As a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) you must reside in the U.S. on a permanent basis. Your home should be in the U.S. Taking residence abroad could lead to the conclusion that you have abandoned your permanent residence in the U.S. This can lead to losing your green card status.
You are allowed to travel abroad, of course, but long periods of stay in other countries can endanger your status in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident. Staying abroad for 6 months or more is generally considered a long period abroad.
Furthermore, your green card is technically invalid after you have been away from the U.S. (and have not returned) for 1 year. After an absence of 1 year or more, you can have a difficult time reentering the U.S. even if your green card remains valid. An absence for 1 year or more could also make it seem like the U.S. is not your home. As said earlier, this can lead to a determination that you have abandoned your status.
To avoid the above complications, if you need to be out of the U.S. for an extended period, usually over 1 year, you can apply for a reentry permit.
A re-entry permit establishes that you did not intend to abandon your lawful permanent resident status (green card status) and allows you to reenter the U.S. after being away for a period of up to 2 years.
How do I get a re-entry permit?
You must apply for a re-entry permit while physically present in the U.S. You would file an Application for Travel Document with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Shortly after filing the application, you will be asked to attend a biometrics appointment at your local Application Support Center in the U.S. At the appointment, biometrics data will be collected in furtherance of obtaining identity information and conducting a background check.
Do re-entry permits expire?
Yes. Reentry permits are usually valid for 2 years. They cannot be extended. You must apply for a new one if you plan to continue traveling abroad.
How much does it cost?
The filing fee for a reentry permit application is $630.
In conclusion, you should be mindful of your time spent abroad, plan ahead, and always remember to obtain a reentry permit for circumstances when you will be out of the country for long periods of time. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our firm today.
