Question about travelling

[Hey 0]

We got her travel visa two months ago, and it said that she might not be able to come back into America if she left. What exactly does that mean? Is it just incase they find drugs or something or do they just randomly choose to let you come back in or not? thanks

[TBoneTX 45,319]

Is it just incase they find drugs or something

This is a devil of a thing to ask, and it raises the hypothetical question of what is she planning, exactly?

[Hey 0]

Lol nothing, we are planning to visit family. But I wanted to make sure the 2 months and a half or so outside of America would it effect anything. I heard if you stay out for 6 months or more it would make it to start all over again for citizenship because you have to live here for 5 years. Is it okay to leave for this period of time though? and after citizenship she could leave for longer periods? yes? thanks

[TBoneTX 45,319]

(It would help people answer, if you had a VJ timeline.) If by "travel visa" you mean the I-512L (Advance Parole document), she is eligible to be let back into the U.S. upon presenting that paper at the POE. If the paper is checked off for "multiple entries," so much the better. If she has ever overstayed a previous visa in the U.S., do not leave the country with just the I-512L!

I believe that if you have the Advance Parole document, her green card is not far behind. It's best to wait for that. Others here can better answer whether an absence of 6 months or 12 months is the official duration that requires advance authorization (I know that 12 months does) if you want to avoid "abandoning" current status.

I took my wife to Mexico for a day with first use of the I-512L. It took CBP 35 or 40 minutes to process her back into the U.S. -- partially comical, partially irritating -- and little did we know that her green card was IN THE MAIL to her at that moment. We both had to undergo some questions during that re-entry, with unpleasant flickers of our trauma with the consulate. Conversely, she just returned from 7 weeks in Ecuador and was let right in by virtue of the green card. The difference likely is that the Advance Parole is merely a piece of paper, and manual look-ups have to be done, whereas everything is coded in high-tech fashion on the green card, and it can all be read upon one swipe.

If you want a solid & quick answer about your 2.5-month planned absence, forget calling USCIS and instead call a Customs & Border Protection (CBP) port -- go to http://www.cbp.gov and click "Ports of Entry" or similar. Call any main port number (land port or airport) and ask your question. If the port's information page says "24 hours," you can even call at this time of night. Let us know what they tell you, si man.

[Hey 0]

"If you are a lawful permanent resident “green card holder,” you may leave the U.S. multiple times and re-enter, as long as you do not intend to stay outside the U.S. for 1 year or more.

If you intend to stay outside the U.S. for 1 year or more, you must apply for a re-entry permit with the USCIS prior to leaving the U.S. Re-entry permits are generally valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. Therefore, if you are outside of the U.S. longer than the date the permit was issued, you may be denied entry into the U.S."

I got that from the website. My wife has her Residence card. I am going to buy the tickets

Thanks if anyone else has any input please put it in. Also I will have to put a timeline soon. Just not much time to do it.

[TBoneTX 45,319]

Cool -- have fun, si man!