Can I move to another country after receiving my green card?

After obtaining your green card through EB-5, you become a lawful permanent resident and are free to travel internationally. The key issue, however, is different: permanent resident status assumes you will maintain the United States as your primary residence, so relocating permanently abroad is fundamentally different from simply traveling.

Extended absences or establishing a permanent home outside the U.S. can be interpreted as abandonment of permanent residency. In such cases, immigration authorities may determine that you no longer maintain essential ties to the country, which can result in the loss of your green card. It is worth noting that a green card is not equivalent to U.S. citizenship.

If your plans include spending significant time abroad, several steps can help protect your status:

• Maintain concrete ties in the U.S. (housing, financial connections, up-to-date tax filings).
• Consider a reentry permit, which provides more flexibility for extended absences without your status being immediately questioned.
• Plan trips in advance, avoiding periods abroad that could appear to indicate a permanent move.

Because each situation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, it is advisable to confirm the current rules with USCIS or with an immigration specialist before making any decisions that could jeopardize your residency.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.