Green Card Renewal

[RiteshSanghvi]

Hi folks,

My parents hold the GC since Nov 1997. They visit US every year but have not formally settled here. Their GC is up for renewal next month and they are applying from India. They have been told that since they don't reside in US, renewal is next to impossible. They are in dilemma whether they should apply anyway, or surrender the GC and get a 10 year multiple entry visa. They are concerned that if the renewal application gets rejected, it might jeopardize the multiple entry visa request as well.

Any input will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[boatbod]

Tricky problem. Maybe the best bet is to voluntarily surrender the GC (prior to renewal being denied by USCIS), so you can use this as evidence of non-immigrant intent to the consular official who will be adjudicating the B1/B2 visa.

 

[Jackolantern]

Renewal will indeed be impossible from India, given their history of not living here. They are lucky the green card hasn't already been taken away. Even if the card is renewed, it is still liable to be taken away whenever they visit the US, if the immigration officer is aware of the numerous long absences away from the US.

I agree with boatbod; they should voluntarily surrender the card. Otherwise, the fact that they had a card and tried to renew it will be taken as evidence of immigrant intent, which would block them from obtaining a tourist visa.

 

[warlord]

I agree that their GC has been unofficially abandoned and good chance one of the next visits they will be caught and have the cards removed at the border and possibly denied entry. They should go to the US embasy in India and surrender the cards and then as mentioned apply for B2 visas when they plan to visit again...