I have a 10yr Green Card but my employer wants me to work abroad

[Alastair 0]

I am on my second Green Card (the 10 year one) and was about to apply for Citizenship, but my employer (Ford Motor Company) has asked me to work abroad for 2 years. I'm taking my family with me (all US Citizens - I got my Green Card through Marriage to my Wife, a US Citizen).

My question is will living outside of the US for 2 years affect my Green Card status and will it affect my ability to apply for US Citizenship when I return to the US.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that one of the conditions of keeping my Green Card is that I must remain in the US for a certain period of time. Does anyone know what the regulations are. I've looked all over the USCIS website but can't find this information and their phone line is useless.

Will I be jeopardizing my Green Card and my potential US Citizenship (or the time scale by which I can apply for Citizenship) by taking this position to work abroad?

Many Thanks

Alastair

[milimelo 4,561]

I am on my second Green Card (the 10 year one) and was about to apply for Citizenship, but my employer (Ford Motor Company) has asked me to work abroad for 2 years. I'm taking my family with me (all US Citizens - I got my Green Card through Marriage to my Wife, a US Citizen).

My question is will living outside of the US for 2 years affect my Green Card status and will it affect my ability to apply for US Citizenship when I return to the US.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that one of the conditions of keeping my Green Card is that I must remain in the US for a certain period of time. Does anyone know what the regulations are. I've looked all over the USCIS website but can't find this information and their phone line is useless.

Will I be jeopardizing my Green Card and my potential US Citizenship (or the time scale by which I can apply for Citizenship) by taking this position to work abroad?

Many Thanks

Alastair

It's 18 months out of 36 to be spent in the US when you apply with 3-year rule. If you haven't been outside the country previously for long periods of time, apply for the citizenship now and then fly in for biometrics and interview/oath. Currently it takes around 3-4 months start to finish and if you travel soon after oath you can get passport in couple of hours at one of the Passport Agencies.

Check out M-476 naturalization guide.

[jlogajan 0]

Being out for two years can reset your requirement for continuous residence, so you'd have to start all over again. If that is necessary anyhow it is important to get a re-entry permit (before you leave) which is usually good up to about two years. You are still reset but at least you can re-enter.

Edited July 14, 2010 by jlogajan