Travelling for more than 6 months

[ljujas2019 23]

Hi everyone! 

 

Due to the difficulties of immigrating (CR-1 status, green card holder) to the US right before the pandemic broke out this year, I had to go back to my home country temporarily, to take care of my family and because of heightened stress levels. I needed to go back home to feel okay again. Now, I'm back in the US, after 5,5-6 months. I have basically been unemployed since January and haven't been able to accomplish any of the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year, which is very disappointing.

 

My spouse and I are considering travelling together to my home country, for 2 weeks-1 month, if I am unable to get a job and start working in the US soon. My partner is very supportive and knows how hard the pandemic has been for me as an immigrant and how all my plans have been delayed. Given this background, I wanted to ask for your advice. Can I travel outside of the US for, let's say, a month, in February 2021, even though I was travelling outside of the US between May 11-October 31, 2020? How does the 6 month residence/travelling rule work? Do I have to wait 6 more months to travel again? How are days counted toward residence? Will I lose my green card if I travel again soon? Some people say that you can travel out of the country for one year with a green card and without any special re-entry permits; others claim that one can only travel for 6 months per year. What is accurate here? 

 

Sorry for all the overwhelming questions! 

[Boiler 45,541]

Travelling fro 2 weeks to 1 month will not be an issue.

[Locito 85]

I am sorry I don't have an answer to your actual question, but I feel for you. I've been here close to two years now, and I have struggled enormously with finding a decent job--especially one taking into account my disability. Before moving from Sweden, I thought I would easily get a job with my professional background. Of course then Covid pretty much decimated any jobs in my line of expertise and I have been unemployed since March, now finally back to work with a seasonal job that's supposed to last until Christmas.

 

Are you good with languages? Have you considered doing something like translation work online? I am doing some 1099 tasks whenever I can find them. $50-200 a month is better than nothing.

 

My spouse has been extremely supportive, too, as the way things stand, I couldn't pay our rent for a single month, let alone food, insurances and what have you on top with that with my current earnings. Makes me miss Scandinavian job security at times...

 

Anyway, while others can hopefully provide useful input on your question, keep in mind that if you are going apply for naturalization in the future, to my understanding you can't count the long periods spent abroad into your three year minimum period of residence.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,459]

You can be away from the US for uo to.a year. Over a year will require a re-entry permit before you travel (that is, applied for while in the US).

 

In your case - 6 months away and then a then a few weeks away will not be an issue, especially with you being in the US a few months in-between.

 

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Working & Traveling During US Immigration forum.