Staying outside the US for job

[Mo & Mo 0]

I am a US citizen and my husband has a green card. Our children are US citizens. We both recently got good jobs outside of the US and he is finding it difficult to come back in order to meet the residency requirements.

What will happen if he is outside the US for too long?

What will happen at immigration when we enter?

What would happen if we forfeited the green card? Is it possible?

Will it be a problem when we do come back to stay or even to visit family?

Surely there is someone out there who has gone through this...?

Any help will be appreciated!

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

0What will happen if he is outside the US for too long? - his greencard will be taken away as he is no longer a resident. This can happen even if you come back after less than 6 months, as he clearly resides abroad with a job and wife abroad.

What will happen at immigration when we enter? - They will ask him to prove he still resides in the USA (lease to home, bills etc)

What would happen if we forfeited the green card? Is it possible? - Yes, and the best option if you will reside abroad for more than a year. He can give the card back at the local US embassy. If you ever decide to move back to the USA, you will go through the IR-1 spousal visa process to get a greencard upon entry again.

Will it be a problem when we do come back to stay or even to visit family? - He will need to give his greencard back (see above), and apply for a tourist visa. With a US wife also abroad, and having had a greencard, he has a very good chance of getting a tourist visa.

[gnasa 3]

Or you could look into obtaining a re-entry permit(s)....

[SF2007 48]

If it's temporary, look into obtaining a re entry permit before you leave the U.S.