]

Hoping someone can help with some green card/ citizenship questions...

I am a US citizen by birth and my wife is a green card holder. She received the green card based on our marriage. She has had the green card for almost three years, so I understand she can apply for citizenship, correct? It is 3 years (less 90 days) if GC by marriage and 5 otherwise, right?

We are considering relocating to Europe for family reasons. I am awaiting an EU passport and our two children are dual citizens, but I have some questions about her status...

1. What happens with her green card? Is it still valid if we live overseas?
2. It took 4 years to get the green card (Houston INS), so I'm thinking US citizenship would be a long time as well (anyone experienced w/ Houston timeframe?). Does she have to remain in the US during the application process if applied for from within the US?
3. Can she apply for US citizenship from outside the US via a consulate if the answer to 2 is yes?
4. Any other things we need to be aware of?

TIA

[djv]

Thanks for the response. The green card will be lost when it expires, or earlier?

[pralay]

Originally Posted by djv

The green card will be lost when it expires, or earlier?

Her green card becomes invalid when she abandons her LPR status (i.e. when she leaves USA peramenently).

[djv]

Define permanently. If she has seven years left on the GC when we move and we return after 6 years, then is it still considered valid? What is temporary?

[pralay]

Originally Posted by djv

Define permanently.

For your case, it is (as you mentioned):
"We are considering relocating to Europe for family reasons."

Basically when she abandons her US residence and relocates to Europe.

Originally Posted by djv

What is temporary?

Sometimes that has fixed timeframe. In USCIS's term, it's two years with re-entry permit.

[djv]

Thanks guys. So, if we make the move she will lose the GC status. If we decide to come back in say 5 yrs will there be any problems? I assume we would have to start the process all over again beginning with a visa for her from a US Consulate, but I'm wondering if there will be any issues since she lost the PR status previously.

[djv]

Thanks again. Yeah, I checked into citizenship times f/ Houston and it doesn't look bad at all. In fact the timing may be just right. I was really po'd about the 4 years. I think it was when I finally wrote a letter to my congressman that something happened.