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Mehur4e

How long I can stay out of USA without loosing my green card

By Mehur4e in Working & Traveling During US Immigration

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Mehur4e Contributor

Mehur4e   4

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Bulgaria
 Timeline
Posted

I don't know if I am posting on the right spot, but I would appreciate your responses!

I got my 2-years green card in oct.2013 via AOS from J1, and I need to go back home this year to finish my school. My question is how long I can stay out of USA? I have heard it can be only 6 months, because if u stay less than 6 months in 12-month period in USA u loose your green card. Then I heard that it is possible to stay longer out of USA but there is something u need to do and I don't know what. My school is estimate 9 months, and I want to know is it possible for me to stay in my country for 9 months and if yes what I need to do.

AOS based on a marriage with US citizen:

06/06/2012 - last entry in USA on J1 visa;

05/06/2013 - got married;

07/18/2013 - sent the package (I-130, I-485, I-765);

07/23/2013 - USCIS received the package;

07/29/2013 - received notifications for acceptance via e-mails and text messages;

08/02/2013 - received notifications for acceptance via mail;

08/08/2013 - received biometrics letter (appointment for 08/14) via mail, without any e-mail or text message notifications;

08/14/2013 - done with biometrics;

08/22/2013 - I-485 online status updated to "Testing and Interview";

08/28/2013 - I-485 online status says " On August 28, 2013, we mailed you an appointment notice for an interview for October 4, 2013...";

08/30/2013 - received notification for an Interview on October 04 2013, 8:30 am via mail;

09/23/2013 - I-765 online status updated to "Card/Document Production";

09/28/2013 - received EAD card;

10/04/2013 - interview day - approved on spot!

10/17/2013 - received my green card via mail

Mehur4e Contributor

Mehur4e   4

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Bulgaria
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

I don't know if I am posting on the right spot, but I would appreciate your responses!

I got my 2-years green card in oct.2013 via AOS from J1, and I need to go back home this year to finish my school. My question is how long I can stay out of USA? I have heard it can be only 6 months, because if u stay less than 6 months in 12-month period in USA u loose your green card. Then I heard that it is possible to stay longer out of USA but there is something u need to do and I don't know what. My school is estimate 9 months, and I want to know is it possible for me to stay in my country for 9 months and if yes what I need to do.

AOS based on a marriage with US citizen:

06/06/2012 - last entry in USA on J1 visa;

05/06/2013 - got married;

07/18/2013 - sent the package (I-130, I-485, I-765);

07/23/2013 - USCIS received the package;

07/29/2013 - received notifications for acceptance via e-mails and text messages;

08/02/2013 - received notifications for acceptance via mail;

08/08/2013 - received biometrics letter (appointment for 08/14) via mail, without any e-mail or text message notifications;

08/14/2013 - done with biometrics;

08/22/2013 - I-485 online status updated to "Testing and Interview";

08/28/2013 - I-485 online status says " On August 28, 2013, we mailed you an appointment notice for an interview for October 4, 2013...";

08/30/2013 - received notification for an Interview on October 04 2013, 8:30 am via mail;

09/23/2013 - I-765 online status updated to "Card/Document Production";

09/28/2013 - received EAD card;

10/04/2013 - interview day - approved on spot!

10/17/2013 - received my green card via mail

Hypnos Grand Master

Hypnos   6,578

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

You can read USCIS' information about this here: http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/international-travel-permanent-resident

In general terms, you can usually spend up to six months overseas without issue. Trips between six and twelve months may require you to demonstrate to CBP on your return that you have not abandoned your residency (you have maintained a US bank account, residence, filed federal taxes, etc.) and trips of over a year but less than two require you to have obtained a re-entry permit first (by filing an I-131), and you may also be required to show CBP the same proof as for between six and twelve month trips.

Widow/er AoS Guide | Have AoS questions? Read (some) answers here

 

AoS

Day 0 (4/23/12) Petitions mailed (I-360, I-485, I-765)
2 (4/25/12) Petitions delivered to Chicago Lockbox
11 (5/3/12) Received 3 paper NOAs
13 (5/5/12) Received biometrics appointment for 5/23
15 (5/7/12) Did an unpleasant walk-in biometrics in Fort Worth, TX
45 (6/7/12) Received email & text notification of an interview on 7/10
67 (6/29/12) EAD production ordered
77 (7/9/12) Received EAD
78 (7/10/12) Interview
100 (8/1/12) I-485 transferred to Vermont Service Centre
143 (9/13/12) Contacted DHS Ombudsman
268 (1/16/13) I-360, I-485 consolidated and transferred to Dallas
299 (2/16/13) Received second interview letter for 3/8
319 (3/8/13) Approved at interview
345 (4/3/13) I-360, I-485 formally approved; green card production ordered
353 (4/11/13) Received green card

 

Naturalisation

Day 0 (1/3/18) N-400 filed online

Day 6 (1/9/18) Walk-in biometrics in Fort Worth, TX

Day 341 (12/10/18) Interview was scheduled for 1/14/19

Day 376 (1/14/19) Interview

Day 385 (1/23/19) Denied

Day 400 (2/7/19) Denial revoked; N-400 approved; oath ceremony set for 2/14/19

Day 407 (2/14/19) Oath ceremony in Dallas, TX

Mehur4e Contributor

Mehur4e   4

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Bulgaria
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

So I need to have for example bank account statements, valid drivers license from USA, and letters that came on my USA address, in order to proove that I still have tights with usa. But where and when I need to show them? Before my trip (to send them somewhere in order to receive an approve) or when I am coming back at the airport in USA?

AOS based on a marriage with US citizen:

06/06/2012 - last entry in USA on J1 visa;

05/06/2013 - got married;

07/18/2013 - sent the package (I-130, I-485, I-765);

07/23/2013 - USCIS received the package;

07/29/2013 - received notifications for acceptance via e-mails and text messages;

08/02/2013 - received notifications for acceptance via mail;

08/08/2013 - received biometrics letter (appointment for 08/14) via mail, without any e-mail or text message notifications;

08/14/2013 - done with biometrics;

08/22/2013 - I-485 online status updated to "Testing and Interview";

08/28/2013 - I-485 online status says " On August 28, 2013, we mailed you an appointment notice for an interview for October 4, 2013...";

08/30/2013 - received notification for an Interview on October 04 2013, 8:30 am via mail;

09/23/2013 - I-765 online status updated to "Card/Document Production";

09/28/2013 - received EAD card;

10/04/2013 - interview day - approved on spot!

10/17/2013 - received my green card via mail

Dave&Roza Experienced

Dave&Roza   748

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Kazakhstan
 Timeline
Posted

I don't know if I am posting on the right spot, but I would appreciate your responses!

I got my 2-years green card in oct.2013 via AOS from J1, and I need to go back home this year to finish my school. My question is how long I can stay out of USA? I have heard it can be only 6 months, because if u stay less than 6 months in 12-month period in USA u loose your green card. Then I heard that it is possible to stay longer out of USA but there is something u need to do and I don't know what. My school is estimate 9 months, and I want to know is it possible for me to stay in my country for 9 months and if yes what I need to do.

This is one of those it depends. Check out the USCIS website for international travel for a GC holder here. Typically a single trip of less than 6 months causes no concern. Trips between 6 months and 1 year CAN be scrutinized, but if it is a one time event not usually a problem. Several short trips that add up to more time outside the US then inside the US will cause issues eventually. If you want to remain outside the US for more than 1 year, you need to apply for a re-entry permit before you leave and maintain a residence within the US and pay US taxes. Any trip for more than 2 years and your GC is considered abandoned. As long as you maintain your residence in the US, like any college student you are living temporally at the college address you should have no problems for a period of 9 months. I would show that you are a college student, but your residence is in the US.

Good luck,

Dave

Hypnos Grand Master

Hypnos   6,578

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

You may need to show them to CBP when you return.

Widow/er AoS Guide | Have AoS questions? Read (some) answers here

 

AoS

Day 0 (4/23/12) Petitions mailed (I-360, I-485, I-765)
2 (4/25/12) Petitions delivered to Chicago Lockbox
11 (5/3/12) Received 3 paper NOAs
13 (5/5/12) Received biometrics appointment for 5/23
15 (5/7/12) Did an unpleasant walk-in biometrics in Fort Worth, TX
45 (6/7/12) Received email & text notification of an interview on 7/10
67 (6/29/12) EAD production ordered
77 (7/9/12) Received EAD
78 (7/10/12) Interview
100 (8/1/12) I-485 transferred to Vermont Service Centre
143 (9/13/12) Contacted DHS Ombudsman
268 (1/16/13) I-360, I-485 consolidated and transferred to Dallas
299 (2/16/13) Received second interview letter for 3/8
319 (3/8/13) Approved at interview
345 (4/3/13) I-360, I-485 formally approved; green card production ordered
353 (4/11/13) Received green card

 

Naturalisation

Day 0 (1/3/18) N-400 filed online

Day 6 (1/9/18) Walk-in biometrics in Fort Worth, TX

Day 341 (12/10/18) Interview was scheduled for 1/14/19

Day 376 (1/14/19) Interview

Day 385 (1/23/19) Denied

Day 400 (2/7/19) Denial revoked; N-400 approved; oath ceremony set for 2/14/19

Day 407 (2/14/19) Oath ceremony in Dallas, TX

 
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