Are you afraid to leave the United States out of fear of losing your green card status? - Talk To Tulsa immigration attorney Carlos Williams about securing a reentry permit.
Having a green card is the dream of millions of hopefuls around the world. Having one allows you to live and work in thriving U.S. cities like Tulsa, an opportunity to create wealth and build a future. Nevertheless, many who get them may find themselves feeling trapped, worried that if they leave the country for an extended period of time, they may lose their status and right to return or have to go through the whole process to obtain one all over again.
This fear is genuine, however, as the green card does not allow you to leave for too long or come back easily if you do. If you are feeling trapped like that or need to leave the country for any extended period of time (such as for a new job or to take care of a sick family member), it is vital you reach out to an immigration attorney to begin the reentry permit application process as soon as possible before you travel.
In Tulsa, you can seek out the assistance of Oklahoma attorney Carlos L Williams. He has over two decades of experience dealing with all kinds of immigration law questions and procedures. He will help make sure you understand the limits of your green card, and secure the reentry permit you need to leave without losing your status or rights.
Green Cards are seen, rightly, as the ultimate objective for immigrants to the United States because, unlike many other visas and statuses, they allow you to leave and return. Not all green card holders realize, however, that if you stay too long abroad before returning to the United States, you can lose that green card and some or all of the rights that came with it.
Your time outside the US is limited to just one year, which means many university degrees, jobs, and extended family visits may be off-limits or risky to green card holders. The time period can be even shorter, and a green card removed even faster if you take up residency in another country. This can be interpreted as you abandoning your green card, which means immigration services can and will take it away.
Having to re-apply for a green card or go to court and/or convince a judge that you did not intend to abandon your green card is neither easy nor cheap, and there is no guarantee that you will succeed, even with the help of a skilled lawyer like Tulsa’s Carlos Williams. Fortunately, you may not have to do either if you obtain a reentry permit before leaving.
Whether you live in Tulsa, Oklahoma, or any corner of the country, you can apply for a special reentry permit that tells the government and immigration services that you intend to return and do not want to abandon your green card. While the government is under no obligation to give you such a permit, if you prepare your application with the help of an experienced immigration lawyer, they usually will.
If you are looking to engage in extended travel outside the U.S. or live in another country for any amount of time, a reentry permit tells the government that such a situation is temporary only, and you have every intention to return.
Getting a reentry permit extends the amount of time you are allowed to be out of the country before jeopardizing your green card to two full years. In addition, it can act as a valid travel document for many countries if you do not have a passport (or do not want to get one).
You should not, however, assume that obtaining a reentry permit is the only thing you need to do to protect your Tulsa residency and green card. If you plan to live abroad, you may need to take additional measures to prove your intent to return, as a reentry permit may not be sufficient.
In addition, reentry permits do not last forever; they need to be renewed regularly to be considered valid. Leaving the country with an expired reentry permit will provide your green card with no extra protection and might even hurt your appeal to maintain residency in the United States.
It is important that you apply for your reentry permit from within the United States; you cannot request one after you have left. If you find yourself traveling or have an offer to live abroad for a time, make sure you return to get that reentry permit first.
To obtain it, you need to fill out form I-131 and get your fingerprints taken if they have not been recorded already. While you can technically leave afterward, it is wiser to wait in Tulsa or wherever you call home in the U.S. in case there is a mistake or immigration services require more information.
Ultimately, however, if you want to minimize the possibility for error, and improve your chances of a prompt acceptance for your reentry permit, you should reach out to an experienced immigration lawyer near you.
The Law Office of Carlos L Williams | Tulsa immigration lawyer ready to help you keep your residency and green card with a reentry permit application.
Getting a United States Green Card can be immensely fulfilling and unlocks so much potential. Do not let it curtail your freedom to travel and live abroad or take care of your family. Protect your residency rights and your green card by working with an immigration lawyer to get a reentry permit.
For Green Card holders living in or near Tulsa, Oklahoma, you can stop by the Law Office Of Carlos L Williams to discuss your reentry permit options; for those further afield, a call to (918) 216-9644 or a quick online form can get you the information you need and start down the path to a reentry permit with the help of an experienced lawyer who cares.