Filing a case in the Philippines, need to come back within the same year

[plum74 1]

Hi, I'm a Filipina married to an American and I have been a permanent resident of the US for about 8 years. Me and my husband went on vacation to the Philippines last February 28, 2014 only to discover that my brother who is a special needs person, has been robbed and abused by the caretaker. I filed a case last March but with the speed of the courts here it looks like I will need to come back within the same year (about 5 months from now) to testify. Since I'm the complainant, the fiscal says I have to testify myself and I can't assign that to anybody else here in the Philippines. My question is, from what I know as a green card holder I can't stay out of the country for more than 5 months (is that correct) but are you allowed to go out of the US to the same country more than once within the same year?

- Plum

[carton025 38]

You have been a LPR for 8 yrs. do you not have a US passport? You should have, at least, a 10-yr. GC. Even if you do not there should not be a problem/issue with you "vacationing" outside the US as long as your "vacation" does not exceed 1 yr and/or you have a return "thing," I for get what it is called. Perhaps someone else will enlighter you better than I have.

Best of luck!

[plum74 1]

But don't you only get a US passport if you are already a US citizen? My permanent resident card says it's valid from 2005 to 2017.

[carton025 38]

You were able to apply for a US passport after being married to a USC after 3 yrs...

[kitthekat 1,317]

You were able to apply for a US passport after being married to a USC after 3 yrs...

She is able to apply for US citizenship after 3 years and as a citizen, able to apply for a US passport. No US citizenship, no US passport.

OP - Generally a one-time stay abroad of under 6 months in one calendar year will not cause too much trouble when returning to the US at POE. There are no restrictions on visiting the same country twice in the same year.

[Leatherneck 693]

Three (3) years as a Permanent Resident, married to and living with a U.S. citizen spouse makes one eligible for Naturalization -- then the U.S. passport is within reach.

[plum74 1]

She is able to apply for US citizenship after 3 years and as a citizen, able to apply for a US passport. No US citizenship, no US passport.

OP - Generally a one-time stay abroad of under 6 months in one calendar year will not cause too much trouble when returning to the US at POE. There are no restrictions on visiting the same country twice in the same year.

Ahhh that clears that up for me. Thanks. I always thought you needed to be a citizen to get a US passport. I just haven't been able to apply for citizenship because I was too busy with work.

- Plum