Return to the USA as Business traveler

[ecoquest66]

Hello to everybody,

I have lived in the USA from 1994 until June of 2002, I was holding a Green Card when I departed which is valid until 2008.

Now to my questions: When I left the USA in 2002 I did not inform the Immigration Office, I simply got on the plane never to return and of course i kept my pink green card as souvenir...

Well my new employer in germany wants me to travel on business to the USA and I am a little concerned what immigration might say when I am at the border trying to enter the US, since I believe I should have informed them of my departure and intention not to reside in the US as legal alien and return the green card

Questions: What steps should I take in order to avoid any problems when trying to enter the US as a business traveler ?

I am looking forward to some advice

Regards
PC

[Marco 72]

You shouldn't have any problems, unless you try to enter using your green card.

[Christophe]

This is only anecdotal, but someone I know was in exactly the same position as you. When she went to the USA having stopped living there (also on a business trip), the immigration officer said, after looking at her passport and fiddling round on the computer, "You don't live here any more, do you?", she replied, "No", and there was no problem.

I don't know if things have tightened up since then, but even so, it must be true that some green card holders leave the US intending to return but never do: that can't be against the law.

[ecoquest66]

Thanks for the replies, I just wanted to make sure that I do not sit 2 hours in their inspection booth..done that to many times....just was wandering if there is official form to return the green card, meaning an official announcement that I do not reside in the us anymore ????

[Marco 72]

Thanks for the replies, I just wanted to make sure that I do not sit 2 hours in their inspection booth..done that to many times....just was wandering if there is official form to return the green card, meaning an official announcement that I do not reside in the us anymore ????

I think the only potential complication might arise from the fact that a permanent resident is required to file taxes to the US, and the IRS may have a different opinion from immigration on when (or if at all) you ceased to be a permanent resident. However, this is very unlikely to cause any problems unless you decide to immigrate to the US again.

[ecoquest66]

Hello Marco,

thanks for the reply, while searching on the net i found the INS form I-407 which I will send to the INS in Philadelphia, this should take care of any Tax or other issues.....