Need to travel to India for long term (medical)

C

concoran

New Member
Hello All,
I've had a green card for a little over 3 years now (Oct 2007).
I had a mishap earlier in February 2011, subsequenty ended up in ICU for 2 weeks. After the discharge, I've been asked by doctor to return to home country (India) and continue my recovery there. Towardss that end, I've vacated my apartment, sold the car and have returned to India.
I suspect my recovery may take more than 6 months - during which time I will NOT have a permanent address in US - though my bank accounts / credit card accounts will remain open.
My question is
Is a medical reason enough to allow me to stay out of US for more than 6 months at a stretch?
If it is, what documents should I need to be allowed back into US?
Is any immigration work required for me to inform USCIS regarding my intent to return?

Any help is very much appreciated.
Thanks.
 
concoran said:
Hello All,
I've had a green card for a little over 3 years now (Oct 2007).
I had a mishap earlier in February 2011, subsequenty ended up in ICU for 2 weeks. After the discharge, I've been asked by doctor to return to home country (India) and continue my recovery there. Towardss that end, I've vacated my apartment, sold the car and have returned to India.
I suspect my recovery may take more than 6 months - during which time I will NOT have a permanent address in US - though my bank accounts / credit card accounts will remain open.
My question is
Is a medical reason enough to allow me to stay out of US for more than 6 months at a stretch?
If it is, what documents should I need to be allowed back into US?
Is any immigration work required for me to inform USCIS regarding my intent to return?

Any help is very much appreciated.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

if your returning within 6 months, it shouldnt be an issue to enter the country and it will not breake ur continuous residency period for naturalization. If its between 6 months and 1 year, u still can enter usa with no hassle , but it miight break ur continuous residence criteria for naturalization. for more than 12 months, its always better to get a re-entry permit ( it shall allow u to be away for almost 2 years).
 
If you stay outside the US for more than a year, you should get a reentry permit; normally the green card is invalidated if you stay outside the US for over a year with the permit. But you have to be in the US to apply for the permit, and to give fingerprints in conjunction with the application (fingerprinting is about 3-5 weeks after you submit the application).

If your recovery doesn't allow you to return to the US within a year, your other option is to apply for a Returning Resident Visa (SB-1) at the consulate. But that is a last resort; if denied your green card is dead.
 
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