The short answer
Permanent residents can travel, but long absences can put the green card at risk. Trips under six months are usually fine. For a trip of a year or more you need a reentry permit, which you apply for before you leave.
What to know
- Show you still live in the U.S.: a home, job, taxes and family.
- Trips between six months and one year can lead to questions at the border.
- A reentry permit is for trips of up to two years, and must be applied for before leaving, with fingerprints.
- Moving your life abroad can lead to losing your permanent resident status.
For the exact rules, forms and fees, see USCIS.
Visa Status is an unofficial site. This is general information in plain words, not legal advice. Rules, fees and forms change, so check the official website and your own papers. Written October 2026.