Hello,
I had my 10 year Green Card approved last year and I just got approved for my Master's education in Europe. From June 2023 to July 2025.
It looks like we are not allowed to stay more than 1 year outside of the US with a GC so I have been doing some Research and I found out about the Reentry Permit.
It looks like after you apply, you have to be in America for the Fingerprints and they can send the reentry permit to the US embassy in another country.
I have a few questions if somebody is able to give me some help
1- I want to fly to Europe in the end of this month ( April ) I read that is "recommended" that you apply 60 days before you travel....but what I understand is that is "recommended" not "mandatory"? Is that correct? What you guys think about that?
2- IF the previous question (1 ) answer is not "mandatory"........
If I apply TODAY, lets say, how many days after that I can go overseas ( I read on the internet that USCIS needs to "receive" the application before I leave but I don't know if that is accurate ) I saw some people saying that they applied from the US and left the country on the same day .Also if USCIS really needs to receive the documents how many days that usually take?
3- Lets say I Apply now APRIL 2023. I read that is taking about 1 year for the Reentry permit to be approved...so let's say its approved on APRIL 2024......ALL this time ( between April 2023-April 2024 ) Im not protected against the "green card abandonment" problem? Im only "protected" once the Reentry permit is Approved? Or they see the "good faith" on it ? I probably gonna be coming to America every 8-10 months, so having the Reentry permit application PENDING gonna protect me from CBP in any way?
4- Is there any chance they waive the fingerprints like they did with my Removal of conditions in 2020? because im gonna have to return to the US to do fingerprints coz its taking months
Im just trying to see what is going to be my strategy applying for this. I worked really hard to get this Master's in Europe but I don't wanna risk my US residency neither...It must have a safe way to do that!!!!
I paid $ 500 for a lawyer last week to help me with that and he gave me only generic not updated information and I don't wanna waste another $700 with this RP if this is not gonna "protect me"
Thank you very much guys!!!