By Debbie McGoldrick

Returning Resident

“I MOVED to Ireland 21 months ago. I had a green card and lived in the U.S. for eight years, but decided to move back home to be with family and friends. I haven’t settled in Ireland and I’m thinking of coming back, but I’m concerned that I won’t be able to do so, and that my green card will be of no use to me. Is this so? Is there anything I can do?”

THE best thing for you to do is apply for what’s known as a returning resident status, which necessitates the issuance of an SB-1 visa. Such documents can be issued to qualified applicants seeking to return to the U.S. after a prolonged period abroad, but they are by no means easy to obtain.

SB-1 visas are issued to those who can prove all of the following – lawful permanent residency at the time of departure from the U.S.; an intent to return to the U.S. at the time of departure and throughout the stay abroad; the trip abroad was prolonged due to reasons beyond the applicant’s control.

The second and third requirements are obviously not going to be easy for you to meet, unless you’ve maintained ties with the U.S. during your time away – i.e., financial accounts, a lease on a home, compliance with U.S. income tax law, etc. Such evidence will be required in order for the SB-1 visa to be approved.

You should apply for the SB-1 several weeks before you intend to return to the U.S., and collect as much proof as possible asserting your claim that your green card should remain valid.

Again, all those with permanent resident status intending to leave the U.S. “for good,” should realize that these plans don’t always work out as desired, and that there are simple steps that can be taken to preserve status in the event that a return to the U.S. is required.

This week’s questioner could have applied for an I-131 re-entry permit before departure from the U.S. The permit would have allowed for an absence of up to two years, with legal status maintained for that time.

It’s a real shame that people don’t educate themselves more about ways to maintain a green card once it’s been issued. As we’ve said before, it’s one of the most coveted documents in the world, and needs to be safeguarded as a top priority.

Summer Plans

THE U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) recently issued a travel advisory for those contemplating a trip abroad during the summer months. The advisory singled out those who are currently in the process of applying for adjustment of status – in other words, converting from non-immigrant classification to permanent resident (green card) status.

Those with pending adjustment cases must file for advance parole using the Form I-131 USCIS document prior to departure. Leaving the U.S. without the document could automatically terminate the adjustment case.

Those undocumented who are currently adjusting status through marriage to a U.S. citizen would do well to just stay put in the U.S. until the case has been completed. Even with an advance parole document in hand, the bans to U.S. re-entry that await the undocumented – 10 years for those who have been here illegally for a year or more – could still kick in, and obviously cause unwanted hassle.

And, let’s face it, there will be plenty of time to travel after the green card is issued, so enjoy the summer in the U.S.!

For more information, go to www.uscis.gov.