Temporary green card living abroad

[edrahil]

Hey everybody, quick question: my spouse is a US citizen currently living in the US and is filing an I-130 to sponsor my visa. I currently live and work in Europe.

If everything goes right and (after a year or so) I get the visa stamp to travel to the US and get the temporary green card; do I have to stay in the US for 2 years to file the I-751 or I can stay working in Europe and file I-751 later?

I have a good job and my spouse and I travel a lot to see each other.

Thanks!

[newacct]

As a US permanent resident, you would need to live in the US. Otherwise, you abandon your permanent residency. If you are not ready to move to the US, you guys should wait until you are a year or so away from being ready to move to the US before your spouse petitions you to immigrate.

[edrahil]

As a US permanent resident, you would need to live in the US. Otherwise, you abandon your permanent residency. If you are not ready to move to the US, you guys should wait until you are a year or so away from being ready to move to the US before your spouse petitions you to immigrate.

this makes a lot of sense, thank you.

would this affect the i-130 filing in the future? I mean, waiting a year or so from being married to file the i-130.

edit: if we wait until the marriage is 2 years old, would I get the permanent GC?

[newacct]

No, it will not affect you immigrating in the future. People don't always immigrate when they marry.

If on the day you enter the US with your immigrant visa, you have been married for 2 years, you will become a non-conditional permanent resident.

[edrahil]

No, it will not affect you immigrating in the future. People don't always immigrate when they marry.

If on the day you enter the US with your immigrant visa, you have been married for 2 years, you will become a non-conditional permanent resident.

thank you so much!