Study abroad….. longe stay abroad....

[siola]

Hi everybody,
I have the green card since Sep. 05 and I would like to go to Europe for 11 month to study, starting in Sep. 06. I will keep my US address (at my brothers place where I live now) , a registered car, a drivers license, a bank account, a investment account and I will file the US tax. Since I will be back in USA before the 12 month are over ( as you can see I do intend to come back). Do I need to take any special steps to ensure trouble free return?

Second question is what shall I do about the change of address?? Do I keep my US address or should I report my address abroad once I have one??
Thank you very much for your help. Siola

 

[Catseyes]

Hi Siola,
I am somewhat in the same situation :
_ DV winner, LPR since June 05
_ husband has an assignment ( job ) in Belgium : it is supposed to be for less than a year though ( something like 10 months ).
_ we will maintain everything we have inthe US ( cars, bank accounts...)

In theory, we would not need a reentry permit has it is supposed to be for less than a year.
However, the rules aren't clear for stays abroad 6m<<12m. There is a gray area.

Following advice from the forum, and from a lawyer my husband's company pays for, we will apply for a reentry permit.
We were lucky enough to get a GC, we won't jeopardize it : we will make evrything to possible to protect it.

The problem with not applying for a I131 is that it might be risky for your GC.
You can never be 100% sure that you will be back within a year : your plane can be delayed, a family member can be sick and you would stay longer !
( That's true that you could still come regularly to the US )

Also, if you apply for one, you clearly show to an immigration officer that you protected your GC.
Even if you won't use it.