Prolonged absence in the US after getting greencard

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remar

Registered Users (C)
I need to go on prolonged absence in the US after getting our green card because my son is going to
study abroad. He's only 15 so I need to be with him during the time. What do I need to do so we don't
lose our Permance Resident status?
 
I suppose you mean absence outside the US, not in the US?

How long is "prolonged"? During this absence, will you maintain a house or apartment in the US? Will your spouse or other minor children remain in the US? Does your 15 y.o. son have a green card? Do you plan to work outside the US? Do you plan to apply for citizenship in the next 5 years or less?
 
Jackolantern said:
I suppose you mean absence outside the US, not in the US?

How long is "prolonged"? During this absence, will you maintain a house or apartment in the US? Will your spouse or other minor children remain in the US? Does your 15 y.o. son have a green card? Do you plan to work outside the US? Do you plan to apply for citizenship in the next 5 years or less?
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The course he's taking is 4 yrs but we're planning to come back every 2 yrs. We will maintain a house here since my
husband will stay here. My son has a green card. I will not work outside the US. And yes, I'm planning to applhy
for citizenship after 5 years.
 
If you stay out of the US for about 4 years, there is no way you can apply for citizenship in 5. But, when you come to the US (or if you're already here), apply for a Permit to Re-enter (form I-131) which, when issued, will allow you to stay out for upto 2 years of the validity of the Permit. When that is close to expiring, you will have to come back to the US and apply for another one, and hope they will issue it for another 2 years, but they could also issue it for 1.
 
remar said:
The course he's taking is 4 yrs but we're planning to come back every 2 yrs.
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High school, or university? Is wherever he's going really so special that it is worth jeopardizing your (and his) green card or citizenship? Has he ever been to school in the US, or is this just for the purpose of continuing at his existing school abroad?

We will maintain a house here since my husband will stay here.
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Good. If you were not doing that, your green card would be very much at risk over a 4-year period, even with reentry permits.

I will not work outside the US. And yes, I'm planning to applhy
for citizenship after 5 years.
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To qualify for citizenship, you'll have to spend a minimum of 2.5 years total in the US, of the last 5 years before applying. In addition, no absences of 12 consecutive months or more, and preferably none of 6 months or more.
 
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He's continuing at his existing school. I also have a daughter there who just turned 21, whom we have already petitioned
for immigration. We're hoping that the petition gets approved within or shortly after 4 years. Btw, would you have an idea
how long a petition like that takes?
 
How did you obtain your green cards -- employment, family, or otherwise? And when? How long ago did she turn 21? Depending on your answers, it may be possible for your daughter to get a green card quickly via follow-to-join.

Did you file a new I-130 for her, or are you pursuing follow-to-join?
 
I obtained my green card thru my husband's employment just a month ago. My daughter turned 21 last year before my husband's labor certification came out. Btw, my husband told me we haven't filed the petition yet. Would you know the procedure?
 
remar said:
I obtained my green card thru my husband's employment just a month ago. My daughter turned 21 last year before my husband's labor certification came out. Btw, my husband told me we haven't filed the petition yet. Would you know the procedure?
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If she turned 21 prior to the LC being approved I doubt CSPA would cover her.
 
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