julymermaid

Hello,

We've been in LA for about three years on an L1A visa now and DH's company had started our green card process as soon as we arrived. I understand its in the final stages and will likely come through in 5-6 months time tops.
We do not intend to be in US long term and are infact planning our move back to UK as I write this. Our reasons for applying for a green card were mostly centered around our ability to look for jobs independently and perceived benefits to kids in terms of higher education choices in USA in the future. Not to mention the obvious credit ratings benefits ! Also DH's company is headquartered in the US and we travel to America every year regardless which addresses the need of yearly stampings etc.

We've had multiple people suggest that its probably not worth waiting around for the green card to come through and the reasons stated are -
1. Its an administrative hassle
2. Something about double taxation (?)
3. No material benefits to kids' education etc in the future

I'd appreciate any advice on this subject as our move back to UK is dependent, in terms of timelines, on whether we need to wait for this to come through.

Many Thanks in advance !

Noorah101

If you aren't planning to live in the USA, there's no point in obtaining a green card.

By not making the U.S. your permanent home, you will effectively be abandoning your US PR status.

Rene

Nutmegger

Olly_

Indeed, you can't get a green card and use it for visits.

julymermaid

Thank you so much. We were not intending to use it for 'visits' as such (The ESTA is quick and efficient!) but more for the flexibility of applying for jobs directly in the US in future if the right opportunity should present itself. In which case, it would be better to arrive with a residence status than start from scratch on everything as we had to do when we first came here.
Also, please can you let me know for the impact on higher studies in the US - with or without the green card ?

Nutmegger

As has been pointed out -- you can't be a permanent resident and not live in the US.

Olly_

You'll be starting from zero again if you return to the UK so it's irrelevant. The moment that you leave, you've abandoned your permanent residency.

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/aft...nent-residence

TexanScot

Which benefits are those?

I'm not aware that your immigration status has any bearing on your credit rating.

Hotscot

Nope. It doesn't
But your credit rating will plummet drop if you don't spend here. With a U.S. account.

julymermaid

We were told as much by our bank and a mortgage advisor at some point last year when we were evaluating buying a house.

julymermaid

Thank you so much for sharing this.

julymermaid

Yes that's a good point

Hotscot

Just a tip. Since you mentioned potentially applying for jobs in the future.

If, say, you were targeting the Bay Area for example, you can pay for a virtual address and phone service, @$50 per month, that would make it look like you are based here.
Some companies filter out applications based on geography.

The need for a visa would be another issue so it would come out in the wash at some point.

julymermaid

That's great advice and definitely worth considering ... thank you so very much. Bay Area is exactly where we would be looking to return to in terms of job opportunities. That or the East coast around New York. DH's company is headquartered in America and chances are quite high that we may have to return again at some point in the future. I'm also conscious of the fact that we may return to England and wonder why we ever did because things change with time and we do too ... the uncertainties are daunting at the moment!

petitefrancaise

yes, you are correct.
The services that you can/can't get are related to the visa you have. Of course, they take into account your immigration status (and the length of the visa) when giving out loans/credit cards etc.
In terms of higher education, without a non-immigrant visa (L1) or a green card, you will be assessed as international students.