First trip after reciving GC, How long?

S

steffi

Registered Users (C)
How long can a person be outside the US on the first trip after receiving their greencard? Is there a set rule or is this a grey area? We certainly don't want to upset immigration or compromise the greencard in anyway so I'd like to know what the standard is.
 
Why would the first trip be any different from any other trip?

You can't stay abroad for more than one year, without a re-entry permit. If you plan to remain more than one year, but less than 2...file form I-131 application for re-entry permit.
 
better make your trip for less then 6 months. This is the safest I heard from lawyers and other people.
 
If you plan to stay more than a year but less than 2 years you must apply for a Re-entry permit before leaving the US. IF you stay longer than 2 years you can loose your green card since you are breaking the "residency" term since is suppose that you apply for residency is to live and work in the US not outside, unless you are in an official US goverment/armed forces type of job.
Check the part at the uscis.gov when it says "now that you are a permanent resident".

Good luck,
 
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