Maintaining green card while working abroad

[swanzi88]

Hi,

I current have a green card and japanese passport. I want to work in Japan
for a few years. Is there a way I could maintain my permanent residency
status? I do not plan on making Japan my permanent home. I have lived in
US for over 20 years and my mother, father, and sister also still live
in Hawaii and will not be moving. Is getting citizenship another option? I can take it anytime soon I guess.

Thanks

[Virginiaone]

Any answer on this subject?

Hi all-
I am new to the forum and I need help with Green Card retention for my spouse. I am an US citizen and I have been married to my spouse (a Vietnamese) for 5 years. We both are living and am currently working on the two-years assignment in Ho Chi Minh city. NVC has informed us that they are working on the interview schedule with the US Consulates on her Immigration VISA in Ho Chi Minh and I am sure my spouse would get her green card when we flight to the US on July 15, 2015. However, we will go back to HCM on 7/31 to resume work and I wonder if there is any pre-steps such as filing form I-131 ect.

Please advise and thanks in-advanced

[rayb]

Soon as your wife arrives in the U.S., you can apply for a Reentry Permit (I-131), and she must wait for her Biometrics to be completed before leaving the U.S. Since her I-551 stamp in her passport, pending Green Card arrival, will only be good for a year, it would be advisable for her to wait in the U.S. until she gets her Green Card before going back to HCM (about 30 days).

--Ray B

Hi all-
I am new to the forum and I need help with Green Card retention for my spouse. I am an US citizen and I have been married to my spouse (a Vietnamese) for 5 years. We both are living and am currently working on the two-years assignment in Ho Chi Minh city. NVC has informed us that they are working on the interview schedule with the US Consulates on her Immigration VISA in Ho Chi Minh and I am sure my spouse would get her green card when we flight to the US on July 15, 2015. However, we will go back to HCM on 7/31 to resume work and I wonder if there is any pre-steps such as filing form I-131 ect.

Please advise and thanks in-advanced

[Virginiaone]

Form DS-117

Soon as your wife arrives in the U.S., you can apply for a Reentry Permit (I-131), and she must wait for her Biometrics to be completed before leaving the U.S. Since her I-551 stamp in her passport, pending Green Card arrival, will only be good for a year, it would be advisable for her to wait in the U.S. until she gets her Green Card before going back to HCM (about 30 days).

--Ray B

Many thanks for your quick reply. The problem is that she will go back to Ho Chi Minh with me on July 31 because I have to resume work. So, when my brother in the US receives her Green Card, he will mail it to us. I have read futher instructions beside the I-131, there is another form call DS-117 Application to Determine Returning Resident Status. Does anyone has any suggestion on this?

[rayb]

With proper use of the Reentry Permit, the DS-117 won't be of any particular use to you.

Many thanks for your quick reply. The problem is that she will go back to Ho Chi Minh with me on July 31 because I have to resume work. So, when my brother in the US receives her Green Card, he will mail it to us. I have read futher instructions beside the I-131, there is another form call DS-117 Application to Determine Returning Resident Status. Does anyone has any suggestion on this?

[Virginiaone]

Can we do the biometrics at the local NSC before sending the I-131?

Hi-
Thanks so much for your help. Due to the limited number of days staying in the US (July 15 - July 31), can we just go ahead and get the biometrics at the nearest NSC and submit the evidence along with the I-131?

[rayb]

Not exactly. You must submit the I-131 and fee, then wait for a Biometrics appointment about 3-4 weeks later. After the Biometrics is completed, and you understand how the issued Reentry Permit will reach you, you are safe to leave.

--Ray B

Hi-
Thanks so much for your help. Due to the limited number of days staying in the US (July 15 - July 31), can we just go ahead and get the biometrics at the nearest NSC and submit the evidence along with the I-131?

[Virginiaone]

I-131 Part 5 and Submission

Not exactly. You must submit the I-131 and fee, then wait for a Biometrics appointment about 3-4 weeks later. After the Biometrics is completed, and you understand how the issued Reentry Permit will reach you, you are safe to leave.

--Ray B

Hi Ray,

I have another question related to the I-131 Part 5 and I am not sure what is the best choice to enter? My spouse has been living in HCM during the past 5 years and her first LPR stamp will be on 7/17. She only joins me to the US for our home leave about three weeks and then come back to HCM. For the sumission of I-131, since we only stay in the US from 7/17 to 7/31, I plan to submit the I-131 for her and wait for the Biometrics appoinment from USCIS. If the appoinment come, let's say August, then she will fly back to the US for this. Does it sound right?