If you have got your U.S. Green Card, then congrats! You can now live and work inside the U.S. permanently. However, to keep your green card, you must show your intent to reside in the U.S. rather than other countries. Otherwise, you may lose your status of permanent residence.
This article lets you know the minimum length of stay you must reach to keep your U.S. green card.
Related articles:
- How to Get a U.S. Green Card
- What is Form I-551
- What are the Green Card Interview Questions?
How long do I need to stay in the U.S. to get a green card?
The prerequisites for applying for a U.S. green card (i.e., Adjustment of Status) do not include a specific residence period. However, most immigrants (except the immediate relatives of U.S. citizens) must wait until their priority date appears on the Visa Bulletin released by the Department of State, which indicates when the beneficiary of an immigrant petition can apply for a green card.
What is the minimum number of days per year a green card holder must stay in the U.S.?
The USCIS did not specify the minimum number of days per year a green card holder must stay in the country. Nevertheless, the cardholders must show their intent to reside in the U.S. permanently.
Otherwise, it may be considered an abandonment of a permanent resident status if the cardholder is found to live abroad most of the time. In such a case, an immigration judge may issue a final removal order according to 8 U.S.C. §1182 and §1227.
How long can I stay abroad per year with a U.S. green card?
In general, you can stay abroad for up to 1 year with a U.S. green card. You can refer to the following table for detailed information:
| Staying Period | Required Document | How to Apply |
| Less than 1 year | (none) | (none) |
| More than 1 year and less than 2 years | Re-Entry Permit | Submit Form I-131 before leaving the U.S. |
| More than 2 years | Returning Resident Visa (SB-1) | Go to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate |
However, excessive foreign traveling may also be considered abandoning permanent resident status, even if the staying period does not reach 1 year. Additionally, leaving the U.S. for more than 6 months may disrupt the required continuous residency if you have applied for naturalization.
Summary
Although the U.S. law did not specify the minimum length of stay before and after obtaining a green card, those who apply for it often need to wait for years.
After becoming a U.S. permanent resident, the green card holders must show their intent to reside in the U.S. rather than in other countries. If the cardholder plans to stay abroad for more than a year, they need to apply for a re-entry permit or SB-1 visa.
When applying for your green card, you must submit two standard U.S. passport photos (2 x 2 inches). Please feel free to make perfect ID photos with eGreenCardPhoto. Our AI-based tool will automatically remove the background and crop it to the right size for you, with 100% guarantee of approval.