How to keep the American green card

The American green card is the dream of every immigrant, and it is hard to come by. However, if you lose your permanent resident status because of your ignorance and carelessness about American immigration laws and regulations, it will not be worth the candle. Many green card holders mistakenly believe that as long as they get a re-entry permit and a green card valid for two years, they can leave the United States for more than 1 year or two years before entering the country. This understanding is incorrect. Leaving the country with a green card for a long time, the re-entry permit of the United States alone cannot guarantee that the cardholder can re-enter, and the green card may be confiscated when entering the country.

The so-called permanent resident status, as the name implies, is issued to residents who have lived in the United States for a long time, not those who obviously live abroad and just come to the United States for tourism. Therefore, immigration officials mainly judge whether permanent residents intend to live permanently in the United States, whether they have maintained a continuous intention to return to the United States, or actually intend to give up their qualifications as permanent residents. For green card holders who have left the country for less than half a year, the Immigration Bureau does not think that the parties have interrupted their residence period, and the examination at the time of entry will not be too strict. Unless special circumstances show that the cardholder may have given up his residence, or he often leaves the country regularly, this constitutes a pattern that arouses the suspicion of immigration officials.

For green card holders who have been abroad for more than 6 months, the Immigration Bureau will doubt whether the holders have given up their right of abode. This aspect is largely determined by the subjective judgment of immigration officials. In considering whether to grant entry, immigration officers will consider the following factors:

1. Family relationship-whether any family members or relatives have settled in the United States.

2. Work or business status-Do you have any career development, pay taxes, or apply for exemption from foreign income in the United States?

3. Economic and living conditions in the United States-whether there are real estate or long-term rental houses in the United States, bank deposits, credit cards, membership cards, cars, various insurances, certificates, tax returns, etc.

4. The length of departure time, the purpose and motivation of departure-if you have left for more than half a year, is there any permission to re-enter the United States? Is there any evidence to prove the special reason for this long-term departure? For example, getting sick, taking care of sick relatives, and dealing with real estate.

As mentioned above, green card holders who have left the country for more than six months need a re-entry permit to the United States, but if the parties concerned are not inextricably linked with the United States, it is not enough to rely solely on re-entry permits and green cards to maintain their green cards. Immigration officials will combine the above factors to judge whether the green card holder has given up his identity as an American resident. For some green card holders who report to America every six months. Although there will be no major problems in entering the United States, it is not certain that the record of entering the United States once every six months can maintain the green card status, or it is up to the immigration officer to make a judgment. Therefore, green card holders should make full preparations for entry before leaving the United States. He should put all the evidence that can prove that he has no intention of giving up his resident status in a convenient place and carry it with him so that he can show it to the immigration officer.

This evidence includes:

Tax filing materials: The tax bill is very favorable evidence to prove that the green card holder intends to maintain the status of permanent resident. Timely tax filing can prove that he is fulfilling his obligations to American society as a permanent resident of the United States. American permanent residents working overseas should also fill in forms 1040 and 1 1 16, and consult an accountant to calculate the tax returns in proportion. According to the US tax law, American permanent residents can get a tax-free annual income of $70,000 if they work overseas.

Real estate ownership certificate, bank account certificate, credit card, valid driver's license, auto insurance, medical insurance, etc.

Address, nature and place of work of relatives and family members, etc. If the reason for leaving the United States is to be sent overseas by the company, the company's certification letter needs to specify the working hours and nature of the work.

Return to America. (If the green card holder needs to leave the United States for more than half a year)

Proof of contact with local communities in the United States: proof of participation in various social groups, alliances, clubs, etc. , various membership cards, etc.