I had my 2 year green card for 1 year now. And I haven't been back to the US for more than 1 year. Does that mean my green card is invalid?

[holidaygift 0]

I had my 2 year green card for 1 year now. And I haven't been back to the US for more than 1 year. Does that mean my green card is invalid?

If so, should I reapply for IR1? What's the procedure? Do I need to abaondon my residence status first? Will that damage my reapplication? Thanks

[YuAndDan 153]

Sounds like you will be starting all over with a new visa but may only need a returning resident visa.

Look here for how to apply for a returning resident visa: http://www.***removed***/greencard/returnin...ident-visa.html

International Travel

A Permanent Resident of the United States can travel freely outside of the US. A passport from the country of citizenship is normally all that is needed. To reenter the US a Permanent Resident normally needs to present the green card (Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551) for readmission. A reentry permit is needed for reentry for trips greater than one year but less than two years in duration.

You may be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status if you:

• Move to another country intending to live there permanently.
• Remain outside of the US for more than one year without obtaining a reentry permit or returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.
• Remain outside of the US for more than two years after issuance of a reentry permit without obtaining a returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.
• Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the US for any period.
• Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant†on your tax returns.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD Edited December 6, 2011 by Kathryn41

[Dr_LHA 3]

I take it you don't have a reentrey permit? If not then you can bet that yes, your Green Card is now invalid. Time to start giving money to USCIS again I'm afraid.

[Yodrak 7]

holidaygift,

As others have written you most likely have abandoned your LPR status already, but you might want to have a consultation with a US immigration attorney to see if there is anything that can be done given the specific circumstances of your situation that might save you from having to start over.

Yodrak

I had my 2 year green card for 1 year now. And I haven't been back to the US for more than 1 year. Does that mean my green card is invalid?

If so, should I reapply for IR1? What's the procedure? Do I need to abaondon my residence status first? ....

[YuAndDan 153]

Here is more on the embassy site in Manila, and is quite detailed, I suspect other Embassies, and Consulates handle this in the same way.

APPLYING FOR RETURNING RESIDENT VISA

Good Luck

[Jasman0717 9]

You might go to the U.S. embassy in the country you are in to see if there is anything you can do before starting all over again. You have abandoned your LPR status by being out of the country for more than a year without a permit. Good luck