Maintaining Greencard (Moving abroad temporarily)

C

Cabbar Duzayak

New Member
Hi,

We (me + my wife) have received our GC about 14 months ago and I have been working at the same company during this time. We will need to move out of the country for about 2 years for family reasons. I would like the get citizenship in 5 years, but it can be delayed further, which is OK for us...

As far as I know, as long as we re-enter the country every 180 days, we should be fine, i.e. we will maintain my GC and not loose it, but just wanted to verify here.

I would appreciate it if you can answer the following questions:

1. Will we get to keep my GC as long as we enter the country every 180 days? Is there any risk involved here?
2. When we come over, how long do we need to stay? Is it OK to stay for a few days and leave the country again? Is there a minimum stay limit?

Thanks a ton.
 
The GC is for permanent residents. Being able to keep your GC by setting foot on US soil every 180 days is a myth. If you abandon your residency here for two years, you will lose your GC. You can try to apply for a re-entry permit. Once granted, it proves your intent to return to the US. If you leave the US for more than a year, its still up to CBP to decide whether to admit you or not. You probably want to consult with an attorney about the details
 
If you abandon your residency here for two years, you will lose your GC.
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While this true, it is also true that if you ABANDON your residency, even for one day, and have not filed for re-entry, your GC can be removed.

Remember, 'abandonning' means selling up and leaving US, not merely leaving behind your active US home and having another somewhere else.
 
Cabbar Duzayak said:
We (me + my wife) have received our GC about 14 months ago and I have been working at the same company during this time. We will need to move out of the country for about 2 years for family reasons. I would like the get citizenship in 5 years, but it can be delayed further, which is OK for us...
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With an absence of 2 years, while not working for the US government or a US corporation, it is unlikely you will be approved for citizenship when you return, even if you came back once every 180 days. You will have to wait 4 years and a day after you return, to become eligible for citizenship again.

However, you can keep your green card valid for those 2 years if you get an approved re-entry permit.
 
Work for US company overseas while on GC

I have been living in US for the past 3 years after I got my GC. Now I plan to work for a US company overseas for say 2 years. Could I still move back to US and apply for Citizenship after that?
 
citizen2b2b said:
I have been living in US for the past 3 years after I got my GC. Now I plan to work for a US company overseas for say 2 years. Could I still move back to US and apply for Citizenship after that?
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Assuming your permanent residency has not been abandoned, then 4 years and a month after you return.
 
citizen2b2b said:
I have been living in US for the past 3 years after I got my GC. Now I plan to work for a US company overseas for say 2 years. Could I still move back to US and apply for Citizenship after that?
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Yes, if you have an approved N-470. Otherwise you would have to wait four years an a day after coming back.
 
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