Permanent resident card, lasting another 8 years, want to visit my home country

[ine 1]

Hello everyone.

I really need your help. I know I might find the answer I'm looking for if I do a search but there's too much going on and I want to make sure that I get the right info. I got married back in 2009, and moved to America 2 years ago, I got a green card lasting another 8 years. I just finalized the divorce papers, because it didn't work out. Now I am pregnant and I would love to move back to Norway for a bit so my mother can meet the baby once it arrives. So what happens when I move? What happens with my papers my visa and my status? If I move back let's say for a year, can I still move back to America and continue with my life and use the same green card ssn and etc? I would think it's not a problem since it would all still be valid, but I really need your input on this. Since I'm from Norway the rules might be different than with other countries. I don't know. I just found out I'm pregnant and I'm sort of freaking out. I appreciate all the help!!!

[JohnR! 5,495]

The rules are the same, because they are not dependent on your home country.

If you are planning to move back to Norway for more than one year but less than two years, and have plans to return to the US to reestablish residence, you need to file a re-entry permit, so that you will not lose your greencard. Tecnically you lose your residence if you spend more than one year abroad.

Here is a link to the USCIS form I-131

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b11747a55773d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Congrats for the baby!

Edited September 24, 2013 by Gegel

[ine 1]

Thank you so much. So if I move back for 11 months, I basically don't have to file any papers? How often can I do this? Is there a rule how often I can move back and forth while I have a Green Card?

[JohnR! 5,495]

Thank you so much. So if I move back for 11 months, I basically don't have to file any papers? How often can I do this? Is there a rule how often I can move back and forth while I have a Green Card?

Yes, if you return before one year you should be ok. There are no rules as to how many times you can do this but chances are you will be interviewed with more detail upon return if you establish a pattern of spending more time outside, than inside the US.

[Boiler 45,516]

Will you be keeping house/car/job etc whilst you are visiting Norway?

[ine 1]

I have no car, no apt. Staying at a friend's house. Worst case I'll put my things in storage while I'm in Norway. So the only place I have to report the move to is the usps? Uscis as well right?

[Boiler 45,516]

Sounds like it is no biggie if you do not retain PR status, you can presumably always use the VWP to visit.

[NickD 202]

Only thing I am going to add to this subject is if your baby is born here, would be automatically a US citizen, if not, here goes all that immigration stuff all over again. Would think about the problems in bringing that baby back here, home country passport, visa, if required, then the USCIS. And in your case, that I-864 may be a major problem.

Surprising the number of women that came here and had a couple of kids, their sponsoring husband and children are US citizens, they are the only ones that are not. We don't write the laws on this subject. Just something to consider.

Oh, and your baby being born here would be a definite aid in obtaining your US citizenship.

[Boiler 45,516]

Oh, and your baby being born here would be a definite aid in obtaining your US citizenship.

How?

[ine 1]

Sounds like it is no biggie if you do not retain PR status, you can presumably always use the VWP to visit.

Pr? Vwp?

Sounds like it is no biggie if you do not retain PR status, you can presumably always use the VWP to visit.

Pr? Vwp?

[NickD 202]

Pr? Vwp?

Pr? Vwp?

Permanent Resident, had problems at first understanding what a green card is, in particular since they are not green. Strict rules to follow with a so called green card for residency requirements.

Visa Waver Program, a Department of State abbreviation.

They won't even deport an undocumented mom with USA born kids, but sure have deported a bunch of dad's. OP would have to wait five years from the initial date of her green card for US citizenship, then they see she is a mom of a US citizen baby, that helps. After that, she will be free to travel and stay as long as she wants.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

OP: If you want to leave the US for less than a year it is fine. If you want 2 years you can get a reentry permit. Beyond that, though, you will not be able to keep your GC.

If you move away and give up your GC then you could come visit as a normal tourist, but there is no way you can have permanent permission to live in either country unless you are a citizen of both countries. You could stay in the US and pursue citizenship.

A GC is for living in the US, so if you try to really live somewhere else and then come back to the US every once in a while the US will eventually get wise and take your GC away. Your comment "how often can I leave for 11 months" makes it seem like you don't want to live in the US.

You don't need an "anchor baby" because you have permission to live in the US so comments to that effect are strange.

Edited September 25, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[ine 1]

Anchor baby? I don't understand. I'm pregnant with an American and I want to live in Norway for a while and then move back. What is so strange about that? Please leave your rude comments somewhere else, I'm just trying to get some help from this forum. Thanks.

Edited September 25, 2013 by ine

[JohnR! 5,495]

Anchor baby? I don't understand. I'm pregnant with an American and I want to live in Norway for a while and then move back. What is so strange about that? Please leave your rude comments somewhere else, I'm just trying to get some help from this forum. Thanks.

The previous posted was pointing out the suggestion someone else did that you should use your baby as an 'anchor' to secure your citizenship. I don't believe the implication was that you were partial to such persuasion.

[ine 1]

The thing is I cannot have dual citizenship, and I don't want to give up my own. I just wish I could be in Norway so that my child grows up with my Norwegian family and then later on move back to America-- two years would be great. But sounds like a hassle. So the re-entry, is that difficult, and do you have a link to somewhere I can read about it?