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 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 https://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: https://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
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Relocating to India
