When you become a permanent resident of the United States, you are given a green card. This establishes your status and allows you to lawfully live and work in the country without the requirement that you have a specific visa, such as an employment visa.
However, you may be worried about certain actions putting your status in jeopardy. If you travel abroad, leaving the United States for a certain period of time, could that cause problems with your green card in the future? Would you be putting your permanent resident status at risk?
Short-term travel versus abandoning your status
Typically speaking, there is not an issue with short-term travel plans. If you simply want to go on vacation or spend a week visiting family who live abroad, it does not put your permanent resident status in jeopardy.
However, if you travel out of the country for an extended period of time, the government may determine that you have abandoned your status or that you never intended to make the United States your permanent home in the first place. If you obtain a green card as a permanent resident of the U.S. but spend most of your time living abroad, that status could be revoked.
Although every situation is unique, a general rule of thumb is that you should not leave the country for more than one year. If you need to do so, you should first use Form I-131, which is an application for a reentry permit. If you have this permit, you may be able to take an extended trip, but still re-enter the country without losing your green card.
Your legal rights
Immigration law can be very complicated, and it is important to understand your rights and how they can affect your status. It can help to work with an experienced attorney at this time.