Opinions Please: GC holder studying abroad

[shend 0]

Hello!!

I need your opinions.

I am now back in the US after being away for almost 5 months (studying), I need to return in a few weeks for another 5 months again. I will be in the US with my husband for almost 3 weeks before I return. When I went through LAX, the IO was quite nice but suggested that it may be "safe" for me to get a re-entry permit since I cant guarantee to get a nice IO next time I come back. FYI when I return after 5 months, I will be with my US Citizen husband - he will be accompanying me and we will be returning the US at the same time, same flight. My husband thinks it will be okay since it will still be less than 1 year but what should I do? Should I apply for the reentry? The IO wrote on the stamp on my passport "Out for 5 months"

I am a bit confused. Can they deny my entry to US? I mean I still maintain my residency by filling taxes with my husband, have a bank - credit/debit cards. I have a letter from the Board of Pharmacy requiring me to study for 1 year that's why I'm studying abroad.

Thanks in advance!!!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

A reentry permit has the value of used toilet paper until you have been away for a year.

You might as well use the money the reentry permit costs and use it instead of toilet paper, then flush it down. Seriously.

[SimranS 9]

Hello!!

I need your opinions.

I am now back in the US after being away for almost 5 months (studying), I need to return in a few weeks for another 5 months again. I will be in the US with my husband for almost 3 weeks before I return. When I went through LAX, the IO was quite nice but suggested that it may be "safe" for me to get a re-entry permit since I cant guarantee to get a nice IO next time I come back. FYI when I return after 5 months, I will be with my US Citizen husband - he will be accompanying me and we will be returning the US at the same time, same flight. My husband thinks it will be okay since it will still be less than 1 year but what should I do? Should I apply for the reentry? The IO wrote on the stamp on my passport "Out for 5 months"

I am a bit confused. Can they deny my entry to US? I mean I still maintain my residency by filling taxes with my husband, have a bank - credit/debit cards. I have a letter from the Board of Pharmacy requiring me to study for 1 year that's why I'm studying abroad.

Thanks in advance!!!

Please talk to VJ member "SPSGuy". He's in almost the same position as you and he just received his reentry permit which he was planning to use for reentry after LESS than 1 year.

Normally for reentry less than 6 months a reentry permit is not necessary, and the reentry permit is only REQUIRED after the 1 year mark. What else did the IO say to you? In your case the permit is probably a waste of time because you have evidence of maintaining your US residency, and your study abroad is temporary. Just bring whatever evidence with you when you reenter.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

They can deny you entry, though it is very unlikely that they will. The denial would be based on abandoning residency, and you have plenty of ties to the USA, plus haven't been out longer than 6 months in one go and less than a year overall. If this is a once off (ie you are not going to do this every year), I would normally say you'll have no problems at all, though it is a bit strange that the border officer wrote in your passport.