What to do with a green card I no longer need?

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Shub,

my point condensed: you can get the 10-yr. card if you and your wife file jointly, and you are present to do the biometrics. It's unlikely you will have an interview.

After you get the 10 year GC in January 2010, if I remember correctly, you file for an reentry permit. That gives you until January of 2011 as a permanent resident, legally. Do you really know with absolute certainty, now, in 2009, that you and the Misses are still happily living together in Switzerland?

If your crystal ball is blurry right now, at least you give yourself another year of wiggle room. Is it worth the $545 plus a flight to the US? Only you can decide that.

[Shub 78]

Now I see what you're saying. I hadn't thought of it that way. I will have to think about it then.

Thank you.

[esoll 0]

If I leave the US before my green card expires with no intention to maintain my PR status, what do I do with the green card (as in, the physical card itself) ?

Must I inform USCIS? Must I return the card, or simply destroy it maybe?

It just seems to me like a bad idea to up and leave and not tell anybody. I realize they'll know that I left anyway, but if/when I come back to reapply for permanent residence somewhere down the line, I don't want any trouble then.

For the record, I'm married to a US citizen but we're moving to my country and my 2-year green card will expire this January.

Not sure if the law has changed but many years ago I finished my green card application in Switzerland. Find out if you could file for the permanent green card from CH. This is what I did. Granted it was a long time ago but you should find out.

Good luck.

We are also thinking on going back to CH in a few years but probably after the two years.

ESoll

[v333k 59]

I agree with TracyTN - at least try to get your 10 year GC then you keep traveling back and forth (you have to bite the bullet for this one) - if you are 100% certain you will never come back to the US, then do what you have in mind.

[w8inglongtime 29]

If I leave the US before my green card expires with no intention to maintain my PR status, what do I do with the green card (as in, the physical card itself) ?

Must I inform USCIS? Must I return the card, or simply destroy it maybe?

It just seems to me like a bad idea to up and leave and not tell anybody. I realize they'll know that I left anyway, but if/when I come back to reapply for permanent residence somewhere down the line, I don't want any trouble then.

For the record, I'm married to a US citizen but we're moving to my country and my 2-year green card will expire this January.

Do you have a job already lined up in your home country for both of you? If not, why don't you hang in there for another year and apply for citizenship so you don't have to deal with USCIS ever again. Especially since you think you may want to come back to the states in the future. You only have a year left and I'm sure you don't really want to deal with USCIS all over again in the near future when you decide to come back.

[freetv 7]

I agree with bob, however if you do decide to give up your green card this is a proper way to go about it. You need to use your green card to leave the country and once your home in switz you simply go to the embassy and talk with an officer for one or two mins and hand it in. You can also simply destory it and not go to the embassy. But no matter what you should wait until you have left the country to get rid of it.

[esoll 0]

I agree with bob, however if you do decide to give up your green card this is a proper way to go about it. You need to use your green card to leave the country and once your home in switz you simply go to the embassy and talk with an officer for one or two mins and hand it in. You can also simply destory it and not go to the embassy. But no matter what you should wait until you have left the country to get rid of it.

Is it a fact now that you can't pursue a GC outside the US? This is the way I got mine via the US Embassy in CH, way back.

ESoll

[freetv 7]

I agree with bob, however if you do decide to give up your green card this is a proper way to go about it. You need to use your green card to leave the country and once your home in switz you simply go to the embassy and talk with an officer for one or two mins and hand it in. You can also simply destory it and not go to the embassy. But no matter what you should wait until you have left the country to get rid of it.

Is it a fact now that you can't pursue a GC outside the US? This is the way I got mine via the US Embassy in CH, way back.

ESoll

As of today the only way to get a greencard "overseas" so to speak (you would receive it after getting to the u.s.) would be the cr1 or ir1 (or dcf which is the cr1 visa, only put on the fast track). Because they have been married so long they could do dcf which would result in an ir1 visa in a matter of weeks. But the main concern here is that it would delay citz by three years. Most people simply want to get to the citz part so they can get rid of all the immigration trouble. If that really isn't a concern just forget it and start over via dcf when your ready.

Edited December 3, 2009 by freetv

[rebeccajo 14]

Switzerland is a lovely country!

[candelari 0]

Switzerland is a lovely country!

I believe in order to apply for a citizenship you have to be in the U.S at least 36 months ( total)during your eligibility period. I agree with others if you like to file for I-751 and get a 10 year GC. It is also possible to file for I-485 all over again with your wife if you ever decide to come back..

as far as Switzerland, jobs are videly available compare to U.S..... Would you consider divorcing your wife and taking me with you????? (I am just kidding,....)

Good luck!!!