Keep Your Immigration Status
Permanent residents who
leave the United States for extended periods, or who cannot show their intent to
live permanently in the U.S., may lose their permanent resident status. If you
think you will be out of the U.S. for more than 12 months, you should apply for
a re-entry permit before leaving the country. You should file Form I-131,
Application for a Travel Document. A re-entry permit is valid for up to 2 years
and shows that you are returning from a temporary visit abroad. You may show the
re-entry permit at a port of entry.
Form I-131 and instructions are
available at http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-131.htm or by calling the USCIS Forms Line at 1-800-870-3676. You must pay a fee to file
Form I-131.
If you are not able to return to the U.S. before your
re-entry permit expires or you did not apply for a re-entry permit before
leaving the U.S. and have been outside the U.S. for more than 12 months, you may
be able to get a special immigrant Returning Resident (SB-1) visa overseas from
the Department of State. There are special requirements for this visa. Visit http://www.state.gov or your nearest Department
of State Consular Office overseas for more information.
File Tax Returns
As a permanent resident, you must file
income tax returns and report your income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
and your state, city, or local tax department, if required. If you do not file
income tax returns while living outside of the U.S. for any length of time, or
if you say that you are a “non-immigrant” on your tax returns, the U.S.
government may decide that you have given up your permanent resident
status.
Register With the Selective
Service
If you are a man and you are 18 to 26 years old, you must
register with the Selective Service. When you register, you tell the government
that you are available to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. The United States does
not have a military draft now. Permanent residents and citizens do not have to
serve in the Armed Forces unless they want to.
You can register at a
United States post office or on the Internet. To register for Selective Service
on the Internet, visit the Selective Service website: http://www.sss.gov. To speak with someone from
the Selective Service, call 1-847-688-6888. This is not a free call.
Give Your New Address
to DHS
Every time you move, you need to tell DHS your new address.
You must file Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card. You must file this
form within 10 days of your move. There is no fee to file this form.
Send Form AR-11 to:
Department of Homeland Security
U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services
Change of Address
P.O. Box
7134
London, KY 40742-7134
Maintaining Your Permanent Resident Status
There are some things you
must do to maintain your permanent resident status. These are also important to
remember if you plan to apply for U.S. citizenship in the future.
• Don’t
leave the United States for an extended period of time or move to another
country to live there permanently.
• File federal and state income tax returns.
• Register with the Selective Service, if you are a male between the ages of
18 and 26.
• Give your new address to DHS.
Keep Your Immigration Status
Permanent residents who
leave the United States for extended periods, or who cannot show their intent to
live permanently in the U.S., may lose their permanent resident status. If you
think you will be out of the U.S. for more than 12 months, you should apply for
a re-entry permit before leaving the country. You should file Form I-131,
Application for a Travel Document. A re-entry permit is valid for up to 2 years
and shows that you are returning from a temporary visit abroad. You may show the
re-entry permit at a port of entry.
Form I-131 and instructions are
available at http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-131.htm or by calling the USCIS Forms Line at 1-800-870-3676. You must pay a fee to file
Form I-131.
If you are not able to return to the U.S. before your
re-entry permit expires or you did not apply for a re-entry permit before
leaving the U.S. and have been outside the U.S. for more than 12 months, you may
be able to get a special immigrant Returning Resident (SB-1) visa overseas from
the Department of State. There are special requirements for this visa. Visit http://www.state.gov or your nearest Department
of State Consular Office overseas for more information.
File Tax Returns
As a permanent resident, you must file
income tax returns and report your income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
and your state, city, or local tax department, if required. If you do not file
income tax returns while living outside of the U.S. for any length of time, or
if you say that you are a “non-immigrant” on your tax returns, the U.S.
government may decide that you have given up your permanent resident
status.
Register With the Selective
Service
If you are a man and you are 18 to 26 years old, you must
register with the Selective Service. When you register, you tell the government
that you are available to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. The United States does
not have a military draft now. Permanent residents and citizens do not have to
serve in the Armed Forces unless they want to.
You can register at a
United States post office or on the Internet. To register for Selective Service
on the Internet, visit the Selective Service website: http://www.sss.gov. To speak with someone from
the Selective Service, call 1-847-688-6888. This is not a free call.
Give Your New Address
to DHS
Every time you move, you need to tell DHS your new address.
You must file Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card. You must file this
form within 10 days of your move. There is no fee to file this form.
Send Form AR-11 to:
Department of Homeland Security
U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services
Change of Address
P.O. Box
7134
London, KY 40742-7134
