India’s high tech revolution has jump-started both the Indian economy and has also opened the door to the fulfillment of the infallible ‘desi’ dream of returning home one day.

Challenging employment opportunities combined with the charm of living at home are now encouraging a lot of permanent residents to return to their home country. However before starting this journey, one needs to remember that quite a few of us have created ties, particularly immigration related, to this land of opportunity. It is equally important to take all precautions to safeguard one’s immigrant or nonimmigrant status in the U.S. With the changing face of the immigration policies, it is imperative that one’s immigrant or nonimmigrant status in the U.S. is not violated.

A Permanent Resident Alien (popularly known as the “Green Card” holder) who spends lengthy period of time outside the U.S. must take precautions to preserve their U.S. permanent resident status. Prolonged absences from the U.S. may pose problems upon re-entry, as the Immigration Services may consider that the returning resident has “abandoned” permanent resident status. The “temporary” absence abroad, should not exceed six months.

However, returning within six months or returning to the United States once a year is NOT sufficient to maintain permanent residence.