How long can a green card holder be out of US

[reshmaya]

Hi friends,

I have 3 urgent questions related to my green card.if anyone could help me, I will be very grateful

Q1: How long can a Green Card holder be technically out of US?I have heard that the maximum stay outside is 6 months.If this true?What if the person wants to stay in an alien country for almost an year?

Q2: We got our I-551 stamp via Consular processing .The stamp shows a validity until Sep 2005 which is 1 year from when we entered the US .We still have not gotten the plastic cards yet.We reported the change of address a while ago.The question we have is do we just wait or do we contact the consulate nearby for a walkin for collecting the green cards.

Q3: Come September what happens if the cards dont come, do we become out of status?

Please help.Thanks a lot for your advice
Mrs. Reddy.

[ginnu]

Originally Posted by reshmaya

Hi friends,

I have 3 urgent questions related to my green card.if anyone could help me, I will be very grateful

Q1: How long can a Green Card holder be technically out of US?
--------- one can enter Before 1 year if apply for Rentry permit before going out of US then Reentry permit is valid for 2 years
I have heard that the maximum stay outside is 6 months.If this true?
----------- One can stay more than 6 months but if you spend more then 6 months then that time beaks continued residence for Citizenship purpose

What if the person wants to stay in an alien country for almost an year?
--------- one should Enter BEFORE 1 year or apply for Reentry permit before you go out of US
Q2: We got our I-551 stamp via Consular processing .The stamp shows a validity until Sep 2005 which is 1 year from when we entered the US .
We still have not gotten the plastic cards yet.We reported the change of address a while ago.The question we have is do we just wait or do we contact the consulate nearby for a walkin for collecting the green cards.
-------------- Green Card will be sent by USCIS in US on the address you provide when you first time entred with Immigrant visa and at US airport and you gave fingerprint and signed white form before officer
Q3: Come September what happens if the cards dont come, do we become out of status?
-------- you dont become out of status, if the stamp is going to expire then take infopass with local USCIS office and get the passport stamp valid for 1 year

** you entred about 1 year back, did you file enquery about your Card? did you talk to NCSC 1-800-375-5283?
*** you should file the Form G-731, - Inquiry About Status of I-551 Alien
Registration Card with the service center. I dont know where you entred in US first time if entred NJ or NY or MD, MA then send the form to VSC
Please help.Thanks a lot for your advice
Mrs. Reddy.

[reshmaya]

Thank you for your response.

We actually live in CA but entered the US then from NJ.At that time (almost an year ago) we were living in a different address.We gave our future address then as the "current" address, since we were waiting for our new home that we moved in recently.

We also reported our change of address to USCIS shortly after we moved in...about 3-4 months ago.

Since our 1 year on 551 stamp is nearing and we still have not gotten the plastic cards, i am beginning to wonder if our change of address has even propagated into the system, specially with the previous address being no longer a valid address.

Thanks again for your reply.
R

[ginnu]

Originally Posted by reshmaya

Thank you for your response.

We actually live in CA but entered the US then from NJ.At that time (almost an year ago) we were living in a different address.We gave our future address then as the "current" address, since we were waiting for our new home that we moved in recently.

We also reported our change of address to USCIS shortly after we moved in...about 3-4 months ago.
-----did you only file form AR11? becase AR11 does not change address on pending petitions with USCIS. as you entred through NJ i think your Card processing was sent to VSC. you need to contact VSC also call I-8003755283, provide your A# ,DOB, name
Since our 1 year on 551 stamp is nearing and we still have not gotten the plastic cards,
--------- go to local USCIS to get new passport stamp
i am beginning to wonder if our change of address has even propagated into the system, specially with the previous address being no longer a valid address.
--------------- may that address change created the problem. file the form I-90 to LA lock box but before that talk to NCSC or VSC
Thanks again for your reply.
R