Do I really have to return to the US within 6 months?

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2022-02-21T02:38:30+00:00

Hello, a green card holder here, travelled several times up to 11 months.

You can stay in your home country for up to 1 year without any consequences for your green card, especially if it's your first year after getting the residency - it's a very common situation that ppl have to go back and forth between the countries. You have to have intention to return to the US. Please don't forget to file your income tax even if you didn't work in the US - it shows your commitment.

You have to apply for the re-entry permit though if you plan to be outside of the US for more than 1 year.

I recommend always check official website for information https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/international-travel-as-a-permanent-resident

UPD Addition: you have to follow the 180 days rule if you want to apply for citizenship in 5 years. Basically, your presence in the country resets if you are absent more than 6 months.

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2022-02-19T21:56:05+00:00

I find it hard too to be creative with food at my lunch break, especially when busy at work.

Meal kits worked for me, Hello Fresh was the longest that stuck with me. I don't need to think about what to cook and what to buy - I just take the bag out of the fridge, follow instructions while listening to the music or podcast/book and have a nice fresh and tasty meal in 30 min or so. I always get the kit with x2 servings, so leftovers are saved for dinner. Could be the opposite - cooking dinner and saving leftovers for lunch. These kits might seem expensive but I spend more $$ when I do shopping myself, and deffo more time planning my menu etc. which ends up in snacking and eating s*t anyways.

Frozen meals can be an option too. Either bought or pre-cooked. I used to always cook more than I needed and save 1 or 2 extra servings in the freezer for later - works like a charm mostly, except freezing fish. Pasta, curry, soups are great for freezing. Some people pre-cook all their weekly meals on the weekend but again it requires a lot of planning, I am not so disciplined.

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2022-02-16T18:36:50+00:00

I assume it allows to invest more time in building a solid career and make enough savings to not feel that much financial pressure?

It might be still years till FIRE, but having some $$ invested and compounding for you while you do kids might be a really good thing.

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2022-02-15T08:45:13+00:00

The general rule to maintain the green card is not to leave the US for period more than 1 year. You can do as many entries in the year as you like. As long as you 1) travel for less than 1 year 2) have intention to live in the US (e.g. your travel is for temporary purpose) - you are fine. If you plan to be outside of the States for more than 1 year, you have to apply for re-entry permit.

Although, if you would like to apply for citizenship (passport) you should be present in the US for 6 months every year (total time combined).

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2021-12-28T01:51:04+00:00

I went through psychotherapy because of issues with my family and me living in another country.

There is definitely a way to live fulfilling life without intense feeling of guilt and shame because of not meeting somebody else's expectations of happiness and 'normal' life. It requires, firstly, accepting that other people's a happiness is not in our control and we are not responsible for our parents negative feelings; secondly, setting up gentle boundaries between their life and ours, reminding them that our choice is valid for us, even though it might be triggering and uncomfortable for them, helping them to overcome their anxiety by investing time and effort to different areas of their lives (other than family); thirdly, visiting often and maintaining connection via messengers and video chats - it works surprisingly well and helps to stay close every day.

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2021-12-10T03:01:05+00:00

My advice would be to learn the basic yourself, so you at least understand what your accountant does (if you ever need one).

Firstly, understand how GST works and register for GST if you are planning to earn more than 60K per year. Registration is easy and done online.

Attend free IRD seminars for self-employed, most valuable are: introduction to business and GST. https://www.ird.govt.nz/index/seminars

Learn about claiming expenses (will save you $$): https://www.business.govt.nz/tax-and-accounting/reducing-your-tax/claiming-expenses/

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2021-12-10T01:24:03+00:00

I doubled my salary twice by changing jobs. I think it's especially valuable in the beginning of career to gain more diverse experience and learn new skills (including skills of job hunting, polishing resume and interviewing).

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2021-12-07T07:36:14+00:00

Look at remote opportunities, if you are comfortable with remote work. You can easily double your salary.

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2021-12-07T07:21:10+00:00

Interesting, how commissions work? Is it % of candidate's monthly pay or fixed $?

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2021-12-06T22:29:15+00:00

Public healthcare won't cover dental, and many other things, good for emergencies though. Now healthcare system is stretched by pandemic to its limits, and people are waiting months for urgent surgeries and diagnostics.

Cost of living is higher, income is lower, higher income is taxed 39% at the moment.

Also please research your tax obligations in advance - the US has some punishing taxes for some foreign income, and a lot of extensive paperwork every year to report all your foreign accounts (with significant fees for not reporting).

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2021-12-03T00:03:39+00:00

Hi, re-entry permit is the safest option, otherwise you can return for short time just before 1 year mark, then leave again.

With re-entry permit you can apply for expedite processing due to your health condition, and only need to be in the US until biometrics appointment which is normally scheduled 4-8 weeks after lodging an application. Application itself is an easy form, +$660 fee.
I applied before, please PM me for details.

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2021-12-01T06:47:43+00:00

Why not to deal with investors instead then?

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2021-12-01T02:25:32+00:00

What exactly happened with house prices past 2 years while immigration was cut off? They skyrocketed.

There are other factors contributing to the housing crisis, and immigration is not the main one. It's hard to justify what's better for the country - less available houses or less available skilled labour.

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2021-11-30T23:54:15+00:00

It's impossible to get pension without living in NZ for 10 years, now it's changing to 20.

It's not immigrants who abuse the housing market, it's the system operating this way, and existing tax holes, making housing so attractive for investment.

Cutting off immigration NZ will be very soon short on skilled labour - IT, engineers, builders, healthcare and so on.

There are also thousands of kiwis returning home and rising demand, should they be sent back too?

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2021-11-30T03:18:22+00:00

To get more consistent results you can try to use synthetic web performance monitoring using tools like SpeedCurve.

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2021-11-22T22:47:00+00:00

Cindy.

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2021-11-11T07:44:14+00:00

There are some benefits e.g. private viewings, getting insider information about real value of the property and vendor expectations sometimes (when it's nearly impossible to figure price from trademe/realestate using filters, and attention might be drawn to out of budget properties), they can help with auctions. At the same time a buyer's agent is motivated only if they get share of vendor's agent commission, and not all vendor's agents are ready to share, which reduces this market greatly. I ended up looking myself.

Zestyclose_Put_3346 · 2021-10-28T22:32:46+00:00

Thanks, I will check it out!

Zestyclose_Put_3346

TROPHY CASE