Green Card use
May 7th 2011, 8:52 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 33
Green Card use
K1 visa issued and married to USC a year ago, left using advanced parole document in order to undergo surgery in UK last Sept out for 6 weeks. Full Green Card issue 1 Dec 10 for 2 years. so left again end of march for 6weeks for follow up surgery.
1.Does the clock start for time spent in usa on the start of the GC? or is it from 1st January each year.
2.how do they calculate time spent is usa because I have properties to sell in uk with complex issues involved and will have to return to complete stuff.
3.First year as a PR is proving difficult with health/property matters in UK and I maybe will spend 7 months plus in US. will that comply with their requirements.
4.Upon returning soon for first time with GC in hand, where to go.. US Resident channel with GC and passport, any forms to fill in.
Thanks, any general advice appreciated.
1.Does the clock start for time spent in usa on the start of the GC? or is it from 1st January each year.
2.how do they calculate time spent is usa because I have properties to sell in uk with complex issues involved and will have to return to complete stuff.
3.First year as a PR is proving difficult with health/property matters in UK and I maybe will spend 7 months plus in US. will that comply with their requirements.
4.Upon returning soon for first time with GC in hand, where to go.. US Resident channel with GC and passport, any forms to fill in.
Thanks, any general advice appreciated.
May 7th 2011, 10:41 pm
#2
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Green Card use
The clock for your time out of the country starts and ends with each trip; when you are a PR, you need to look at the time spent out in any one trip.
When it comes to naturalization, you look at the sum total.
How do they calculate? Days you are in the US count as 'in'. Days you are 'out' count as 'out'.
Your primary residence should be in the US and you should be doing certain activities consistent with a person who actually lives in the US. My DH spent several months out of the US in his first year as a PR, but our main home was in the US and he was not out for 6+months in any one trip.
Which line to use on your return will depend on the airport, and how it is set up on the day you return. go to the Resident or Permanent Resident line with your GC, passport and Customs declaration.
The documents linked at the bottom of this page will be helpful to you: http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Immigr..._.26_Documents
When it comes to naturalization, you look at the sum total.
How do they calculate? Days you are in the US count as 'in'. Days you are 'out' count as 'out'.
Your primary residence should be in the US and you should be doing certain activities consistent with a person who actually lives in the US. My DH spent several months out of the US in his first year as a PR, but our main home was in the US and he was not out for 6+months in any one trip.
Which line to use on your return will depend on the airport, and how it is set up on the day you return. go to the Resident or Permanent Resident line with your GC, passport and Customs declaration.
The documents linked at the bottom of this page will be helpful to you: http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Immigr..._.26_Documents
May 7th 2011, 10:42 pm
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
Re: Green Card use
The "clock" starts from the "Resident Since" date on your green card.
Time spent in the US is the amount of time that are actually physically present in the US.
Being in the US for 7 months during your first year of permanent residence and being away for 5 months spread over two or three separate trips should not in and of itself present any problem.
Usually you go through the US citizen line when entering the US with your green card - it may vary at some airports - no forms to fill out other than the customs declaration.
Time spent in the US is the amount of time that are actually physically present in the US.
Being in the US for 7 months during your first year of permanent residence and being away for 5 months spread over two or three separate trips should not in and of itself present any problem.
Usually you go through the US citizen line when entering the US with your green card - it may vary at some airports - no forms to fill out other than the customs declaration.
