Living in Germany - filing DCF?

[MargotDarko 0]

Markus, I have a smiliar situation . I got my immigrant visa in November this year. 3 weeks later we went to USA for Thnaksgiving. After 8 days we come back to Germany, because my husband has a contracting job here. I need a green card to get a job on base. It will be mailed to our address in USA (my mothers-in-law address).

All I know is that i have to be phisically present in USA ever 364 days or I loose my permanent resident status. But travel for a week or so may not be enough. I'm thinking about getting a lawyer to ask what to do.

It is very difficult, basically impossible, to hang on to your green card when not living in the US. Technically, you can be out of the US for up to a year without special permission, but any absence of six months or more is closely examined upon return and it can be determined that you've abandoned US residence even with less than a year's absence. Also, each absence of six months or more resets the "clock" on the three years residence you need to apply for US citizenship. I would certainly not risk more than about five months out of the US and only for a reason, such as selling a house, finishing a degree, finishing a job contract, etc.