Maintaining a Green Card is something many new immigrants don’t fully understand, which can unfortunately lead to loss of permanent resident status. A Green Card comes with an obligation of actual residence, not just a card kept in your wallet.
Why You Must Pay Attention to Maintaining Your Green Card
Lawful permanent residents are expected to actually live in the US. Prolonged absence may be viewed as abandonment of permanent resident status, even if the card is still valid.
This is a common risk for people who frequently return to Vietnam in the early period.
Rules on Time Spent Outside the US
Theo U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an absence from the US of more than 6 months may lead the authorities to review your residency status.
If you plan to stay outside the US for more than 1 year, you should apply for a re-entry permit before leaving to protect your permanent resident status.
Other Obligations
Permanent residents must file and pay US income taxes, comply with the law, and report address changes. These obligations also form the basis for a later naturalization application.
Maintaining real ties to the US, such as housing, a job, and bank accounts, helps demonstrate your intent to reside there.
Moving Toward Citizenship
After holding a Green Card for the required period and meeting continuous residence requirements, you can apply for naturalization. Properly maintaining your permanent resident status is the foundation for this step.
To understand the pathway from the beginning, you can revisit the article I-485 và Consular Processing. The M2W team will continue to support you even after you receive your Green Card.
Read more: Overview of the EB-3 visa for US immigration · US Public Transportation: How to Get Around Affordably
