Do I need to live in the United States after getting my green card?

Yes, you must maintain your permanent residence here. The law requires you to treat the United States as your actual home. Short trips abroad are fine, but extended absences can jeopardize your status. Trips longer than six months trigger additional scrutiny. Stay away for more than a year without advance permission, and you risk abandoning your green card entirely. Immigration officers look at multiple factors including where you pay taxes, where your family lives, and whether you maintain a U.S. address. We advise clients on how to travel safely while protecting their permanent resident status.