If my wife's company sends her to work abroad, does that impact her green card status?
My wife was offered a position to work abroad and is in her second year of her first green card (2 year green card). We are about to apply for the 10 year green card and shortly after, for citizenship. My question is, since part of the requirements for the green card is to be living in the US, will a job relocation be considered an exception OR will she be at risk of losing her status?
Answers ( 1 )
Your wife should not accept work abroad if you're applying for a the 10-year green card, that would put her status at risk. Green card holders would be at risk for any type of extended stay abroad. Traveling on a temporary basis would not usually be a problem, but working for an extended period would be a problem.
https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/maintaining-permanent-residence
Once you become a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder), you maintain permanent resident status until you:
Apply for and complete the naturalization process; or
Lose or abandon your status.
There are several ways that you can lose your status as a lawful permanent resident.
Abandoning Permanent Resident Status
You may also lose your permanent resident status by intentionally abandoning it, including but not limited to:
Moving to another country and intending to live there permanently;
Declaring yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your U.S. tax returns; or
Remaining outside of the United States for an extended period of time, unless it’s a temporary absence, as shown by:
Note: Obtaining a re-entry permit from USCIS before you leave, or a returning resident visa (SB-1) from a U.S. consulate while abroad, may help show that you planned for this to be a temporary absence.