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How can I keep validity of Green Card when I stay often outside of USA?

H

Hencer

Registered Users (C)
I know that it is necessary that a green card owner does not stay more than 365 days abroad, for example in other countries. In that case people have to make a re-entry permit.

My idea was: in order to keep the green card valid, I will go every year to USA for one week for holiday.

Does this idea function to keep the GC valid or must I have a home in the USA? Please tell me.
 
the key work in "permanent resident card" is "permanent". You have to stay in the us longer than outside. Your in and outs are recorded. If they notice that you are spending more time outside the country, they may revoke your card. You should stay put until you get the citizenship(5 years), after that, do as you wish.
 
I think it's okay as long as every six months you have to enter USA.
I know some people that have GC but live in another country, they just come every five or six months to have a vacation in the US for a bout 3 weeks to 1 month.
 
I think it's okay as long as every six months you have to enter USA.
I know some people that have GC but live in another country, they just come every five or six months to have a vacation in the US for a bout 3 weeks to 1 month.
 
Hencer said:
I know that it is necessary that a green card owner does not stay more than 365 days abroad, for example in other countries. In that case people have to make a re-entry permit.

My idea was: in order to keep the green card valid, I will go every year to USA for one week for holiday.

Does this idea function to keep the GC valid or must I have a home in the USA? Please tell me.
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This is not how it works, it's called "permanent" residency for a reason... You might get lucky for a couple of returns back into the US, but you'd risk on every return to have your GC revoked and your entry denied.
You can however file for a re-entry permit if you need to stay abroad temporarily (up to 2 years) for employment, studies or taking care of family, see I-131

Or as the previous poster mentioned, maintain your US residency for 5 years and then apply for naturalization
 
1. A driver's license issued within the past year and reflecting the same address as that recorded on the customs declaration form.
2. The name and address of a U.S. employer and evidence that a salary has been paid in the United States within a reasonable period of time.
3. Evidence of having filed U.S. federal income tax returns for the past year.
4. Evidence of property ownership, whether real or personal, in the U.S.
 
^^^ exactly! You have to show proof you have your residence over here and not that you are using the USA for a place to get a free pass to go on vacation, because in that case you can get a tourist visa.

As other posters have stated "at any time you can be stopped at re-entering and the GC can be revoked and you have to start from scratch.
 
I don't understand one thing.. to topicstarter, if you only want to spent 1 week a year in the USA... why do you even want a greencard then? That doesn't make a lot of sense to me :confused:
 
I guess some people are under the impression that a GC is a free ticket to stay and leave whenever you want...they want the fun without the responsibility of paying taxes and tributing to the country...while other are anxious waiting to win and start a new life.
 
bentlebee said:
I guess some people are under the impression that a GC is a free ticket to stay and leave whenever you want...they want the fun without the responsibility of paying taxes and tributing to the country...while other are anxious waiting to win and start a new life.[/QUOTE

It is pretty sad.
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And where is the problem if I make with my GC whatever I do? I won it, not you. People who dont win are jealous about people who win it. On the other hand I can say: those people who have lost and lost every year and are now jealous should rather stop taking part at GC lottery as by not taking part at GC lottery they give other people a higher chance to win.
It´s crazy. Some people really think the GC Lottery is a 1.000.000 Pound ticket. People from poor countries dont want to work in their own countries in low jobs even if the payment is same high/low like abroad, but when they come to USA then they do not afraid of doing such type of jobs. It is crazy what people expect from USA. USA does not take any poor people to USA. You must show money and some good points to get a GC.
 
what are you talking about? who told you we did not win. We are just saying that there are people that wish they had the chance to leave their life behind and move permanently to the USA, their are people on F-1 or H1-b (people with money usually) who have to leave because they don't have the GC. You won it, and that is good for you, but now you want to stay home and use it as a "tourist visa"? That is messed up and everybody whether they have the GC, don't have it or even are US citizens can see it. Come on, even you know that it is not fair.
 
Hencer said:
And where is the problem if I make with my GC whatever I do? I won it, not you. People who dont win are jealous about people who win it. On the other hand I can say: those people who have lost and lost every year and are now jealous should rather stop taking part at GC lottery as by not taking part at GC lottery they give other people a higher chance to win.
It´s crazy. Some people really think the GC Lottery is a 1.000.000 Pound ticket. People from poor countries dont want to work in their own countries in low jobs even if the payment is same high/low like abroad, but when they come to USA then they do not afraid of doing such type of jobs. It is crazy what people expect from USA. USA does not take any poor people to USA. You must show money and some good points to get a GC.
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I'm not saying this is ALWAYS the case but I know that a lot of poor people would rather do the lowest job in the US so that one day their kids would not have to do the same jobs as well. Most people migrating do so to provide otherwise unthinkable opportunities for the next generation. Rich people have other means of securing their kids' future. Poor people kids cannot afford to go away on F-1 visas etc, so you can be sure that winning the DV is indeed like a million dollar ticket to some people.

You are very lucky to win, no need to worry about others' jealousy, just do your thing... Good Luck.
 
Ok ppl do not let the spirit of the forum go adrift !!

Hencer, do this when you come to US with the GC.....meet a 'competent' immigration lawyer and he/she will do the needful, and explain your options.

Good Luck!
 
Geez Hencer, what a bad attitude you have!

First of all you did not "win" anything yet. You got a NL that is not the same as a GC, you still need to qualify. And I hope, with an attitude like you have, they will find something to disqualify you to be honest.

As said, a lot of people are hoping for a better life. And they might not have a lot of money but people are willing to go far to obtain a better life. You can't judge about that so cut it out with the bad behavior please.

The question you ask clearly shows you have no idea what the purpose of a GC is. Therefore YOU should not have participated in the lottery and gave up your spot for someone who does know what the purpose is. Too bad computers are random with selecting, luckily theres immigration officers for that :)

No you cannot use a GC as a tourist visa. If you do not live in the USA for the bigger part of a year it will be revoked. Btw. going through the process costs a lot of money so you might want to think about progressing before you loose it.
 
You nare so right....but you know every year people find out on entering the country that their GC is taken away. Sometimes you read about it on forums. the other day some one asked a question about her dad who had a GC and thought he could enter when he wanted and live mostly outside the USA...Now he lost his GC:)....

I only put the :)...since he was hardly in the USA, didn't pay taxes and hardly spent a dime over here...so why get the benefits while other people are waiting for a GC visa # to become available to get the GC. The more GC are taking from people who actually don't use it the faster the people can get it who really will use it and contribute to the country and this economy which the GC is meant for:)
 
Why did you take part in the lottery,anyway?Was this the only way for you to come to the US,because you couldn't afford to pay the student fees as an international student,not enough money to pay for an investment visa,couldn't find a company which was willing to file a working permit for you due to the lack of proper education?I bet the only thing,you can afford is a vacation in the US.:cool:
 
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