How long can you stay outside the US with non conditional greencard

[Hamza Sufi 8]

19 minutes ago, Luckycuds said:

Can you clarify, are you currently in Pakistan? 

Yes , I came here from the US in May 2019 , now looking to go back early or mid February 2020 

[Hamza Sufi 8]

21 minutes ago, Nitas_man said:

The rules say up to (1) year

After 6 months they may or may not bring you to secondary.  

After a year they can assume you have abandoned residence and send you to immigration court.

 

When you return IF they bring you to secondary clearly explain what you were doing and be firm (but polite) that you are not surrendering your green card or going back.  They cannot take your green card, only an immigration judge can do that so you have to get a hearing.

 

As the loss of your father extended your stay you might want to carry some documentation on that.

 

 

Dont stay out for over a year.  

 

You have to apply for a travel document to be out for an extended time before you leave.  It’s too late for that.

 

Good luck

 

Thank you sir things are much more clear now , so let me get things straight, you said that most likely I am not going to experience an issue , I can be sent to secondary I’m there I can explain to them what I was doing here , along with some documentation... right ? 

 

You also mentioned about about getting a travel document when traveling for an extended period of time. What does this extended period of time specifically mean ? More than a year or less than a year ? 

Is the travel document the same thing as getting a re entry permit ? 

 

 

Thank you 

[JFH 12,190]

48 minutes ago, Hamza Sufi said:

Thank you sir things are much more clear now , so let me get things straight, you said that most likely I am not going to experience an issue , I can be sent to secondary I’m there I can explain to them what I was doing here , along with some documentation... right ? 

 

You also mentioned about about getting a travel document when traveling for an extended period of time. What does this extended period of time specifically mean ? More than a year or less than a year ? 

Is the travel document the same thing as getting a re entry permit ? 

 

 

Thank you 

He is referring to the re-entry permit. This is for those who are going to be out for more than 12 months. 

 

However, since you are in the process of closing all your affairs now, you surely won’t need this in the future. When you return to the US you will be staying permanently and only taking short business, social or vacation trips out of the country. You don’t need a re-entry permit for those trips.

[Dashinka 24,516]

2 minutes ago, JFH said:

He is referring to the re-entry permit. This is for those who are going to be out for more than 12 months. 

 

However, since you are in the process of closing all your affairs now, you surely won’t need this in the future. When you return to the US you will be staying permanently and only taking short business, social or vacation trips out of the country. You don’t need a re-entry permit for those trips.

Not to mention that the OP is already outside the US so a re-entry permit application is a moot point.

[geowrian 22,337]

3 hours ago, Hamza Sufi said:

Thank you sir for your elaborate response , from what information I gathered i found out that you don’t require a re entry permit if you come back within one year , which I will be coming back in around 10 months, so that’s why I didn’t apply for a re entry permit when leaving the US , is that right or will I be needing a re entry permit even if I am gone for less than a year ?

It's best suited for those who plan to be out over a year. My remark was based on not having an absolute time to be back in the US (things could happen) but knowing it was at least near a year.

If you're already abroad then it is a moot point now. Just be sure to come back before the 1 year.

[usmantariq88 4]

8 hours ago, Hamza Sufi said:

Why are you confused sir ? @Awais424

 

20 hours ago, Hamza Sufi said:

Hello everyone , 

i got my greencard in April 2019 and came back from the US in May 2019 , I stayed there a total of two months from March to May 2019. 

 

The only reason of me coming back from the US was to wrap up my business and property over here, I will be mostly done with everything until January

 

what I wanted to ask was when can I travel back to America without causing any problems at the entry points , I’ve heard more than a year is a problem, but if I go in mid February will that be a problem ? Is it too close to being a year ? 

 

Please help as im looking at tickets these days so that I can buy accordingly 

 

best regards 

before 6 months come back to usa .then after entry again to usa go back to pakistan. 2nd option is get a 2 years re entry form and stay there long period.

[Hamza Sufi 8]

Will the one year be counted from the day I left the US ? Or from the day I entered US for the first time ? 

[Hamza Sufi 8]

39 minutes ago, geowrian said:

It's best suited for those who plan to be out over a year. My remark was based on not having an absolute time to be back in the US (things could happen) but knowing it was at least near a year.

If you're already abroad then it is a moot point now. Just be sure to come back before the 1 year.

Will the one year be counted from the day I left the US ? Or the day I entered the US for the first time ? 

 

[geowrian 22,337]

5 minutes ago, Hamza Sufi said:

Will the one year be counted from the day I left the US ? Or from the day I entered US for the first time ? 

Date of exit from the US.

[Hamza Sufi 8]

Thank you all for your help and elaborate responses 

specially @Nitas_man @geowrian @Bill & Katya

[Nitas_man 3,100]

1 hour ago, Hamza Sufi said:

Will the one year be counted from the day I left the US ? Or from the day I entered US for the first time ? 

From the day you exited the US

[Nitas_man 3,100]

4 hours ago, Hamza Sufi said:

Thank you sir things are much more clear now , so let me get things straight, you said that most likely I am not going to experience an issue , I can be sent to secondary I’m there I can explain to them what I was doing here , along with some documentation... right ? 

 

You also mentioned about about getting a travel document when traveling for an extended period of time. What does this extended period of time specifically mean ? More than a year or less than a year ? 

Is the travel document the same thing as getting a re entry permit ? 

 

 

Thank you 

Officially it means more than a year

it covers long exits for up to two years.

As noted, you have to apply for it and do biometrics for it before you leave the US so it is not applicable here.

@secondary - yes.  Explain your absence, show them some documentation, and decline anything related to surrendering your green card or self-deporting.  No matter how long you are there or what they ask for just politely repeat that if needed you will resolve the issue before an immigration judge.

You’ll be fine.