greencard

[leydem 0]

Im a 10 year greencard holder but I have returned to Ireland to live with no plans to return to US to live . I would however like to go back on holidays next year but Im wondering will I have problems going through immigration ??? should I return my greencard ?

[Almost done 0]

You can't have problems with immigration and your don't have to submit the green card, its yours to keep.

[Hypnos 6,576]

A green card is for those people who wish to work and live inside the United States. If you are not living in the United States and have no intention of returning then you are not entitled to having or keeping a green card.

In saying that, a green card holder can (of course) travel overseas. Trips up to and including six months are typically not an issue; for 6-12 month trips I have read you should bring proof that your domicile is still in the USA (such as maintaining a US bank account, US residence, etc.); and trips of over 1 year but under 2 years require you have a re-entry permit (obtained by filing an I-131 before you leave) to attempt to seek entry back into the country.

Since you no longer live in the US you are not entitled to a green card. Depending on how long you have been outside the country it may already have become abandoned (and so invalid for entry back in the US).

You can file an I-107 with the nearest American Embassy (probably Dublin for you) to legally abandon your green card. This is probably the safest option and the one least likely to bite you in the #### down the line.

Edited June 26, 2012 by Hypnos

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

You can't have problems with immigration and your don't have to submit the green card, its yours to keep.

This is incorrect. Please read Hypnos response as it is correct. Permanent residents can't remain abroad for more than a year without abandoning their residency unless they apply for a reentry permit before leaving. They can't remain abroad for more than two years, even with a reentry permit, without abandoning their residency. The green card is the property of the United States government. It doesn't belong to the permanent resident.