How long are you allowed to stay outside the US?

G

gsas

Registered Users (C)
Folks, please advise.
You get an I94 arrival/departure record card when you enter the US as a non-resident. When you leave, the flight crew takes it when boarding. However, if you are a GC holder, you don't need this I94. If you are outside the US for more than a year with your GC, your GC becomes invalid, unless you got "reentry permit".

Question: how does INS/BCIS/USCIS know whether you were away for a year or for a week only, without the I94 card?
I appreciate your suggestions.
Thanks.
gsas
 
From your own words.. If you claim to have been outside of the USA for less than 6 months then the burden of proof is on the CIS.. If you were absent for more than half a year then YOU have to prove that you haven't abandoned your permanent residency in the States.

Immigration officials have access to passenger manifestos and other flight records.. Plus, entry/exit stamps in one's passport (not necessarily from the USA) show a pretty accurate picture of one's itinerary..

Needless to say that giving false information to US immigration officials may result in deportation and entry ban.
 
When you travel to any country outside USA, they will put an entry stamp in passport, right? Is it not enough for an official to find when you left USA last time? Does I-94 needed in this case?
 
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