Filing from abroad

[Italian_in_NYC 259]

How is she supposed to be able to do that if she surrenders the GC?

German citizens don't need any visa to enter the US for up to 90 days.

[rika60607 215]

Even if so (although not everyone on VWP will actually be allowed to enter US if they are married to US citizen),

not everybody is on VWP.

What people from other countries are supposed to do?

How is she supposed to be able to do that if she surrenders the GC?

German citizens don't need any visa to enter the US for up to 90 days.

[Italian_in_NYC 259]

Even if so (although not everyone on VWP will actually be allowed to enter US if they are married to US citizen),

not everybody is on VWP.

What people from other countries are supposed to do?

How is she supposed to be able to do that if she surrenders the GC?

German citizens don't need any visa to enter the US for up to 90 days.

Get a B1/B2 visa, if it's just for visiting purposes.

If there's intent to move back, spouses of US citizens are fully eligible for green cards.

A green card is for permanent residents. Residents are people who actually reside in the country.

[TayRivers 4]

No no no no no!

don't listen to these people!

I have spent 7 months in France and came back to US on conditional GC. You will only be in trouble if you are absent from the US for more than 1 year without re-entry permit. You should not be in trouble at the POE (although you are subject to inspection if coming back after 6-11 months of absence), and if you are worried - just travel together with your US spouse, that will be better.

It is true that you must maintain residence in the US. You need to be able to show intention of coming back. So spending a few weeks in the US on vacation is a good idea. Also a good idea to keep US bank accounts open and used, and property in the US, if you can. If you can rent a cheap apartment, do it, if not, ask friends or family to use their address as your mailing address.

Do apply for the 2 year permit to depart from the US. There is a requirement on it that you stay in the US until it's granted, so you want to look up the rules on this.

Don't give up your card! Getting it back is pain!

What you are suggesting is a blatant abuse of the greencard system. No wonder it is harder for real residents of the US to prove that they are in a legit marriage and live together IN THE USA when people like you are telling other that it is OK to lie about your real plans.

How can it be OK to move to another country to live and work for 3 years and still be a resident of the USA. Popping back once or twice a year does not make you a resident of the US and does not maintain your LPR status. Using a friend or relatives address as a way of show you have maintained a residence is just wrong. If you dont want to live in the US then either wait until you are a citizen and then leave or leave and be honest about what you are doing and then file for the correct visa to enable you to return when the time comes.

[rika60607 215]

These guys have a legit marriage and live together.

The only part in question, is where they live.

if you are gone from the US to stay with your family for 3 months, where do you live?

if you are gone for 2 years to a third country (of which you are not citizen) to be a student, where do you live?

If you accepted a job abroad and think that it will be for 3 years, but not sure and think that you will go back to the US when job is over, where do you live? (BTW these days even jobs in Europe are not 100% secure).

It is possible and acceptable to be a dual resident.

People like you could try to read carefully and see that I never suggested to lie. In fact, lying to government is always a very bad idea.

There is no point in flooding the system with unnecessary applications. It is struggling as is.

If POE officer decides that you do not qualify to keep you GC due to long absences, they will take it away from you (but still let you into US if you are from VWP country). No consequences to GC being pulled.

What you are suggesting is a blatant abuse of the greencard system. No wonder it is harder for real residents of the US to prove that they are in a legit marriage and live together IN THE USA when people like you are telling other that it is OK to lie about your real plans.

How can it be OK to move to another country to live and work for 3 years and still be a resident of the USA. Popping back once or twice a year does not make you a resident of the US and does not maintain your LPR status. Using a friend or relatives address as a way of show you have maintained a residence is just wrong. If you dont want to live in the US then either wait until you are a citizen and then leave or leave and be honest about what you are doing and then file for the correct visa to enable you to return when the time comes.