American citizen study abroad while spouse in AoS

[Visa Journey User 0]

Thanks to everyone for the help on this site thus far.

I am an American citizen who married a European national a few months ago on an I-129F here in The United States. We filed for AoS after the wedding, and it has been processing for a little over a month. The issue I am faced with is that I have just received an offer for a graduate program in Europe. It would not start until the fall.

Is it possible to continue the AoS/GC process if my wife comes with me to Europe? We can return on a somewhat regular basis for holidays. We will maintain a bank account, car, house, etc, in the USA while in Europe; we have every intention to come back to live in the USA after I am done.

I have investigated some information on the USCIS website about extend trips out of the USA with a green card. I expect the green card to be approved by the time I leave, thought if it isn't, my spouse could wait for the extra time for approval. There are also some forums the USCIS website mentions for extended stays outside the USA while on a GC to maintain resident seeking status.

I'm sure this isn't the first time this has happened. I scoured the forums but come up empty handed. What is the protocol for going this route? Are there any forms/systems in place for continuing resident seeking status while temporarily abroad with an American spouse?

Edited May 25, 2016 by Visa Journey User

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You would apply for a reentry permit which gives her the right to be outside the US for 2 years and won't abandon her residency.

[Visa Journey User 0]

Ok, so it is possible. What if the program runs longer than 2 years? Would she be able to renew her reentry permit before the 2 year mark, possibly by returning to the USA, then leave again to go back to Europe?

Also, is this reentry permit the best/only way? Is there a way to suspend the AoS process for a defined time, or is this basically it?