IMMINCARE is a d/b/a name of John Chung Law LLC. All services, including consultations, are performed by licensed U.S. attorneys at our U.S. offices.
The information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Conditions for Maintaining Your Green Card (LPR Status)
Green Card holders must continuously demonstrate their intent to reside permanently in the United States. Failure to show this intent may result in denial of re-entry or abandonment of permanent resident status.
Key Requirements:
• Re-enter the U.S. at least once every six months (if not feasible, do not exceed one year abroad).
• Maintain a valid U.S. residential address and phone number.
• Keep an active U.S. bank account.
• File annual U.S. tax returns with the IRS, even if you have no income.
Applying for Re-entry Permit (Form I-131)
A Re-entry Permit allows Green Card holders to apply for admission to the United States after an absence abroad of one year or longer. However, obtaining a Re-entry Permit does not guarantee admission. To maintain strong residency ties and demonstrate continued intent to reside permanently, it is recommended that permit holders return to the U.S. at least once per year during extended periods abroad.
The Re-entry Permit application (Form I-131) must be filed while the applicant is physically present in the U.S. After filing, USCIS will typically schedule a biometrics appointment (photo and fingerprint capture) within approximately 3–4 weeks. Therefore, applicants should not depart the U.S. immediately after filing. Once the biometrics appointment is completed, the applicant may safely leave the country. The issued Re-entry Permit can either be mailed to the applicant’s U.S. address or forwarded to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad for pickup.
Green Card Renewal (Form I-90)
A regular Green Card is valid for 10 years. Green Card holders may file Form I-90 to renew their Green Card up to 6 months (180 days) before its expiration date. Early filing is especially important if you plan to travel internationally, as an expired Green Card can complicate re-entry to the U.S., potentially impacting your ability to maintain your LPR status.
Form I-90 processing times can vary significantly, and may take up to 10–12 months, or even longer. During this period, applicants are advised to obtain an I-551 stamp via a USCIS InfoPass appointment to maintain valid proof of their LPR status.
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