Traveling out of the U.S. Prior to Receiving Green Card

[criandjen 0]

My husband had his interview yesterday at the Naples consulate and received his I551 visa. He was told that his green card will be mailed to the address provided in the U.S. (my dad's) within 6 weeks of port of entry into the U.S. The problem is this: we are currently living in Italy since we knew this process would take awhile and his job was more secure than mine. We are returning to the U.S. in July to visit family for 3 weeks and then return to Italy so he can work again.

The question is: will my husband be able to leave the U.S. prior to receiving his green card? If possible, please also supply a link where we can read more about this topic or a phone number to call for more information.

Thank you!!

[YuAndDan 153]

The answer is YES

A person entering the USA on an IMMIGRANT visa gets an I-551 stamp in passport, this makes passport a temporary green-card, allowing travel and work prior to getting the actual card in the mail.

A note about green-card:

Maintaining Permanent Residence You may lose your permanent residence status if you commit an act that makes you removable from the United States under the law in section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If you commit such an act, you may be brought before the immigration courts to determine your right to remain a Permanent Resident.

You may be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status if you:

• Move to another country intending to live there permanently.
• Remain outside of the US for more than one year without obtaining a reentry permit or returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.
• Remain outside of the US for more than two years after issuance of a reentry permit without obtaining a returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.
• Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the US for any period.
• Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your tax returns.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

A green-card is NOT a "Permanent Visa" it is for living and working in the USA, it is not for working abroad.