This might help
my people this america dream na wah, you can let go and can't stay back.
How long is acceptable to stay outside the united state in other to keep the green card valid, since am not the winner (but husband) i intend to stay 11month and probably visit every once in a year, is this acceptable?. and what is the penalty if i fill a form to stay more than one year......
please help out
Less Than a Year: Use Your Green Card
If you are a lawful permanent resident (immigrant) returning to the United States from a visit abroad of less than a year, you may apply for readmission by presenting your Permanent Resident Card ("Green Card") to the immigration authorities at a port of entry.
(The one-year time limitation does not apply to the spouse or child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or of a civilian employee of the U.S. Government stationed abroad pursuant to official orders. In this case, the spouse or child must present the card mentioned above, not have relinquished residence, and be preceding or accompanying the member or employee, or be following to join the member or employee in the United States within four months of the return of the member or employee).
1-2 Years: Reentry Permit
If you are a lawful permanent resident or conditional permanent resident and wish to remain outside the United States for more than one year, but less than two, you require a reentry permit. A reentry permit is not required for a trip that is shorter than one year. (You should note that an absence of more than one year will break the period of continuous residence required to become a citizen, even if a reentry permit is issued -- see Application for Preservation of Residence). A Reentry Permit is also issued to lawful permanent residents who want to travel outside the United States, but cannot get a national passport from their country of nationality. A reentry permit is valid for two years and may not be extended.
An application (Form I-131, Application for Travel Document), along with the supporting documentation and fees, should be submitted while in the United States, at least 30 days prior to your proposed date of departure, to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Northern Service Center, 100 Centennial Mall North, Room B-26, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508. If you think you may have to leave the United States before the reentry permit is received, you may have it sent to a U.S. Consulate or USCIS office overseas for pick up. There is a place on Form I-131 to furnish the information necessary to receive the reentry permit outside of the United States. However, even though you may receive the reentry permit overseas, the application must be submitted while you are still in the United States.
Application for Preservation of Residence
A Reentry Permit does not preserve residence for naturalization purposes. Form N-470 (Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes) must be filed with USCIS prior to departure from the United States. This form is for lawful permanent residents who must leave the United States for certain employment purposes and wish to preserve their immigrant status in order to pursue naturalization. Further information may be obtained from the USCIS office having jurisdiction over your place of residence in the United States.
