Remember that it is not true that if you have a green card, as long as you return every year you can stay out of the country for extended periods of time.   It is true that if you have a green card (and don’t have a reentry permit), you cannot stay out of the US for more than a year at a time, but that alone won’t protect your green card.   The issue is whether or not the CBP (Customs/Border inspection guys) or the USCIS believe that you are residing out of the country.   It is possible to lose your green card even if you return after a stay of less than a year — I have had clients given hard times at the airport for trips of less than one year.   On the other hand, I have one client who “lived” outside the country for about twenty years, returning only one time a year, and she had no difficulty at all.   There is no way to know what to expect — but it is better to be careful.

I advise my clients to, in any consecutive 12 month period, be in the US more than they are out of the US, and, to talk to me before committing to any trips of five months or more.   That way we can prepare for possible trouble on the border.   That is also why I advise people to get their citizenship as soon as possible — so they don’t need to deal with these issues.    Remember that there are special citizenship opportunities for missionaries!

I will talk about Reentry permits at another time.

Gunnar