For Permanent Residents of the U.S., traveling outside the country for extended periods of time without a valid reentry permit can have severe consequences when you return. While you do not need a passport to reenter if your trip lasts less than a year, journeys of between one and two years may require you to present a reentry permit, along with the passport from your country of origin. Berd & Klauss, PLLC, immigration attorneys in New York City, explain some of the risks of traveling without a permit.

If you leave the country for an extended period of time without applying for a reentry permit, it could be determined that you have abandoned your residency and could require you to obtain a returning resident visa from an embassy or consulate. However, simply having the permit does not exempt you from the standard procedures described in immigration law, including reentry inspections to determine your admissibility into the United States. Even if you obtain the permit, you may also be required to complete a secondary inspection, requiring you to answer questions in a separate room.

Moreover, if you spend more than five months of any year outside the United States, Berd & Klauss recommends obtaining a visitor visa instead of a green card. With frequent absence, the government may determine that you have abandoned your intent of residency and revoke your card.

Visit Berd & Klauss, PLLC online to see their full list of legal services, or call (212) 461-7152 to schedule a consultation today with an immigration attorney.