living abrod on green card

[brandoncwalker 0]

I am currently waiting on my advance parole and green card for an adjusted status from a K1 visa, but once I have one or the other I would like to go back to the Philippines to finish school. Will I be able to spend most of my time there with only two or three short visits back to the US or will I need to stay here? Do I need the green card to do that or will the advance parole work?

Thank you

[Transborderwife 4,666]

A green card is for maintaining residence in the usa. Your plan is not a good idea.

[ChicagoSarah 127]

A green card is for maintaining residence in the usa. Your plan is not a good idea.

This.

You should look into a re-entry permit. It (if approved) allows you to remain out of the US for up to a year I believe.

But the green card typically means you will spend more time in the US than outside of it. Also, legal presence in the US is what counts when you go to naturalize in a few years.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

You can get a Re-Entry Permit which will allow you to stay outside the U.S. for up to 2 years as long as you maintain ties to the U.S.

You have to have a green card. You can not leave on AP and expect to get a green card without coming back.

You will need to remove conditions on your green card in 2 years. How are you planning on doing this if you live in the PI for the next 2 to 3 years?

You should not have chosen this route if you plan to stay in the PI for the next 2-3 years.

[brandoncwalker 0]

I appreciate everyone's input, I do not understand why everyone keeps telling me I should not have chosen this route and how I plan on doing it....... that's why Im here is to ask what routes there are. I would "like" to spend the time in the PI, what are my options? Can it be done? and if so how should I do it? Basically I am seeing that I can get my green card, spend some time in Pi and some time in US???? Or should I apply for a re-entry visa instead of waiting on the green card?

[Dave&Roza 748]

I appreciate everyone's input, I do not understand why everyone keeps telling me I should not have chosen this route and how I plan on doing it....... that's why Im here is to ask what routes there are. I would "like" to spend the time in the PI, what are my options? Can it be done? and if so how should I do it? Basically I am seeing that I can get my green card, spend some time in Pi and some time in US???? Or should I apply for a re-entry visa instead of waiting on the green card?

First, you need to get the GC. Second, you need to look at this like any college student that is living in one city, but going to school in another. Third, you cannot accept tuition rates that are given to a PI resident--to do so will cause you to loose your GC. Fourth, you must look at the next phase of the immigration process which is removal of conditions (ROC). Fifth, this long period of being outside the US will affect when you can become a USC if that is important to you.

So you go back to the PI and go to school while your husband remains in the US. You come home to the US during breaks with proof of your schooling for the CBP. You and your husband need to have stronger evidence for a bona fide relationship than most given you will be living apart--it can look like you married him for the GC and be able to return to the US after you graduate. It will not be easy, but it can be done. The main thing is you must appear to be only going to school in the PI and living there and visiting the US. So you really need to return to the US when not in school.

Dave

[brandoncwalker 0]

^{good info, now my husband works as a military contractor. He will be living with me in the PI when he is not working, its a 4 month on off schedule so we will spend time together there and in the states.... this sounds like a difficult process. Yes becoming a citizen is important to me but I can wait longer if need be. the biggest worry we have is being able to come and go to the states. thank you for your information so what other option do I have, what if we changed our plans and moved to the pi for say three years, during that time can I visit the states? what would the process be to move back to the states full time? Is that even possible?}

Edited August 29, 2015 by brandoncwalker

[Amadia 711]

I think you can search the forums and find a solution, along with the advice given on here.

My only concern is that there are so many people out there right now (me included) who are waiting patiently to gain entry into the USA based on different visa situations yet you have it and are seeking means to give it up, in a sense.

In a nutshell, whatever decision you make will be decided on by the CBP Officer at the POE at the US airport so get your green card in hand and have the school do a letter of study for you to show if it comes to that.

Good luck!