How to Avoid Having Your Green Card Invalidated
If you are a green card holder and plan to travel outside of the United States for an extended period of time, it is important to be aware of green card abandonment. Green card abandonment can happen when you are absent from the U.S. for one year or more. To avoid having your green card invalidated, it is important to apply for a re-entry permit prior to leaving the U.S. This article will discuss green card abandonment and how to apply for a re-entry permit to prevent it from happening.
Holding a green card comes with many responsibilities, one of which is maintaining a continuous physical presence in the United States. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always cooperate with our plans, and there may be times when you need to travel outside of the country for an extended period of time. If you aren’t careful, this can put you at risk for green card abandonment.
The green card becomes invalid for re-entry if you’ve been outside the U.S. for one year or more. Even trips over 180 days can invite additional questions from the CBP officer about the nature of your trip when reentering. You can avoid such issues by applying and obtaining an approved a re-entry permit prior to exiting the U.S. A re-entry permit can help you prevent green card abandonment in scenarios where you expect to be absent from the U.S. for over one year but less than two years, you expect to be absent from the U.S. for multiple short trips, or if you need to live outside of the U.S. for employment reasons.
If you have any questions about green card abandonment or need help applying for a re-entry permit, please schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration attorney from Direct U.S. Immigration. Traveling can be stressful enough without worrying about whether or not your green card will still be valid when you return. Let us take the stress away from your return!
