Do Permanent Residents Lose Their Status If They Leave the United States?

Once Permanent Residents receive their Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card) they will have most of the same rights as U.S. citizens and will be eligible to live and work in the United States without having to apply for employment authorisation. But do Permanent Residents lose their status if they leave the United States?

International Travel is Permitted With Conditions

Permanent Residents who wish to travel abroad for business or for pleasure can do so without worrying about losing their status, provided they are not gone for more than 12 months. The exception is for those who are in possession of a Re-entry Permit, which authorises longer international travel.

Those who must be abroad for longer than 12 months for work purposes (such as military personnel and their dependents) do not need to obtain a Re-entry Permit before they leave, but can be gone for as long as their overseas assignment lasts.

Moving Abroad Permanently

Permanent Residents who chose to move abroad permanently (either back to their home countries or to another country) will lose their status and will need to return their Permanent Resident Card, as the card is intended for those who choose to make the United States their permanent home.

Qualifying for a Returning Resident Visa

If you plan to return to the United States to live as a Permanent Resident, you may qualify for returning resident status by applying for a Returning Resident visa. Permanent Residents who apply for a Returning Resident visa will need to provide satisfactory proof to a Consular officer that they had the status of a Lawful Permanent Resident before leaving the United States and that they departed the country with the intention of returning.

Those who left with the intention of only being gone for a short time, but ended up staying outside the United States for longer than 12 months, must also prove that the reason for their absence was due to circumstances that were beyond their control.

Each person's circumstances are different, which means no two cases are alike. Permanent Residents are entitled to travel abroad for leisure or business. If they intend to be gone for longer than 12 months, they will need to apply for a Re-entry Permit, unless they are exempt from doing so. Those who move abroad permanently will lose their Permanent Resident Card. If you choose to return to the United States, you may be entitled to apply for a Returning Resident visa.

Source: U.S. Department of State, Returning Resident Visas.