re-entry for in-laws

[Uhab2]

Hi,
My in-laws got their GC about 2 years back and they have been in US for that duration. Now, they are planning to go back to India for a visit. Can they stay for a longer duration than 6 months and if they can, should they apply for a re-entry permit? How long does it take to apply for the permit? Will it in any way affect their chance at citizenship?
thanks in advance

 

[jllag1]

Hi,
My in-laws got their GC about 2 years back and they have been in US for that duration. Now, they are planning to go back to India for a visit. Can they stay for a longer duration than 6 months and if they can, should they apply for a re-entry permit? How long does it take to apply for the permit? Will it in any way affect their chance at citizenship?
thanks in advance

Yes, they can stay longer than 6 months. They should apply for RP if they forsee a stay beyond 1 year, because after 1 year of continous stay outside of US, GC cannot be used for entry (either RP or SB-1 is the option). Yes, a stay beyond 6 months might break continous residency for citizenship purposes, unless N-470 is approved (and a few other exceptions). RP has nothing to do with continous residency requirements.