Green Card Abandonment: How to Protect Your Permanent Resident Status While Traveling

Every year, millions of green card holders travel internationally for work, family, education, or emergencies. But many don’t realize that extended time outside the United States can put their permanent resident status at risk. If Customs and Border Protection (CBP) determines you abandoned your intent to live permanently in the U.S., you could be asked to surrender your green card—even if it hasn’t expired.

Quick Answer: Green card abandonment happens when CBP or an immigration judge determines you no longer intend to make the United States your permanent home. Understanding green card abandonment helps you protect your permanent resident status. There are three critical time thresholds to understand: Trips under 6 months are generally safe. Trips lasting 6 to 12 months trigger intensive CBP questioning because you’re considered “seeking admission” under immigration law—you can overcome their concerns by presenting evidence of your U.S. ties. Trips of 12 months or longer create a strong presumption of abandonment unless you have a reentry permit. The key is demonstrating your intent to maintain U.S. residence through evidence like maintained property, filed taxes, kept employment, and family ties in the United States.

For a comprehensive overview of how green card abandonment rules fit into the broader context of travel limits, continuous residence, and citizenship planning, see our complete guide to green card travel, continuous residence, and physical presence.

This guide explains what triggers green card abandonment, how to prove you didn’t abandon your status, protective strategies like reentry permits, what happens at the border, and your options if CBP questions you about potential green card abandonment.

What Is Green Card Abandonment?

Green card abandonment refers to losing your lawful permanent resident (LPR) status because Customs and Border Protection or an immigration judge determines you no longer intend to make the United States your permanent home. Under INA 101(a)(13)(C), a lawful permanent resident is considered to be seeking admission (and therefore subject to grounds of inadmissibility) if they’ve been absent from the U.S. for a continuous period of more than 180 days, among other factors.

There are two types of abandonment:

Voluntary abandonment occurs when you intentionally give up your permanent resident status by filing Form I-407 (Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status) with USCIS or a U.S. consulate. People sometimes choose to abandon their green cards if they’ve permanently moved abroad, want to avoid U.S. tax obligations, or no longer need permanent residence.

Involuntary abandonment happens when CBP officers at a port of entry or an immigration judge determines you abandoned your status through your actions—such as extended absences, moving your family abroad, or failing to maintain U.S. ties. This is the type of green card abandonment most travelers worry about, because it can happen unexpectedly when you try to reenter the United States.

The determination of green card abandonment is made by CBP officers when you seek to reenter the U.S., or by an immigration judge if your case goes to removal proceedings. At the port of entry, you should be prepared to present strong evidence that you didn’t abandon your status, because CBP can treat you as an applicant for admission and question you closely. However, if you refuse to sign Form I-407 and are placed in removal proceedings before an immigration judge, the burden shifts to the government to prove abandonment by clear, unequivocal, and convincing evidence—a much higher standard that makes it harder for the government to take away your status.

The Three Critical Time Thresholds

Understanding the time thresholds for travel outside the United States is essential for protecting your permanent resident status. The rules create three distinct risk levels based on how long you’re absent.

Under 6 Months (180 Days): Low Risk

Trips lasting less than 6 months generally don’t raise significant green card abandonment concerns, though CBP officers have discretion to question anyone about their ties to the United States. Even trips under 6 months can trigger questions if combined with other abandonment factors (like selling your U.S. home, terminating employment, or moving your family abroad).

However, absences under 6 months are much safer than longer trips. USCIS policy notes that the general guide for permanent residence concerns is whether you’ve been absent for more than a year, meaning shorter trips typically don’t create abandonment issues if you maintain your intent to live in the United States.

Important: Even if each individual trip is under 6 months, a pattern of frequent short trips where you spend most of your time abroad can raise questions about whether the United States is truly your “principal actual dwelling place.” USCIS looks at your overall pattern of residence, not just individual trip lengths. If you’re effectively living abroad and only visiting the U.S. for a few weeks at a time, you may face questions about both continuous residence (for naturalization) and whether you really kept the U.S. as your permanent home.

For naturalization purposes, trips under 6 months don’t create a presumption of breaking continuous residence, though they do count against your physical presence requirement. You need to be physically present in the United States for at least 913 days during the 5-year period before filing Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization).

6 to 12 Months: Intensive CBP Scrutiny

Trips lasting 6 to 12 months trigger intensive CBP questioning about whether you abandoned your permanent resident status. Under INA 101(a)(13)(C), absences over 180 days (6 months) make you subject to “seeking admission” status, which means CBP treats you similarly to someone applying for a green card and can examine your intent closely. You can overcome their concerns by presenting evidence that your absence was temporary and you maintained your intent to live permanently in the United States.

When you return after an absence of 6 to 12 months, CBP officers will likely ask detailed questions about:

• Why you were outside the United States for so long
• Whether you maintained a U.S. residence (home, apartment, or other dwelling)
• Whether you kept employment in the U.S. or have a job waiting for you
• Whether your family (spouse, children, parents) lives in the United States
• Whether you filed U.S. tax returns as a resident
• When you plan to return permanently to the U.S.

If you can demonstrate strong U.S. ties and a valid reason for your extended absence (employment contract, medical treatment, caring for ill family member, completing education abroad), most CBP officers will allow you to reenter without issues.

For naturalization purposes, absences of 6 months or longer create a rebuttable presumption that you broke continuous residence. This doesn’t affect your green card status, but it can delay your citizenship timeline. Learn more in our guide to continuous residence vs. green card status.

Over 12 Months: Strong Presumption of Green Card Abandonment

Trips of 12 months or longer create a strong presumption of green card abandonment—that you abandoned your permanent resident status. Without a valid reentry permit (Form I-131), your green card may not be accepted for reentry to the United States.

Under 8 CFR 211.1, a permanent resident card is valid for reentry only after absences of less than 1 year. This regulatory requirement, combined with case law and CBP practice, creates a strong presumption of abandonment for trips of 12 months or longer unless you obtained a reentry permit before departing.

Note for Conditional Green Card Holders: If you hold a 2-year conditional green card (CR-1 or IR-1 based on marriage or investment), you face the same abandonment risks as permanent green card holders—but with additional complications. Extended travel can interfere with your Form I-751 filing timeline and interview requirements, potentially putting both your green card status AND your ability to remove conditions at risk. Learn more in our travel rules guide for conditional green card holders.

If you stayed abroad for more than 12 months without a reentry permit:

• Under 8 CFR 211.1(a)(2), your green card is no longer a valid travel document for returning to the U.S. after absences of 12+ months, though CBP guidance to carriers and actual practice vary. Some airlines may refuse to board you based on the regulation. Even if you manage to board, you should expect intensive CBP questioning and potential abandonment proceedings at the port of entry.
• CBP officers may refuse your entry and ask you to apply for an SB-1 returning resident visa
• You may be asked to voluntarily surrender your green card by signing Form I-407 (acknowledging green card abandonment)
• You could be placed in removal proceedings if you refuse to sign Form I-407 and cannot prove you didn’t abandon your status

The presumption is rebuttable—you can still attempt to prove your absence was temporary and beyond your control—but it’s difficult. Most people who stay abroad more than 12 months without a reentry permit need to apply for an SB-1 returning resident visa from a U.S. consulate abroad, which has a low approval rate.

For naturalization purposes, absences of 12 months or longer automatically break continuous residence unless you had an approved Form N-470 (Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes). If you broke continuous residence, you can file Form N-400 as early as 4 years and 1 day after your return to the United States (or 2 years and 1 day for the 3-year spousal rule). The safer approach is to wait 4 years and 6 months (or 2 years and 6 months for the spousal rule) so that no single trip of 6+ months falls within your new statutory period.

What Triggers Green Card Abandonment?

Green card abandonment isn’t determined solely by how long you’re outside the United States. CBP officers and immigration judges consider multiple factors to assess whether you intended to maintain the U.S. as your permanent home. Understanding these triggers helps you avoid actions that could jeopardize your status.

Length of absence is the primary green card abandonment trigger. As explained above, absences of 6 to 12 months lead to intensive CBP scrutiny and, for naturalization, create a rebuttable presumption that you broke continuous residence. Absences of 12 months or longer create a strong practical presumption of green card abandonment unless you obtained a reentry permit before departing. However, even shorter absences can be problematic if combined with other factors.

Intent to live abroad permanently is evaluated through your actions. If you moved your entire family abroad, purchased a home in another country with no plans to return, accepted a permanent employment position overseas, or told people you’re moving abroad permanently, these actions suggest abandonment—even if your trips are under 6 months each.

Failure to file U.S. taxes or, worse, filing Form 1040-NR (Nonresident Alien Tax Return) instead of Form 1040 (U.S. Resident Tax Return) is strong evidence of green card abandonment. When you declare yourself a non-resident for tax purposes, you’re essentially admitting you don’t consider the United States your permanent home. Always file as a U.S. resident if you want to maintain your green card.

Disposing of U.S. property such as selling your home, terminating your lease, closing bank accounts, or shipping all your belongings abroad signals you don’t intend to return to the United States. While you don’t need to own property to maintain your green card, getting rid of all U.S. ties raises red flags.

Long-term employment abroad, especially in a management or executive role that clearly requires permanent relocation, can indicate abandonment. However, temporary work assignments, expat postings with U.S. companies, or remote work for U.S. employers are less likely to trigger concerns if you maintain U.S. ties.

Voting in foreign elections or running for political office in another country can be evidence of green card abandonment. Some countries allow dual citizens to vote without affecting their U.S. permanent residence, but actively participating in foreign political processes suggests you consider that country your permanent home.

Family ties matter significantly. If your spouse, minor children, and other immediate family members all moved abroad with you and have no plans to return to the U.S., it suggests your absence isn’t temporary. Conversely, if your family remained in the United States while you worked abroad temporarily, it’s strong evidence you plan to return.

CBP officers and immigration judges weigh these factors together, not in isolation. One factor alone (like working abroad) doesn’t necessarily mean green card abandonment, but multiple factors combined (working abroad + sold home + moved family + declared non-resident for taxes) create a strong case for green card abandonment.

How to Prove You Didn’t Abandon Your Status

If CBP questions whether you committed green card abandonment, you’ll need to present evidence demonstrating you maintained strong ties to the United States and your absence was temporary. The burden of proof is on you, so prepare documentation before you travel.

U.S. residence evidence shows you maintained a home in the United States:

• Mortgage statements or property tax bills in your name
• Current lease agreement for an apartment or house
• Utility bills (electricity, water, internet) in your name showing continuous service
• Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies
• Evidence you paid rent or mortgage while abroad

You don’t need to own property, but you should show you kept a place to live in the U.S. that’s available for you to return to.

U.S. employment evidence demonstrates your job ties to America:

• Letter from your employer stating you’re on leave of absence with a guaranteed return date
• Employment contract showing your position is based in the United States
• Evidence of remote work for a U.S. company while abroad
• Paystubs showing U.S. income and tax withholding
• Proof that you didn’t resign or terminate employment before departing

If you left your job to work abroad, bring documentation showing the foreign employment was temporary (fixed-term contract, assignment letter with end date).

Family ties in the United States are powerful evidence of intent to return:

• Spouse, children, or parents living in the U.S. (birth certificates, marriage certificate)
• Evidence of children’s school enrollment in the United States
• Medical records showing ongoing care in the U.S.
• Evidence of aging parents you support or care for in America

The more family members who remained in the U.S., the stronger your case.

U.S. tax filings prove you consider America your tax home:

• Form 1040 (U.S. Resident Tax Return) for all years you were abroad
• State tax returns filed in your U.S. state of residence
• Evidence you reported worldwide income to the IRS, not just U.S.-source income
• NEVER file Form 1040-NR (Nonresident Alien Tax Return)—this is evidence of abandonment

Bank accounts and financial ties show ongoing U.S. financial activity:

• U.S. bank account statements showing regular activity (not dormant)
• U.S. credit card statements
• Investment accounts, retirement accounts (401(k), IRA) maintained in the U.S.
• Evidence of paying U.S. bills (mortgage, loans, subscriptions) while abroad

Reason for absence with supporting documentation:

• Employment contract requiring temporary overseas work
• Medical records if you or a family member needed treatment abroad
• University enrollment documents if pursuing education
• Death certificate or medical records if caring for an ill family member
• Evidence of emergency circumstances that required extended stay

Evidence of intent to return:

• Return plane ticket purchased before you left the U.S.
• Evidence you kept belongings in your U.S. home (furniture, personal items)
• Emails or documents showing you planned to return
• Evidence you maintained memberships (gym, professional organizations, social clubs)

Organize this evidence in a folder before traveling. If CBP questions you, present documents calmly and explain your situation clearly. The more categories of evidence you can provide, the stronger your case.

Protective Strategies to Avoid Green Card Abandonment

Rather than waiting to defend your status at the border, proactive strategies can prevent green card abandonment issues entirely. These approaches show CBP and USCIS that you take your permanent residence seriously.

Strategy 1: Get a Reentry Permit (Form I-131)

A reentry permit is the strongest protection against green card abandonment for extended travel. It allows you to stay outside the United States for up to 2 years without your green card being automatically invalid as a travel document (which normally happens after 12 months). It’s strong evidence that you intended to maintain U.S. residence, but CBP can still examine your overall pattern of travel and ties when determining whether you abandoned your status.

When to apply for a reentry permit:

• You know in advance you’ll be outside the U.S. for 12 months or longer
• You have work assignments requiring 12 to 24 months abroad
• You need to care for an ill family member abroad for an extended period
• You’re pursuing education abroad that requires more than 12 months
• You want to travel extensively without CBP questioning

Application process:

1. You must be physically present in the United States when you file Form I-131
2. You must file by mail (online filing is not available for reentry permits)
3. Processing typically takes 8 to 12 months on average (as of 2025), though times vary by USCIS service center. Processing times can vary significantly—some service centers are currently processing I-131 travel documents in over a year. Always check the latest USCIS processing time tool when planning your application.
4. The filing fee is $630 (as of 2025), which includes biometrics services
5. You’ll need to attend a biometrics appointment at a local USCIS office
6. Once approved, your reentry permit is mailed to you or to a U.S. embassy abroad

Validity and limitations:

• Reentry permits are valid for 2 years from the date of issuance
• You cannot renew a reentry permit while outside the U.S.—you must return to file
• A reentry permit doesn’t guarantee you won’t face abandonment questions, but it’s strong evidence of your intent
• Time spent abroad with a reentry permit still counts toward breaking continuous residence for naturalization purposes

Learn more in our comprehensive guide to Form I-131 reentry permits.

Strategy 2: Maintain Strong U.S. Ties

Even without a reentry permit, you can protect your status by actively maintaining ties to the United States:

Keep your primary residence in the U.S.: Don’t sell your home or terminate your lease before you leave. If you own property, continue paying your mortgage and property taxes. If you rent, keep your apartment or arrange for a family member to stay there.

File U.S. taxes annually as a resident: File Form 1040 every year reporting your worldwide income. File state taxes in your U.S. state of residence. Meet all filing deadlines even while abroad. Never declare yourself a non-resident for tax purposes.

Return to the U.S. frequently: If possible, return to the United States every 6 months or less, even for short visits. This shows you consider the U.S. your home base, not just a country you visit occasionally.

Document all trips carefully: Keep records of every entry and exit from the United States. Save boarding passes, passport stamps, and entry/exit records. Note the reason for each trip. This documentation helps you track your time abroad and proves you’re monitoring your status. Consider using an app like Green Card Trips to track your trips and receive alerts if you’re approaching risky absence thresholds.

Strategy 3: Naturalize Before Extended Travel

The most permanent solution to green card abandonment concerns is to become a U.S. citizen before you need to travel extensively. Once you naturalize, you can travel freely without any risk of green card abandonment—U.S. citizenship cannot be abandoned through travel.

Timeline to naturalization:

• You need 5 years as a lawful permanent resident (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen)
• You must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least 913 days during that period
• You must not have broken continuous residence with trips of 12 months or longer
• You can file Form N-400 up to 90 days before your eligibility date

If you know you’ll need to work abroad, travel extensively for family reasons, or pursue opportunities overseas, plan your naturalization timeline carefully. Becoming a citizen eliminates abandonment risk permanently.

For a detailed timeline of when you can apply for citizenship based on your green card date and travel history, see our N-400 eligibility timeline calculator.

What Happens at the U.S. Border

Understanding what to expect when reentering the United States after an extended absence helps you prepare and avoid panic if CBP questions you about potential green card abandonment.

CBP questioning procedures vary based on how long you were outside the U.S.:

If your trip was under 6 months, you’ll likely proceed through the normal returning resident line without additional questions. However, if you’ve had multiple long trips recently or your passport shows extensive foreign travel, CBP may pull you aside for secondary inspection.

If your trip was 6 to 12 months, expect detailed questions about why you were abroad, where you lived, whether you maintained U.S. ties, and when you’re returning permanently. Officers may ask to see evidence: lease or mortgage documents, tax returns, employer letter, or proof of family in the U.S.

If your trip was over 12 months, you may be referred to secondary inspection automatically, where an officer will conduct an in-depth interview about your absence and your intent regarding permanent residence.

Secondary inspection is a separate room where CBP officers can examine your documents more carefully and ask detailed questions. Being sent to secondary inspection doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong—it’s a routine process when there are questions about admissibility.

During secondary inspection:

• Officers may ask where you were, why you were gone so long, where you worked or studied, whether you sold property or closed accounts in the U.S., what ties you maintained to America, and when you’re returning permanently
• Answer truthfully and calmly—lying to a federal officer is a serious crime
• Present your evidence of U.S. ties without being defensive
• Explain your reason for extended absence (work contract, family emergency, medical treatment)
• Don’t volunteer information that hurts your case (like mentioning you sold your home)

Form I-407 presentation is the most critical moment. If the CBP officer believes you abandoned your permanent resident status, they may present you with Form I-407 (Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status) and ask you to sign it.

IMPORTANT: Signing Form I-407 is VOLUNTARY. You have the absolute right to refuse. Once you sign, you immediately and permanently surrender your green card—there is no appeal or reversal process.

If asked to sign Form I-407:

1. Politely refuse to sign. Say: “I’d like to consult with an immigration attorney before making any decisions about my permanent residence.”
2. Request deferred inspection. Ask to schedule a deferred inspection appointment, which gives you time to gather more evidence and speak with a lawyer.
3. Do not sign under pressure. CBP officers may tell you that you have to sign or that it will be easier if you sign—this is not true. You have the right to refuse.
4. Document everything. Write down the officer’s name, the time and date, what they said, and what documents they reviewed.

Deferred inspection allows you to leave the port of entry with your green card and return to a CBP office with additional evidence within a set timeframe (usually 30 to 60 days). This gives you time to:

• Consult with an immigration attorney who can advise on your specific case
• Gather additional documentation of U.S. ties you didn’t bring with you
• Prepare a detailed statement explaining your absence and intent
• Explore whether you qualify for any exceptions or waivers

Appeal options if entry is denied:

If CBP refuses to admit you as a returning resident and you refuse to sign Form I-407, you may be placed in removal proceedings before an immigration judge. This actually gives you more rights than signing Form I-407:

• You can present evidence to the judge that you didn’t abandon your status
• You can be represented by an immigration attorney
• The government has the burden to prove you’re removable
• You can appeal an unfavorable decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals

While removal proceedings are stressful and expensive, they give you a chance to fight for your green card that you don’t have if you voluntarily sign it away.

SB-1 Returning Resident Visa (Last Resort)

If you stayed outside the United States for more than 12 months without a valid reentry permit, and your green card is no longer valid for reentry, you may need to apply for an SB-1 returning resident visa from a U.S. consulate abroad.

When you need an SB-1 visa:

• You were outside the U.S. for more than 12 months without a reentry permit
• Your absence was due to reasons beyond your control (medical emergency, family crisis, employer delayed your return)
• You maintained ties to the United States during your absence
• You always intended to return to the U.S. as your permanent home
• Airlines won’t let you board because your trip exceeded 12 months

Application process happens at the U.S. consulate or embassy in the country where you’re currently located:

1. Complete Form DS-117 (Application to Determine Returning Resident Status)
2. Gather extensive evidence of your U.S. ties and reason for extended absence
3. Schedule an interview appointment at the U.S. consulate
4. Pay filing fees totaling $385 ($180 for DS-117 plus $205 for the visa application, as of 2025), plus medical examination costs
5. Attend the interview and present your case to a consular officer

Required evidence for SB-1 approval:

• Proof your absence was beyond your control: medical records, death certificate of family member, employer letter explaining delayed return, documentation of emergency circumstances
• Evidence of maintained U.S. ties: mortgage or lease showing you kept U.S. residence, U.S. tax returns filed as resident, bank statements showing U.S. accounts remained active, evidence family remained in U.S.
• Proof you always intended to return: return ticket purchased before emergency occurred, emails showing you tried to return sooner, evidence you didn’t establish permanent residence abroad

Approval rates and challenges:

SB-1 visas are difficult to obtain. Consular officers scrutinize applications carefully, and most are denied. According to immigration attorneys, approval rates vary significantly by consulate but are generally low.

Common reasons for SB-1 denial:

• Insufficient evidence the delay was beyond your control
• Weak proof of maintained U.S. ties
• Evidence you established permanent residence abroad
• Inability to show you always intended to return to the U.S.

If your SB-1 application is denied, you have limited options:

• You can reapply for a new green card through family sponsorship or employment (if you qualify)
• You may qualify for a nonimmigrant visa (B-2, F-1, H-1B) if you have a specific purpose to visit the U.S.
• You can attempt to reenter with your expired green card and argue your case to CBP (risky—may lead to removal proceedings)

The best strategy is prevention: If you know in advance you’ll be abroad more than 12 months, apply for a reentry permit (Form I-131) BEFORE you leave the United States. Reentry permits are nearly always approved, cost less than SB-1 visas, and allow up to 2 years abroad. Don’t wait until you’re stuck abroad without options.

For a detailed comparison of when to use I-131 versus SB-1, see our guide to I-131 vs. SB-1 vs. N-470.

Special Circumstances and Exceptions

Certain situations may excuse extended absences or provide protections against green card abandonment. Understanding these exceptions can help you plan if you face unique circumstances.

Medical emergencies abroad can justify absences beyond 12 months if properly documented:

• Hospital records showing serious illness or injury requiring extended treatment
• Doctor’s letters explaining why you couldn’t return to the U.S. sooner
• Evidence you sought treatment in the U.S. first but it wasn’t available
• Proof you returned to the United States as soon as medically cleared to travel

Bring complete medical documentation if this applies to your situation.

COVID-19 pandemic delays created special challenges for permanent residents abroad:

• Many were unable to return due to flight cancellations, border closures, or health concerns
• USCIS and CBP showed leniency for pandemic-related delays during 2020 to 2022
• If your absence was extended due to COVID-19, document: travel restrictions in effect at the time, flight cancellations or border closures, health concerns that prevented travel, attempts you made to return sooner

While formal pandemic exemptions have mostly ended, CBP officers still consider COVID-related delays as mitigating factors when evaluating green card abandonment.

Natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, floods) that prevented your return:

• Documentation of the disaster (news articles, government warnings)
• Evidence you were in the affected area when it occurred
• Proof of damage to your property or harm to your family
• Flight cancellations or border closures resulting from the disaster

Family emergencies requiring extended care of ill relatives:

• Medical records of the family member who needed care
• Doctor’s statement that you were needed as caregiver
• Evidence you couldn’t arrange alternative care
• Proof you returned to the U.S. once the emergency resolved

Government service abroad can preserve your continuous residence for naturalization through Form N-470 (Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes):

• Employment with the U.S. government or certain international organizations
• Employment with a U.S. research institution
• Employment with a U.S. company or subsidiary engaged in foreign trade
• Religious missionary work for a U.S.-based denomination

Form N-470 preserves continuous residence only for naturalization eligibility; it does not by itself prevent CBP from questioning or alleging abandonment of your permanent resident status if you don’t maintain adequate U.S. ties. The form prevents qualifying foreign employment from breaking continuous residence for naturalization purposes, but you still need to demonstrate your intent to keep the United States as your permanent home. You must apply before you’ve been abroad for 12 months.

To understand how all these abandonment protection strategies fit together with travel time limits, continuous residence, reentry permits, and citizenship planning, review our complete green card travel guide.

Track Your Travel with Green Card Trips

Protecting your green card status starts with understanding exactly how much time you’ve spent outside the United States. Many permanent residents underestimate their absences or lose track of individual trips, putting their status at risk without realizing it.

Green Card Trips helps you track your trips, calculate your physical presence automatically for citizenship, and receive alerts before you approach risky thresholds. Available for iPhone as a one-time purchase with no subscription required.

How the app protects your permanent residence:

• Track every trip by logging your departure and return dates
• Automatic calculation of your longest absence (to avoid the 6-month and 12-month thresholds)
• Alerts when you’re approaching risky absence periods
• Physical presence calculation for Form N-400 citizenship applications
• Timeline showing when you can safely file for naturalization

Download from the App Store to start protecting your status today.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about green card abandonment and is not legal advice. Green card abandonment is a complex area of immigration law, and individual circumstances vary. For advice about your specific situation, especially if you’re facing abandonment concerns or have been outside the U.S. for an extended period, consult a qualified immigration attorney.