Hi,
I (Philippine citizen)obtained a green card but left US since July 24, 2022 because my husband (US and German citizen) decided to settle back in his country and I also found work.
Since a year has already passed, I believe GC is considered abandoned.
My husband and I want to visit (for leisure) US on January 2024. I still have the GC with me and it will expire May 4 2024. My questions is, what is the best route to take?
1. Formally surrender my GC by mail to USCIS mailbox and apply for tourist visa as soon as I get an official confirmation of the abandonment? But the processing time here will play a big role because I have read experiences where it has been 3 months and they have not yet heard anything from USCIS. THe problem here, is I might not be able to apply for a tourist visa on time if I don't have the confirmation since I will still be considered as LPR in their system.
2. Travel with my GC and at the CBP, submit my green card along with the i407 and request for Form I-193 Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa to re-enter US for my desired travel. Con here is I am not sure if they will grant me re-entry just on that basis of 407 + 193. Although here in this article https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-3671?language=en_US, its pretty straightforward.
Has anybody tried to enter US by doing the option number 2 above?
Your experience and tips would be very much appreciated!