green card for parents

[Mike E 11,742]

7 minutes ago, JOJOJO22 said:

my older parents might need ER visits-no way to know for sure. we don't and won't live in CA, thanks for all answers.

I’m not actually seeing the attraction  for them to “live” in the USA.  Spending 6 months a year here, sure. But cheaper and possibly better health care in Europe, lower cost of living (depending on the country or region within a country) unless you want to buy electronics made in China (and a B visa or ESTA gives to access to that),  no tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards.  
 

Many of us, if not most of us, dream of retiring  in Portugal. 

[JOJOJO22 2]

3 hours ago, Mike E said:

1. The maximum continuous absence from the USA a green card holder should have is 180 days.  Not 6 months.  
 

2. Absences of 181 days or more can result in higher scrutiny by CBP upon return to the USA.  If CBP determines lawful permanent residency (LPR) status was abandoned, it will process the LPR as an arriving alien.  In concrete terms this can mean:

 

* the green card is confiscated

 

* the LPR is given a replacement temporary I-551 that lets the LPR travel and work.  Note that a green card is also an I-551. 30 days before the temporary I-551 expires, the LPR can make an appointment with USCIS to get a new I-551. Or the LPR can ask CBP for one while returning to the USA.  
 

* the LPR is given a notice to appear (NTA) in immigration court.  
 

3. Only an immigration judge can take away LPR status.  
 

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-3671?language=en_US#:~:text=The CBP officer will collect,final determination on your case Has details for what can happen to LPRs who stay away for more than 180 days.  Note that this can happen to LPRs who stay away for less than 181 continuous days but are spending most of their time  outside the USA.  
 

This all said we’ve seen plenty of cases where LPRs stayed away for years and CBP processed them as returning residents.  Including one who stayed away longer than 9 years.  In other web sites I’ve helped people who stayed away longer than 10 years.  
 

Still I don’t recommend a continuous absence of more than 120 days and anything longer should be prefixed an I-131 to get a re-entry permit.  And LPRs should spend 7/12s or more of their time in the USA.  

okay, thanks for explaining/ do you know how long is the immigration visa valid? how long do they have to decide to come here after they receive the visa? thanks

[Boiler 45,837]

6 months from medical

[Mike E 11,742]

1 minute ago, JOJOJO22 said:

okay, thanks for explaining/ do you know how long is the immigration visa valid? how long do they have to decide to come here after they receive the visa? thanks

The visa is usually good for 6 months.  

[JOJOJO22 2]

3 hours ago, Mike E said:

I’m not actually seeing the attraction  for them to “live” in the USA.  Spending 6 months a year here, sure. But cheaper and possibly better health care in Europe, lower cost of living (depending on the country or region within a country) unless you want to buy electronics made in China (and a B visa or ESTA gives to access to that),  no tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards.  
 

Many of us, if not most of us, dream of retiring  in Portugal. 

it's not a lot of attraction to live in USA. but I  already live here and they and we want to spend more time with their grandkids. it's hard for us to travel to europe with kids and full time jobs.(especially around holidays). my parents don't have any reason to immigrate in another european country. they are europeans. but Portugal is a beutiful country if your dream becomes true-it's a good choice:)

[JOJOJO22 2]

Just now, JOJOJO22 said:

it's not a lot of attraction to live in USA. but I  already live here and they and we want to spend more time with their grandkids. it's hard for us to travel to europe with kids and full time jobs.(especially around holidays). my parents don't have any reason to immigrate in another european country. they are europeans. but Portugal is a beutiful country if your dream becomes true-it's a good choice:)

I was asking questions only-I am not sure if we have a good reason to apply for their green cards and the more I think about it, the more I think not

[SalishSea 18,016]

3 hours ago, JOJOJO22 said:

my older parents might need ER visits-no way to know for sure. we don't and won't live in CA, thanks for all answers.

You will want to look at some of the more expensive insurance plans, due to their age.  The cheaper ones for 'catastrophic only' coverage are appropriate for young and healthy people, but not elderly people.  Like MikeE said, you will want to budget upwards of $1k/ month for each parent.