Moving abroad while holding a GC

[camifree 2]

My husband and I just got a terrific job offer (we do the same job so the offer is for both) in Europe for 2007 fall. They tell us the minimum contract time is 2 years. I got my GC in September '06. We have no idea what could happen or if there is a way around it. We are surely going to ask a lawyer, but until that moment we would like to have some ideas from here.

Thanks in advance!

[YuAndDan 153]

Two issues, when it comes to time to lift condiditions both need to return to lift the conditions.

And

Maintaining Permanent Residence

Maintaining Permanent Residence You may lose your permanent residence status if you commit an act that makes you removable from the United States under the law in section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If you commit such an act, you may be brought before the immigration courts to determine your right to remain a Permanent Resident.

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 US for more than one 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 US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.
  
• Remain outside of the US for more than two 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 US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.
  
• Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the US for any period.
  
• Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your tax returns.
  

http://149.101.23.2/graphics/howdoi/PermRes.htm#maintain Edited November 27, 2006 by YuAndDan

[camifree 2]

Thank you

[YuAndDan 153]

A Reentry permit is needed if traveling out of the country for periods longer than 1 year.

I-131 (Same form as used for AP)

I-131

Edited November 27, 2006 by YuAndDan

[aussiewench 9]

Some added info on maintaining resident status

Keep Your Immigration Status

Permanent residents who leave the United States for

extended periods, or who cannot show their intent to

live permanently in the U.S., may lose their permanent

resident status. If you think you will be out of the U.S.

for more than 12 months, you should apply for a re-entry

permit before leaving the country. You should file Form

I-131, Application for a Travel Document. A re-entry

permit is valid for up to 2 years and shows that you are

returning from a temporary visit abroad.You may show

the re-entry permit at a port of entry.

You can get this form at http://www.uscis.gov or by calling

the USCIS Forms Line.You must pay a fee to file Form I-131.

If you are not able to return to the U.S. before your re-entry

permit expires or you did not apply for a re-entry permit

before leaving the U.S. and have been outside the U.S. for

more than 12 months, you may be able to get a special immigrant

Returning Resident (SB-1) visa overseas from the

Department of State.There are special requirements for this

visa.Visit http://www.state.gov or your nearest Department

of State Consular Office overseas for more information.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-618.pdf