Assistance for U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
Frequently Asked Questions
“How do I maintain my status as a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States?”
A Lawful Permanent Resident or a Conditional Resident of the United States will maintain status provided he/she retains a bona fide domicile in the U.S. and does not remain outside the U.S. for one year or more. A resident in possession of a Reentry Permit issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may remain outside the U.S. for up to two years. As a lawful resident, you are required to obey all of the laws of the United States, the States, and the localities. You are required to file your income tax return and report your income to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and State IRS. If you are a male, age 18-25, you are required to register with the Selective Service. You are also expected to support the democratic form of government.
“I am a Conditional Resident of the U.S. and my conditional status will soon expire. What should I do?”
Residents should file with USCIS a petition to remove their conditions of residence ninety days before the expiration date of the I-551 card. Residents who obtained their conditional status through marriage should file Form I-751 Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence. Residents who obtained their conditional status based on being an investor or entrepreneur should file Form I-829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Condition.
Please note: The condition must be removed in order to become a Lawful Permanent Resident. If you fail to file the petition in a timely manner you lose your permanent resident status and a new immigrant visa process will have to be initiated to acquire an LPR status.
“My Green card is lost/stolen. Can I get a new one at the Embassy?”
Only USCIS offices in the United States can issue replacement Green cards for LPRs. You may, however, visit the U.S. Embassy Riga and apply for a Transportation Letter that would allow you to return to the U.S. Transportation letters may only be issued to LPRs who are returning to the United States after an absence of less than one year. Please consult section “How to apply for a Transportation Letter?” for more information.
“I have been outside the United States for longer than 12 months. How can I go back?”
In general, Lawful Permanent Residents would abandon their lawful status if they remained outside the U.S. for one year or more without obtaining a Reentry Permit from USCIS prior to their trip. However, you may be eligible for a Returning Resident Visa, SB-1 Special Immigrant Visa, if you can demonstrate that you did not intend to abandon status. You will need to schedule an appointment with the Consular Officer at the Embassy and submit evidence to determine if your stay abroad was caused by reasons beyond your control, such as family emergency, unplanned medical treatment, etc. Please consult section “Returning Residents” for more information.
“I am a Lawful Permanent Resident of the U.S. and plan to be outside the UnitedStates for more than one year. Is there anything I can do to keep my LPR status while living abroad?”
If you plan to be outside the U.S. for one year or more and intend to maintain your LPR status you must obtain a Reentry Permit by filing Form I-131 Application for Travel Document with USCIS.
The application has to be filed no fewer than 60 days before your trip abroad and it must be filed while physically present in the U.S. to submit your biometrics. Reentry permits are normally valid for 2 years from the date of issuance and allow a permanent resident or conditional resident to apply for admission to the United States upon returning from abroad during the permit's validity, without having to obtain a Returning Resident Visa. You may be found to have abandoned your status if you move to another country intending to live there permanently. As a lawful resident you must also file income tax returns while living outside of the U.S. for any period of time.
“What can I do if my “green card” (Form I-551) has expired?”
Airlines have been advised that they may transport a U.S. permanent resident in possession of an expired Form I-551 back to the United States, provided that the card was valid for ten years, and the card holder has not been outside the United States for more than twelve months.
“Can I abandon my Lawful Permanent Resident Status?”
If you wish to abandon your LPR status, please complete Form I-407
Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status, and bring it together with Form I-551 to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Riga between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except for Embassy holidays.
Please note: Abandonment of lawful permanent resident status does not guarantee that you will automatically be eligible for a non-immigrant status (visitor for business or pleasure, exchange visitor, student, etc). Abandonment of LPR status is irrevocable, once relinquished you must qualify again for such status.
“I'm a Lawful Permanent Resident of the U.S. and my child was just born in Latvia. How can I bring my child to the U.S.?”
Your child does not need a visa or Green card to enter the United States provided that:
- the child was born during the Legal Permanent Resident alien mother’s temporary visit to Latvia;
- the child will apply for admission to the U.S. within two years after birth;
- child’s accompanying parent (mother or father) holding a lawful resident status will apply for readmission for the first time after the child’s birth;
- the child’s accompanying parent (mother or father) will be able to present the child’s birth certificate along with a notarized English translation as an evidence of child-parent relationship.
An immigrant visa is required in all other situations.