This is the maximum amount of time you can leave and enter the US without losing your Green Card

The Green Card is the essential document for foreigners seeking to make a living in the United States. Through this, they are granted the opportunity to become legal residents of the country.

Once acquired, foreigners will be able to work and live permanently in the United States.

This document also gives them the possibility of being qualified for financial assistance from the government or Social Security benefits, if the eligibility requirements allow it.

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Be aware of time limits when traveling on a Green Card

Green Card holders can enter and leave the country as many times as necessary, since there is no limit on doing so. Temporary or brief travel usually does not affect their permanent resident status.

However, the amount of time they spend outside the United States is important if they do not want to put their immigration status at risk.

According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS, permanent residents who travel abroad for less than six months do not usually have problems returning to the U.S.

However, when the time away exceeds this period of time, permanent residents may face questions from customs officials when they try to return to the country.

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If it is found that they did not intend to make the U.S. their permanent home, they will be considered to have abandoned their permanent resident status. According to the USCIS, a general guide used is whether the resident has been absent from the United States for more than a year.

However, abandonment may also be found to take place in trips of less than a year, where it is believed the Green Card holder did not intend to make the U.S. their permanent residence.

Any stay longer than six months could put a resident’s immigration status at risk, since this can be interpreted as abandonment by the authorities, which could lead to the loss of the Green Card.

What should I do if I’m going to be gone for more than a year?

Planning your trip in advance and consulting with an immigration attorney are good courses of action.

If you are going to be away for more than 12 months, the USCIS recommends applying for a reentry permit before leaving the country. With this, you will be able to return without major complications.

Getting this permit before leaving the U.S. allows a permanent resident to apply for admission back into the country during the permit’s validity without the need to obtain a returning resident visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.

For more information, contact the USCIS offices or consult with a specialized attorney.

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