Lynne Feldman
Immigration AttorneyTwo considerations: eligibility for citizenship and abandonment of the green card. Eligibility for citizenship is based mostly on fixed rules; no breaks greater than 180 days out of the U.S., continuous residence in the U.S. for at least half of the five-year statutory period, and residence in the state for 90 days before filing. For abandonment of the U.S., it is more of a factual test of intent; are you paying U.S. taxes, were the breaks greater than a year, are you employed abroad, what are your ties to the U.S. If extended absences are anticipated and/or employment abroad, I recommend applying for a reentry permit while on U.S. soil but still keep up U.S. tax payments on worldwide income as well as other ties to the U.S. to show your intent not to abandon the green card you worked so hard for.