On 2 year conditional green card, through marriage. Got a job outside the US. Any implication?

[yongyong 0]

Hello everyone,

I am currently on a 2-year green card (my wife is US citizen), which will be expired on June 30th, 2011. I recently got a job in Beijing, and thinking about moving there in March. I am very confused of what I should do, as my green card is going to expire. But I would like to get a new long term green card (10 years, correct me if wrong), so I could still move back to New York and work later. My wife is also planning to move back with me to Beijing in March. Here is what I am planning to do:

1. I will come back to the states every 5 months;

2. Change my mailing address to my in-laws;

3. Try to keep my phone subscription (on verizon)

However, I am getting very confused about this moving back to Beijing, and what's the implication for my green card?

Thanks a lot and looking forward to hearing your suggestions.

[Nimaan 27]

You will be required to remove conditions on your greencard around April 01, 2011 (90 days window)..So how do you plan do to file the paperwork and get your fingerprints done if you leave in March?

[YuAndDan 153]

Green-card is for RESIDING in the USA, it is NOT a permanent "visa". They (DHS and POE) do catch on to that game and can and do revoke the green-card is they feel that it is not being used to live in the USA. An overseas job is an indication that you are not residing in the USA as a permanent resident.

Abandoning Permanent Resident Status

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 United States for more than 1 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 United States may be considered, even if less than 1 year
• Remain outside of the United States for more than 2 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 United States may be considered, even if less than 1 year
• Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the United States for any period
• Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your tax returns

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3f443a4107083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=3f443a4107083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

[Inky 1,111]

If you lose your green card because of messing around trying to look like you are living in the USA its going to be MUCH harder to get another one, if you get one at all.

Residing in the US is more than having a phone bill, you need to have an address and utility bills, a bank account etc.

[yongyong 0]

Thanks for the reply.

Any previous cases on how people in the similar situation still managed to get a "10 year greencard"? I just feel it is really inconvenient to apply for re-entry permit or visa when every year I need to come back to see my in-laws. It seems so hard.

And I also heard I need to re-apply my green card again once I am back to New York in the future. It is just pain in the butt to do it.

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

The only 'easy' way is to wait until you have your GC for 3 years (this is incl the 2 year conditional) while being married, and then file for citizenship.. when you're a citizen, you can stay out of the country for several years without having to worry to be able to come back...

Edited January 19, 2011 by JeroenAndMichelle