Overview
- Officials say there is no fixed day-count that automatically triggers abandonment, though absences beyond six months or a year commonly draw closer review.
- USCIS guidance states that visiting the United States once a year is not enough to preserve lawful permanent residence if a person’s primary home appears to be abroad.
- Case-by-case assessments weigh the reason for travel and evidence of U.S. ties such as tax filings, property or business ownership, employment, a driver’s license, and close family in the country, as well as ties maintained overseas.
- A finding of abandonment can place a resident in removal proceedings and result in loss of Green Card benefits.
- After approval, recipients receive a welcome letter and then the card, must update their address or file an e-Request for delivery issues, renew a 10-year card with Form I-90, and remove conditions on 2-year cards with Forms I-751 or I-829.