waiting for green card after ROC accepted!

[getcr1 0]

Hi all,

After my Removal of Conditions application was reviewed twice, my application has been approved. I see that I have to wait for my new Permanent Resident card, form I-551 and a form I 797D. Does this mean that I will need to fill out MORE forms and hand them into the government? Also, did it really take 60 days? How long did it take to get your Green Card? I filed in Vermont.

Also, my husband and I plan on doing a trip around the world for a year. We will not be working and will be traveling around Asia and South America for a period of 11.5 months or so. I saw online that you cannot leave for more than 1 year, or else your green card will be revoked. I also saw some people say 6months. Which is it? Also, I saw you could apply for a re-entry visa - anyone have any idea how much that is?

Oh - so much paperwork to be had!

Any help greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

[Beth and John 7]

it is helpful for everyone to know how long it took for your process at each stage

If your removal of conditions has been approved, you will get an approval letter (which I'm assuming you have already received?) and shortly thereafter your new 10-year green card. If you haven't received your new card within 30 days from approval, you should call USCIS and let them know.

No new forms need to be filled out once you are approved until and if you wish to file for Naturalization OR your 10-year green card is going to expire.

[Christi85 86]

Also, my husband and I plan on doing a trip around the world for a year. We will not be working and will be traveling around Asia and South America for a period of 11.5 months or so. I saw online that you cannot leave for more than 1 year, or else your green card will be revoked. I also saw some people say 6months. Which is it? Also, I saw you could apply for a re-entry visa - anyone have any idea how much that is?

Oh - so much paperwork to be had!

Any help greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

In order to maintain your Permanent Resident status, you cannot be outside of the United States for over a year continuously at any given time. If you have to stay outside the country for over a year, you usually need to apply for a Re-entry permit. Information here: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b11747a55773d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

In order to be eligible to apply for citizenship, you cannot be outside the country for over 6 months continuously for every year that you wish to have counted towards your citizenship eligibility (3 years if filing citizenship on the basis of marriage to a USC, which sounds like your case). Since you are going to be outside the country for over 6 months, that means that you reset the clock, so to speak, for your citizenship eligibility. Meaning, you will need to demonstrate 3 continuous years of permanent residence in the US(at least 6 months for each year, that is) AFTER you are back from your trip, since this coming year will be out for you in terms of citizenship eligibility. You do not have to apply for citizenship, in fact some people never do, but if this was part of your plans for the near future, note that with such a long trip abroad you will not be eligible again for citizenship until 2017 (assuming you leave on your trip in 2013 and return in 2014, when the clock will start counting again).

With all the above said, it sounds like you are more concerned about keeping your Permanent Residence status, as you didn't mention applying for citizenship anywhere. Theoretically you should be fine coming back after 11.5 months without the need of a Re-entry permit, however since you will be marginally at the 12-month mark, be prepared to be asked a lot of questions upon re-entry, because they are not going to like that you were away for that long and they may suspect that you returned at 11.5 months to avoid losing your Permanent Resident status and think that you might leave again soon (i.e. that you are not really a Permanent Resident).

This is entirely up to you, but here's what I would do if I was you:

Either: a) cut my trip much shorter, to 3-6 months if possible, or b)defer the trip until next year, if at all possible, especially since your 3-year eligibility for citizenship must be coming up soon (when did you first enter the US as a Permanent Resident?). So I would wait, apply for citizenship (process takes 3-6 months) and once I got citizenship, I would then leave for my long trip, since citizens do not have any restrictions on how long they can stay outside the country.

[getcr1 0]

all interesting points. I am not currently looking into citizenship at the moment. I do intend on living in america after our trip though so this is definitely a concern. I wouldn't want to be waiting at the border and not be allowed back into the country!Thanks for the input!