Stay outside US with approved GC

[sp_0826]

Appreciate your insights into this:

My wife got her GC approved in March 2012 and she traveled out of US in May and initially planned to return back in August (planned duration was 3.5 months). Due to some personal reasons, she is looking to extend her stay.

I know that it's not advisable of long stays outside US after GC is approved in order to avoid problems later or at POE.

Do we have any options or work around to extend her stay and also avoid any future problems?

Appreciate your inputs on this

[JoeF]

She can stay abroad up to one year if the trip is temporary in nature. That is the important thing, the trip abroad has to be temporary.

[pontevecchio]

If she returns within 6 months then fine. If something else talk to a Lawyer now and I mean now. What is your status?

[pontevecchio]

If a person with the GC stays abroad less than 6 months and returns she is fine. If she stays abroad more than 6 months and less than one year she will have a rebuttable presumption of having lost her PR. A stay more than one year with no Reentry permit means the PR is lost. Talk to your Lawyer already.

[sp_0826]

//If she returns within 6 months then fine. If something else talk to a Lawyer now and I mean now. What is your status? //

We both have approved GCs. Mine was approved in October 2011 and hers March 2012. The nature of the trip is temporary and our intention is to continue living here in US. Due to some health concerns in her family, she is thinking of extending her stay beyond the planned 3.5 months stay.

[pontevecchio]

As I said try not to stay beyond 6 months without talking to a Lawyer.