Outside US - 2.5 Years

[gmzar]

Hi,
I am a Green Card Holder.
I left the US around 3 years ago on a 2 year Re-Entry Permit, which expired on 08/29/07.
I was not able to return the US because I really couldn't
afford to financially. I recently got a job offer from a company in the US to work as a Computer Programmer.
I was wondering if this will help me re-enter the US without any problems. I really never intended on staying outside so long, but I had family issues that I
needed to attend to.
Please I need advice on how to do this, the last thing I want is to lose my Greencard.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer

[PraetorianXI]

I believe that you already lost your Green Card (permanent resident status). Any absence for more than 2 years will do that.

Your ONLY chance is applying for a returning resident visa (SB1) at your local consulate and that in itself it is quite an ordeal.

Read here for more information: https://www.immihelp.com/returning-r...ncard-holders/

[KBC]

This is something I can never figured out. There is no way that they can keep track(tell) that how long you have been out of the country(USA). Remember, the only time that you need to show you ID (passport/green card) is when you come in the country. When you leave US you dont have to go through US custom & border. If they dont have the date that you departured, how are they going to tell how long that you have been out of the country as they dont have the departure date to compare to the comming back date.

Thanks.

[PraetorianXI]

The airlines provide DHS with Passengers Manifests... they know that you have left. And "cheating" the system can get you kicked out of the USA for good and any benefits obtained this way revoked, including US citizenship.