LIVING OUTSIDE US AFTER GREEN CARD????

[danver 15]

hey, I was wondering if anyone knows any links or has info on what the policy is about living outside the US after recieving the green card. We're planning on returning home and staying for a while. Thanks for all the help!!

Hello Rodgie,

Just want to know if your'e a Pinay. I am a legal resident here (Green Card Holder) and i went home sa philippines and stayed there for 5 months (May- October 2008) and i did not need any travel document or re entry permit or advance parole or whatever you may call it to get back to US. All i have to bring with me is my green card that serves as my re entry and tnever encountered any problems getting back to USA.

As long as you don't stay in the Philippines for more than a year then you should be fine..

[Zee Bee 61]

hey, I was wondering if anyone knows any links or has info on what the policy is about living outside the US after recieving the green card. We're planning on returning home and staying for a while. Thanks for all the help!!

Hello Rodgie,

Just want to know if your'e a Pinay. I am a legal resident here (Green Card Holder) and i went home sa philippines and stayed there for 5 months (May- October 2008) and i did not need any travel document or re entry permit or advance parole or whatever you may call it to get back to US. All i have to bring with me is my green card that serves as my re entry and tnever encountered any problems getting back to USA.

As long as you don't stay in the Philippines for more than a year then you should be fine..

Did you read the thread?

(1) her husband is from Zambia (clue...the flag) (2) she said they wanted to leave for more than a year.

[danver 15]

hey, I was wondering if anyone knows any links or has info on what the policy is about living outside the US after recieving the green card. We're planning on returning home and staying for a while. Thanks for all the help!!

Hello Rodgiegirl,

Hi,, just wondering if you are a Pinay too. I am a green card holder and just came back from my 5 months stay in the Phillipines. I stayed there from May - October 2008 and did not need any re entry permit, advance parole or whatever you may call it.All i have to bring with my was my green card that serves as my re entry permit and never encountered any problem with the immigrationg etting back here in the US.

As long as you are a Philippine passport holder you can stay there as long as you want but DO NOt exceed more than a year and you should be fine. You can add me if you wanna ask me about this. bigpureheart8303@yahoo.com. Would be glad to help.

[Rodgiegirl 0]

I'm not trying to play Russian Roulette, I just don't know what the policy is????? My husband and I are planning on staying outside the US, so I don't know what the best route is????? I'm just tyring to get info because I don't know how to go about doing this. Because at the time we applied for AOS we didn't know that we'd be returning to Zambia. So don't judge me or my plans, I just need to know the best route. So maybe you can let me know what is best for our situation, thanks.

The best route is that if you are not going to live in the USA, then do not bother with the greencard, because residency must be maintained and if you are not living here it is difficult to do.

Okay thanks for your help. So it looks like our best option is to voluntarily abandon permanent residency status, intead of lifting condtions. Then when we want to travel back for a visit we would just need a visitor visa. I think this is the best.............any more idea's?

hey, I was wondering if anyone knows any links or has info on what the policy is about living outside the US after recieving the green card. We're planning on returning home and staying for a while. Thanks for all the help!!

Hello Rodgie,

Just want to know if your'e a Pinay. I am a legal resident here (Green Card Holder) and i went home sa philippines and stayed there for 5 months (May- October 2008) and i did not need any travel document or re entry permit or advance parole or whatever you may call it to get back to US. All i have to bring with me is my green card that serves as my re entry and tnever encountered any problems getting back to USA.

As long as you don't stay in the Philippines for more than a year then you should be fine..

Did you read the thread?

(1) her husband is from Zambia (clue...the flag) (2) she said they wanted to leave for more than a year.

Can you give me the thread, I don't see what you're seeing............Thanks!

[pushbrk 13,166]

I'm not trying to play Russian Roulette, I just don't know what the policy is????? My husband and I are planning on staying outside the US, so I don't know what the best route is????? I'm just tyring to get info because I don't know how to go about doing this. Because at the time we applied for AOS we didn't know that we'd be returning to Zambia. So don't judge me or my plans, I just need to know the best route. So maybe you can let me know what is best for our situation, thanks.

The best route is that if you are not going to live in the USA, then do not bother with the greencard, because residency must be maintained and if you are not living here it is difficult to do.

Okay thanks for your help. So it looks like our best option is to voluntarily abandon permanent residency status, intead of lifting condtions. Then when we want to travel back for a visit we would just need a visitor visa. I think this is the best.............any more idea's?

From my read, your spouse has only applied for but not yet been granted LPR status. It would seem the best course of action is to abandon the AOS process and never receive LPR status to begin with. When you are ready to reside in the USA, embark on the appropriate visa process then. Probably, you'll want to do a DCF (Direct Consular Filing) resulting in an IR1 visa. Your spouse would then enter the USA entitled to a ten year green card. At that point all the same requirements for maintaining LPR status will continue to apply. Application for citizenship can be made three years after LPR status is granted, provided "residence" has been continuous. Once a Citizen, residence outside the US will have no such consequence.

[Rodgiegirl 0]

I'm not trying to play Russian Roulette, I just don't know what the policy is????? My husband and I are planning on staying outside the US, so I don't know what the best route is????? I'm just tyring to get info because I don't know how to go about doing this. Because at the time we applied for AOS we didn't know that we'd be returning to Zambia. So don't judge me or my plans, I just need to know the best route. So maybe you can let me know what is best for our situation, thanks.

The best route is that if you are not going to live in the USA, then do not bother with the greencard, because residency must be maintained and if you are not living here it is difficult to do.

Okay thanks for your help. So it looks like our best option is to voluntarily abandon permanent residency status, intead of lifting condtions. Then when we want to travel back for a visit we would just need a visitor visa. I think this is the best.............any more idea's?

From my read, your spouse has only applied for but not yet been granted LPR status. It would seem the best course of action is to abandon the AOS process and never receive LPR status to begin with. When you are ready to reside in the USA, embark on the appropriate visa process then. Probably, you'll want to do a DCF (Direct Consular Filing) resulting in an IR1 visa. Your spouse would then enter the USA entitled to a ten year green card. At that point all the same requirements for maintaining LPR status will continue to apply. Application for citizenship can be made three years after LPR status is granted, provided "residence" has been continuous. Once a Citizen, residence outside the US will have no such consequence.

Thanks so much for the info, we have a baby due in January. So we do plan on staying for a while before going back to Zambia. So you can tell me what you think, but I'm thinking that if we continue with the AOS (considering we've haven't been married two years yet, we'll only get a two year conditional card) and then when it comes time for us to go back or lift conditions (which ever comes sooner) then that's when we should abandon. Am I understanding this right??? Because if we abandon now, then he will have to leave the country now right??? And he won't be able to work right?? If that's the case then we need to wait to abandon until we're ready to leave.

Sorry for my ignorance, I'm just trying to make sense of this all. Can you let me know if I'm understanding this correctly?? Thanks!

[LuckyDucky 0]

Hello Rodgie,

Just want to know if your'e a Pinay. I am a legal resident here (Green Card Holder) and i went home sa philippines and stayed there for 5 months (May- October 2008) and i did not need any travel document or re entry permit or advance parole or whatever you may call it to get back to US. All i have to bring with me is my green card that serves as my re entry and tnever encountered any problems getting back to USA.

As long as you don't stay in the Philippines for more than a year then you should be fine..

Did you read the thread?

(1) her husband is from Zambia (clue...the flag) (2) she said they wanted to leave for more than a year.

Can you give me the thread, I don't see what you're seeing............Thanks!

Zee Bee is referring to this thread.

gigracer, while trying to be helpful, asked (1) if you or your husband is from the Philippines and stated that (2) they were able to travel out of country for 5 months with no problem.

However, in your (Rodgiegirl's) initial post, you mentioned being out of the country for much longer, which is where the problem exists. (In other words, travel for 6 months or less won't be a problem, but over 1 year will cause problems with maintaining permanent residency.) Your account also lists your significant other from Zambia, which means it's reasonable to conclude that you and your husband aren't from the Philippines.

Edited November 12, 2008 by LuckyDucky

[pushbrk 13,166]

I'm not trying to play Russian Roulette, I just don't know what the policy is????? My husband and I are planning on staying outside the US, so I don't know what the best route is????? I'm just tyring to get info because I don't know how to go about doing this. Because at the time we applied for AOS we didn't know that we'd be returning to Zambia. So don't judge me or my plans, I just need to know the best route. So maybe you can let me know what is best for our situation, thanks.

The best route is that if you are not going to live in the USA, then do not bother with the greencard, because residency must be maintained and if you are not living here it is difficult to do.

Okay thanks for your help. So it looks like our best option is to voluntarily abandon permanent residency status, intead of lifting condtions. Then when we want to travel back for a visit we would just need a visitor visa. I think this is the best.............any more idea's?

From my read, your spouse has only applied for but not yet been granted LPR status. It would seem the best course of action is to abandon the AOS process and never receive LPR status to begin with. When you are ready to reside in the USA, embark on the appropriate visa process then. Probably, you'll want to do a DCF (Direct Consular Filing) resulting in an IR1 visa. Your spouse would then enter the USA entitled to a ten year green card. At that point all the same requirements for maintaining LPR status will continue to apply. Application for citizenship can be made three years after LPR status is granted, provided "residence" has been continuous. Once a Citizen, residence outside the US will have no such consequence.

Thanks so much for the info, we have a baby due in January. So we do plan on staying for a while before going back to Zambia. So you can tell me what you think, but I'm thinking that if we continue with the AOS (considering we've haven't been married two years yet, we'll only get a two year conditional card) and then when it comes time for us to go back or lift conditions (which ever comes sooner) then that's when we should abandon. Am I understanding this right??? Because if we abandon now, then he will have to leave the country now right??? And he won't be able to work right?? If that's the case then we need to wait to abandon until we're ready to leave.

Sorry for my ignorance, I'm just trying to make sense of this all. Can you let me know if I'm understanding this correctly?? Thanks!

Yes, under those circumstances, I'd go ahead and adjust status then deal with whatever comes next based on the conditions at the time.

[Rodgiegirl 0]

Hello Rodgie,

Just want to know if your'e a Pinay. I am a legal resident here (Green Card Holder) and i went home sa philippines and stayed there for 5 months (May- October 2008) and i did not need any travel document or re entry permit or advance parole or whatever you may call it to get back to US. All i have to bring with me is my green card that serves as my re entry and tnever encountered any problems getting back to USA.

As long as you don't stay in the Philippines for more than a year then you should be fine..

Did you read the thread?

(1) her husband is from Zambia (clue...the flag) (2) she said they wanted to leave for more than a year.

Can you give me the thread, I don't see what you're seeing............Thanks!

Zee Bee is referring to this thread.

gigracer, while trying to be helpful, asked (1) if you or your husband is from the Philippines and stated that (2) they were able to travel out of country for 5 months with no problem.

However, in your (Rodgiegirl's) initial post, you mentioned being out of the country for much longer, which is where the problem exists. (In other words, travel for 6 months or less won't be a problem, but over 1 year will cause problems with maintaining permanent residency.) Your account also lists your significant other from Zambia, which means it's reasonable to conclude that you and your husband aren't from the Philippines.

OHHH! LOL I see! WOw, I have a lot on my mind!!LOL

[Rodgiegirl 0]

I'm not trying to play Russian Roulette, I just don't know what the policy is????? My husband and I are planning on staying outside the US, so I don't know what the best route is????? I'm just tyring to get info because I don't know how to go about doing this. Because at the time we applied for AOS we didn't know that we'd be returning to Zambia. So don't judge me or my plans, I just need to know the best route. So maybe you can let me know what is best for our situation, thanks.

The best route is that if you are not going to live in the USA, then do not bother with the greencard, because residency must be maintained and if you are not living here it is difficult to do.

Okay thanks for your help. So it looks like our best option is to voluntarily abandon permanent residency status, intead of lifting condtions. Then when we want to travel back for a visit we would just need a visitor visa. I think this is the best.............any more idea's?

From my read, your spouse has only applied for but not yet been granted LPR status. It would seem the best course of action is to abandon the AOS process and never receive LPR status to begin with. When you are ready to reside in the USA, embark on the appropriate visa process then. Probably, you'll want to do a DCF (Direct Consular Filing) resulting in an IR1 visa. Your spouse would then enter the USA entitled to a ten year green card. At that point all the same requirements for maintaining LPR status will continue to apply. Application for citizenship can be made three years after LPR status is granted, provided "residence" has been continuous. Once a Citizen, residence outside the US will have no such consequence.

Thanks so much for the info, we have a baby due in January. So we do plan on staying for a while before going back to Zambia. So you can tell me what you think, but I'm thinking that if we continue with the AOS (considering we've haven't been married two years yet, we'll only get a two year conditional card) and then when it comes time for us to go back or lift conditions (which ever comes sooner) then that's when we should abandon. Am I understanding this right??? Because if we abandon now, then he will have to leave the country now right??? And he won't be able to work right?? If that's the case then we need to wait to abandon until we're ready to leave.

Sorry for my ignorance, I'm just trying to make sense of this all. Can you let me know if I'm understanding this correctly?? Thanks!

Yes, under those circumstances, I'd go ahead and adjust status then deal with whatever comes next based on the conditions at the time.

OKAY, thanks so much! We really want to do the right, we're not trying to scam or anything. It's so hard to understand all this immigration stuff. So do you know if we file I407 while abroad?? It makes sense to do that, but not really sure. Thanks again

[LuckyDucky 0]

Hello Rodgie,

Just want to know if your'e a Pinay. I am a legal resident here (Green Card Holder) and i went home sa philippines and stayed there for 5 months (May- October 2008) and i did not need any travel document or re entry permit or advance parole or whatever you may call it to get back to US. All i have to bring with me is my green card that serves as my re entry and tnever encountered any problems getting back to USA.

As long as you don't stay in the Philippines for more than a year then you should be fine..

Did you read the thread?

(1) her husband is from Zambia (clue...the flag) (2) she said they wanted to leave for more than a year.

Can you give me the thread, I don't see what you're seeing............Thanks!

Zee Bee is referring to this thread.

gigracer, while trying to be helpful, asked (1) if you or your husband is from the Philippines and stated that (2) they were able to travel out of country for 5 months with no problem.

However, in your (Rodgiegirl's) initial post, you mentioned being out of the country for much longer, which is where the problem exists. (In other words, travel for 6 months or less won't be a problem, but over 1 year will cause problems with maintaining permanent residency.) Your account also lists your significant other from Zambia, which means it's reasonable to conclude that you and your husband aren't from the Philippines.

OHHH! LOL I see! WOw, I have a lot on my mind!!LOL

No worries. I can totally understand. I can't help with any of the other questions, but the other folks on here are knowledgable. Since I did have insight as to what Zee Bee was referring to, I thought I could chip in a little.

Best of luck!

[Rodgiegirl 0]

Hello Rodgie,

Just want to know if your'e a Pinay. I am a legal resident here (Green Card Holder) and i went home sa philippines and stayed there for 5 months (May- October 2008) and i did not need any travel document or re entry permit or advance parole or whatever you may call it to get back to US. All i have to bring with me is my green card that serves as my re entry and tnever encountered any problems getting back to USA.

As long as you don't stay in the Philippines for more than a year then you should be fine..

Did you read the thread?

(1) her husband is from Zambia (clue...the flag) (2) she said they wanted to leave for more than a year.

Can you give me the thread, I don't see what you're seeing............Thanks!

Zee Bee is referring to this thread.

gigracer, while trying to be helpful, asked (1) if you or your husband is from the Philippines and stated that (2) they were able to travel out of country for 5 months with no problem.

However, in your (Rodgiegirl's) initial post, you mentioned being out of the country for much longer, which is where the problem exists. (In other words, travel for 6 months or less won't be a problem, but over 1 year will cause problems with maintaining permanent residency.) Your account also lists your significant other from Zambia, which means it's reasonable to conclude that you and your husband aren't from the Philippines.

OHHH! LOL I see! WOw, I have a lot on my mind!!LOL

No worries. I can totally understand. I can't help with any of the other questions, but the other folks on here are knowledgable. Since I did have insight as to what Zee Bee was referring to, I thought I could chip in a little.

Best of luck!

Thanks!