Key Takeaways
• Staying outside the U.S. over one year without a reentry permit risks losing your green card.
• Maintaining U.S. ties—home, bank accounts, family—helps prove you haven’t abandoned permanent residency.
• Short visits to the U.S. do not reset the clock or automatically protect your green card status.
This FAQ guide helps green card holders who live in the United States 🇺🇸 and are thinking about moving to or spending time in Brazil 🇧🇷. It answers common questions about how a stay in Brazil may affect your green card status, what steps you should take to protect your status, and what to do if you stay outside the United States for a long time. Refer to the summary table and the official resources for more details and always remember your personal situation may need special attention.
Most Popular Questions
Will I lose my green card if I move to Brazil?
If you leave the United States and move permanently to Brazil, you may lose your green card. The United States government can consider your permanent resident status abandoned if you are away for a long time or show signs that you now live in Brazil as your main home.
How long can I stay outside the United States and keep my green card?
- Less than 6 months: Most people will not have trouble reentering the United States. Officers at the border usually do not see this as abandoning your green card.
- Between 6 months and 1 year: You may be questioned on return. You will need to show you still see the United States as your real home.
- Longer than 1 year: You will almost always be seen as giving up your green card (unless you get special permission before leaving).
See the summary table below for a quick overview.
Questions About Absences and Ties to the United States
What does the government look for to decide if I have abandoned my green card?
U.S. authorities will consider:
- If you still own or rent a home in the United States 🇺🇸.
- If you have U.S. bank accounts.
- If you keep a U.S. driver’s license.
- If your family is still living in the United States.
- Whether you have a job there or actively work for a U.S.-based company.
- If you file tax returns as a U.S. resident each year.
- Whether you plan to return and when.
If you move your family and all your things to Brazil 🇧🇷, close your U.S. accounts, and get a job in Brazil, this suggests you have a new main home and could lose your green card.
If I want to spend more than six months in Brazil, how can I show I did not abandon my green card?
Make sure to:
- Keep your home or apartment in the United States.
- Keep open and use U.S. bank or credit card accounts.
- File your U.S. tax returns as a resident.
- Keep your driver’s license up to date.
- Stay in touch with family, friends, or business ties in America.
- Make clear plans for your return, like showing proof of a return flight or job in the United States.
Bringing these documents or proof when you travel can help the border officer see you did not mean to give up your green card.
Reentry Permits and Longer Absences
What is a reentry permit and why do I need one?
A reentry permit is a travel document from the United States government. It lets a green card holder leave for up to two years and return without it being assumed that you abandoned your green card. However, it does not guarantee entry if other facts suggest you moved out.
When and how do I apply for a reentry permit?
- You should apply before leaving the United States 🇺🇸.
- Fill out Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. You can find this on the official USCIS website.
- Attend a biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment, which must be done in the United States.
Important Note: You must be physically in the United States when you apply and finish fingerprints before leaving.
Is a reentry permit a guarantee I will keep my green card?
No, it only helps. If your actions show you no longer see the United States as your main home, you can still lose the green card, even with a reentry permit.
Can I use a reentry permit for many trips?
A reentry permit is valid for up to two years and cannot be extended. After it expires, you may apply for a new permit, but you must be in the United States to do so.
Risks of Staying Outside the United States Too Long
What happens if I stay outside the United States for longer than one year without a reentry permit?
Your green card becomes invalid for reentering the country. You would need to apply for a special visa, called a “returning resident visa,” at a U.S. embassy or consulate in Brazil 🇧🇷. This visa is only given in rare cases and is hard to get. You will need to show that reasons outside your control kept you in Brazil—such as medical emergencies.
Will short visits to the United States reset the clock?
No. If you are mostly living in Brazil 🇧🇷 and only visit the United States for a few days, this will not help protect your green card if it seems you really live in Brazil. It is how you act and what your real home is, not just the number of entries or exits, that matters.
Tax Issues and Green Card Status
Do I need to pay U.S. taxes if I am living in Brazil with a green card?
Yes. As long as you have a green card, you must file U.S. tax returns and report your worldwide income—no matter where you live. Failing to do so can count as a sign you abandoned your U.S. home.
If I pay my taxes from Brazil, is that enough to keep my green card?
It helps, but it is not the only thing. You must also show you have not set up a new, main home in Brazil. Keeping several ties in the United States is best.
Family and Employment Ties
What if my spouse or children stay in the United States while I am in Brazil?
If your family continues to live in the United States 🇺🇸, this is a strong sign that you have not abandoned your home there. However, if you move your whole family to Brazil 🇧🇷, officers may believe you have moved for good.
What about my job?
If you keep working for a U.S.-based company—even from Brazil 🇧🇷—this may help. But if you take a new job in Brazil, this can be seen as a sign that you gave up your U.S. permanent residence.
Returning Resident Visa (SB-1)
What is a returning resident visa (SB-1)?
If you have been outside the United States for over one year and do not have a reentry permit, you may need to apply for the SB-1 visa at a U.S. consulate in Brazil 🇧🇷. It is only for people who left for a short trip but got stuck abroad for reasons they could not control, like serious illness.
How hard is it to get a returning resident visa?
It is very hard. You must show strong evidence that your stay in Brazil was not by choice, but by events out of your hands. There is no guarantee it will be approved.
Summary Table: Green Card Risks When Moving Abroad
| Absence Duration | Risk Level | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 6 months | Low | Usually no issues; stay connected to U.S. |
| 6–12 months | Medium | May be questioned; need to prove intent not to abandon |
| Over 12 months (no permit) | High | Likely seen as giving up residency; green card may be lost |
| Up to 2 years (with permit) | Lower | Reentry easier; still must keep strong U.S. connections |
Moving Between the United States and Brazil
If you are a green card holder with strong ties to Brazil 🇧🇷—like family, property, or work—you must be careful. Living mostly in Brazil may cause border officers to believe you no longer see the United States as your main home. As reported by VisaVerge.com, green card holders who spend extended periods outside the United States without taking the right steps often lose their status, even if they return for short trips.
If you truly plan to live in Brazil long-term, you may want to think carefully about your options. For example, you could consider applying for U.S. citizenship, if eligible, before moving, or keeping enough ties in America to show it is still your permanent home.
Common Misconceptions
Myth: “I can keep my green card no matter how long I am out of the United States as long as I come back every so often.”
- Fact: What matters is not short visits, but where your real home and main life are.
Myth: “Paying taxes is all I need to do.”
- Fact: Filing U.S. taxes is required, but you must also keep many other ties to the United States.
Myth: “If I get a reentry permit, I will always be let back into the United States.”
- Fact: It helps, but if you have moved your life to Brazil, you can still lose your green card.
Examples
Example 1: Maria has a green card but moves to Brazil with her family and gets a full-time job in São Paulo. She comes to the United States for two weeks each year and files her U.S. returns. However, she closed her U.S. accounts, sold her home, and no family remains in America. Officers may decide she abandoned her green card.
Example 2: João spends seven months in Brazil each year for business, but owns a house in Miami, keeps his U.S. bank account, pays taxes, and his spouse lives in Florida. If questioned, he can show his clear intent to keep the United States as his main home.
Additional Help and Official Resources
Your green card is too important to risk by guessing. Rules change and each person’s facts are different. Always double-check with the USCIS’s international travel guide or ask a qualified immigration lawyer before finalizing your plans.
If you need official immigration forms, like the reentry permit, you can get them from the USCIS Form I-131 page.
Final Notes
- Strong ties to the United States are key if you want to avoid problems with your green card when staying in Brazil for long periods.
- If planning to be away for more than a year, always apply for a reentry permit in advance.
- Keep records that prove America is your real home.
- Always return to the United States before your green card or travel document expires.
If you have complex travel plans or are unsure about your situation, reach out to an immigration expert, check official government sites, or connect with reputable sources like VisaVerge.com for the latest updates and best practices.
Learn Today
Green card → A permit allowing a foreign national to live and work permanently in the United States.
Reentry permit → A travel document that lets green card holders reenter the U.S. after up to two years abroad.
Abandonment → Losing permanent resident status due to actions or time spent mainly outside the United States.
Returning resident visa → A special visa (SB-1) for green card holders unable to return after lengthy absences from the U.S.
USCIS → United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency managing lawful immigration and green cards.
This Article in a Nutshell
Green card holders should be cautious about spending long periods in Brazil, as exceeding one year without a reentry permit can jeopardize their status. Maintain strong U.S. ties, such as a residence and filing taxes, to avoid abandonment. Always apply for documentation and consult official resources before extended international stays.
— By VisaVerge.com
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