Q: Can a permanent resident green card holder re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad?

A: If she has a green card, then she won’t have any problem re-entering the United States. However, if she has been out for more than six months, then she will be questioned about her reasons for staying so long. If she’s been out for a year or more, then she risks losing the green card altogether.

A: If your wife holds a valid U.S. permanent resident card (green card) and has not been outside the United States for more than one continuous year, she should be allowed to re-enter without needing special documentation. However, she must also present a valid, unexpired passport from her country of citizenship for airline travel and CBP inspection.

The key concern is how long she has been abroad. If her trip was under six months, there’s usually little scrutiny. If it was longer than six months but under one year, she may face questions about whether she abandoned her residency. Trips exceeding one year generally require a reentry permit obtained before departure; otherwise, she could be found to have abandoned her residency.

As of July 1, 2025, there have been no new policies or public announcements that change these requirements for lawful permanent residents returning from international travel. That said, border officers always evaluate reentry on a case-by-case basis, considering ties to the U.S., employment, property, family, and tax filings. If your wife has strong, continuous ties to the U.S. and her trip was temporary, she should be permitted to return.

It’s prudent that she travels with documents showing her U.S. connections—such as proof of employment, utility bills, or tax returns—especially if her time abroad was close to or exceeded six months. These help establish her intent to maintain U.S. residency.