Help - Do I need to file re-entry permit

[MovingwithGC]

I got my US green card on Nov 2004. I have been in the US until now with a couple trips (2-4 weeks) out of the country.

I am now moving to Australia on a Australian PR. I will be working for the same company from the office in Australia. I will be travelling back and forth to the office in US, atleast 1 trip every 3 months for atleast a week duration.

Questions:
1. Since I will not staying out the country continuosly for more than 1 year, do I need to file for I131 - Rentry permit?
2. If I file for i131 and get it for a 2 yr period, and not use it the i131 would only be losing time. Is it better to apply for it only when I am certain that I will stay for longer than 1 year? Any disadvantages with just having it?
3. Would there be an issue, if I travel after without re-entry permit a gap of 6 months but within 1 year? My wife is in this case, because she has been out of US for 5 months now and we did not file the rentry permit before she left.

Thanks

 

[Hulki]

I am also interested if someone replies, whether I 131 is a good idea or not. I have almost similar situation, where I would enter every 4 - 5 months, but I will be out for 1 to 2 years.

In my case, I returned after 9 months, but they didn't ask any question at the POE. Probably I was lucky, but I am an employee of a US firm and file return here. One of my brother in law entered after 10 months, he was not asked any question as well. He enters US every 10 - 11 months to retain the Green Card, but only in 2004 or 2005 he had real trouble when they kept him there for more than 4 hours. He was sent to the secondary inquiry many times, but he entered all the times. BTW, he is not a US tax payer. At the same time, he never lied at the POE about the duration. Seems that you should be able to prove your intention to reside permanently.