Immigration- I have a green card. How long can I stay outside U.S before I lose my green card status?

A Permanent Resident of the United States can travel freely outside of the US. A passport from the country of citizenship is normally all that is needed. To reenter the US a Permanent Resident normally needs to present the green card (Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551) for readmission. A reentry permit is needed for reentry for trips greater than one year but less than two years in duration.





You may be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status if you:





- Move to another country intending to live there permanently.





- Remain outside of the US for more than one year without obtaining a reentry permit or returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.





- Remain outside of the US for more than two years after issuance of a reentry permit without obtaining a returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.





- Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the US for any period.





- Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your tax returns.


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PS: Nothing is said about any of this on the 'Welcome To The United States of America' letter. I just checked mine (I got it last Summer) and confirmed that. The above information is all from www.uscis.gov|||Can't you find that sort of info out with the immigration dept.?|||6 months my friend has a green card and that is what they told him when he received it|||dont know try taking citizenship up then you can travel when you like.|||Remain outside of the US for more than one year without obtaining a reentry permit or returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.





didn't you read your welcome letter that you got with your gc?|||i heard it was 3 months.... but since you got a green card and had to go threw all of that red tape just to get it.. why would you want to stay outside of the U.S. in ther first place....