Greencard Renewal - Long Stay Out of USA

[lennys26]

I am a US citizen and my wife is a Spanish citizen. She applied and received her 2 year conditional greencard in 2006.

Unexpectedly, due to work requirements, we left the US almost immediately after she received the card (actually, I left a few weeks earlier, she remained to receive her Advanced Parole document). When we left, my work project was for 3 months, however that contract was extended for an additional 15 months.

We would like to renew her greencard (remove the restrictions) so we can return without any restrictions, however am worried that the long time out of the USA will be an issue.

I hate to throw away all of the time and money spent in obtaining her conditional greencard in the first place, however don't want to waste any more time and money if there is no chance in her getting the renewal.

Anyone have any experiences in anything similar?

[PraetorianXI]

Sadly, she has already lost her conditional resident status.

By being gone from the USA for more than 1 year without applying for a RE-ENTRY permit (it is the same I-131 form, but for a different purpose).

So, her GC is gone, she has not even been in the USA since the GC was approved... so forget it, do not waste your money with the I-751...

You will have to apply for it all over again and this time, it should be a 10 year conditional GC (still subject to maintaining residency requirements).

[lennys26]

Thanks PraetorianXI. (he says with a sniff and a sigh)