Possible to maintain green card while living abroad?

M

micwingard

New Member
My wife, a Philippine citizen, is in the process of obtaining an IR visa through me (a dual citizen of the US and Philippines). My wife's business and our home, along with our dual US/Philippine citizen daughter, remain in the Philippines and we aren't sure about permenantly settling in the US (especially given the dire economic situation here now). I am living and working in the US territory of the Northern Marianas Islands (near Guam) and we can easily afford for my wife to fly back and forth between Manila and Guam every few months, staying in Guam for a few days at a time, but she will likely spend most of her time living and working in the Philippines.

Once she gets her green card, will she be able to keep it if she spends most of her time abroad while making frequent visits to the US? If not, is it possible to convert her green card to a multiple entry visa?

Thanks for your reply.
 
micwingard said:
Once she gets her green card, will she be able to keep it if she spends most of her time abroad while making frequent visits to the US?
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Not for very long. After maybe a couple years they'll suspect she's really living primarily outside the US, she'll get some intense questioning or a warning, and if her frequent/extended absences continue she'll be sent to an immigration judge to defend her green card.

If not, is it possible to convert her green card to a multiple entry visa?
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If she officially surrenders her green card at a US consulate with form I-407, she should be able to easily get a tourist visa. She can interview for the visa in the same visit when surrendering the green card.
 
Hi micwingard,
One year after she gets her green card if she intends to travel outside US for a period of year or more she could use the Form I-131 for reentry and also use Form N-470 to preserve residence for naturalization purposes.
 
Nancy Mervin said:
Hi micwingard,
One year after she gets her green card if she intends to travel outside US for a period of year or more she could use the Form I-131 for reentry and also use Form N-470 to preserve residence for naturalization purposes.
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Then re-entry permit will only preserve the greencard for two years. It may easily be renewed once more then after that it is doubtful of renewal, but if ot is it would only be for one year. If that period of time will not be enough for her to relocate to the U.S., why bother getting a greencard at all? Withdraw any immigrant visa application pr if not withdraw the I-130. She should only try for the B visa and make it clear that immigration is not desired at this time.

An N-470 is NOT applicable to her situation.
 
Dear all,
I got another question.
I am in the 4th year of my green card and I plan on applying for my citizenship next year.
Due to the nature of my work, I probably will be relocated to Guam next year.
Does staying Guam same has staying in the US?
Can I apply for my citizenship in Guam?
 
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