What is the 6 month rule for U.S. green card?

An absence of more than 6 months (more than 180 days) but less than 1 year (less than 365 days) during the period for which continuous residence is required (also called “the statutory period”) is presumed to break the continuity of such residence.
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Can you stay more than 6 months outside USA with green card?

If you are a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), you may leave the United States multiple times and reenter, if you do not intend to stay outside the United States for 1 year or more.
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How long can I be away from the US with a green card?

Absences of more than 365 consecutive days

You must apply for a re-entry permit (Form I-131) before you leave the United States, or your permanent residence status will be considered abandoned. A re-entry permit enables you to be abroad for up to two years. Apply for a re-entry permit.
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Do you have to stay in the US for 6 months green card?

The short answer is no, you don't have to. If you will be traveling for an extended time, you just need to make sure you have the correct documents. Returning every 6 months will help your LPR status not coming under scrutiny or possibly being regarded as being abandoned.
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Can I stay more than 1 year outside US with green card?

If you stay outside of the United States for 1 year or more and did not apply for a reentry permit before you left, you may be considered to have abandoned your permanent resident status. If this happens, you may be referred to appear before an immigration judge to decide whether or not you have abandoned your status.
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When can I return to the US after 6 months stay?

There aren't any rules or laws requiring you to wait a specific time before you are allowed to return. What you must remember is staying the maximum time during your previous visit and then wanting to return soon after that might raise suspicion with the immigration officer.
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Can I stay 3 months outside US with green card?

Yes, you can travel abroad as a green card holder — that's one of the many benefits of being a permanent resident. However, your trip must be temporary and you cannot remain outside the United States for more than 1 year.
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Can I stay 8 months outside US with green card?

The law states that if a Green Card holder remains outside of the United States for one year and one day during any one trip, they are considered to have abandoned their residency and lose their Green Card and permanent resident status.
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How do I maintain my US green card?

How To Maintain Your LPR Or Green Card Status
  1. Don't leave the United States for any extended period of time, or move to another country with the intent to live there permanently.
  2. Always file your federal, state, and, if applicable, local income tax returns as a resident.
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Do you have to move to the US as soon as you get a green card?

It must be renewed, however, after 10 years, but this is only a formality. If you are a DV-2025 winner, then you have until the end of DV-2025 at the latest to travel to the USA and activate your Green Card. On your first trip to the USA, you are not required to stay for a long time.
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Can I stay 7 months outside US with green card?

An absence of more than 6 months (more than 180 days) but less than 1 year (less than 365 days) during the period for which continuous residence is required (also called “the statutory period”) is presumed to break the continuity of such residence.
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What are the green card rules?

As a permanent resident (Green Card holder), you have the right to:
  • Live permanently in the United States provided you do not commit any actions that would make you removable under immigration law.
  • Work in the United States at any legal work of your qualification and choosing.
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What are the disadvantages of a green card?

What Are Some Limitations of Having a Green Card?
  • You cannot vote in U.S. elections.
  • You have a lower priority than U.S. citizens when sponsoring family members for green cards.
  • Your green card is not transferable. ...
  • You cannot run for political office in the United States.
  • You can't get a U.S. passport with a green card.
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How do I keep my green card status while living abroad?

8 Steps to Maintaining Permanent U.S. Residence While Residing...
  1. Maintain and use U.S. savings and checking bank accounts. ...
  2. Maintain a U.S. address. ...
  3. Obtain a U.S. driver's license. ...
  4. Obtain a credit card from a U.S. institution. ...
  5. File U.S. income tax returns.
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How can I avoid losing my green card?

Generally, we recommend the following ways to protect your status:
  1. Renew your green card before it expires (every ten years OR after two years if you were given a conditional green card)
  2. Obtain a reentry permit if you plan on leaving the U.S. for an extended period.
  3. Secure employment in the U.S.
  4. File taxes in the U.S.
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What is the 4 year 1 day rule for US citizenship?

The 4 year 1 day rule mostly works as follows. Once you've broken continuous residency, a new period will begin to run on the first day you return to the U.S. Form the day you must stay in the U.S. for a minimum of 4 years and 1 day before you can apply for naturalization again.
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How long do you have to leave us before returning?

There is no set period you must remain outside the USA before returning but: "When traveling to the U.S. with the approved ESTA, you may only stay for up to 90 days at a time - and there should be a reasonable amount of time between visits so that the CBP Officer does not think you are trying to live here.
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What happens if I stay more than 6 months outside us?

If you are abroad for 6 months or more per year, you risk “abandoning” your green card. This is especially true after multiple prolonged absences or after a prior warning by a CBP officer at the airport.
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What is the 30 60 days rule in immigration?

The 30/60 day rule (which was used before September 2017) assumed that if an adjustment of status application was filed within 30 days of entering the U.S. then the applicant misrepresent their original intent and they would subsequently be denied and those filed 30-60 days after coming to the U.S. were flagged as ...
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How many times can I visit USA in one year?

There is no limit on the number of times you may enter the U.S. under either ESTA of a visa. However, if reentering the U.S. using ESTA soon after staying for nearly 90 days, you can expect to be questioned in detail by the immigration officer about the purpose of your visit.
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Can parents stay in U.S. for more than 6 months?

When you enter the U.S., a customs officer will give you authorization to stay in the U.S. for up to six months. If you'd like to stay for longer, you may be able to apply to extend this for up to one year.
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Does a green card last for life?

A Permanent Resident Card (USCIS Form I-551)

Although some Permanent Resident Cards, commonly known as Green Cards, contain no expiration date, most are valid for 10 years. If you have been granted conditional permanent resident status, the card is valid for 2 years.
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Which countries can I visit with US green card?

There are several countries that you can visit with your Green Card, that you otherwise may not be able to.
...
Here are the countries that Green Card Holders can visit without a visa:
  • Canada.
  • Mexico.
  • Costa Rica.
  • Georgia.
  • The British Virgin Islands.
  • Aruba and Curaçao.
  • The Balkans.
  • Singapore.
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Why do green cards get denied?

Your green card can be denied if you have a communicable disease, you don't provide documentation of the required vaccinations, you are a drug abuser or addict, or you have a physical or mental disorder that is a threat to yourself or others.
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What is the shortest time to get a green card?

Employment-Based Green Card Processing Time (1-6 Years)

You can possibly get your Green Card within a year. But it could easily just as well take between 4 and 6 years if you apply in a popular category that receives many applications. There are many different types of employment-based visas.
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