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Ok here’s my story.
My wife won the GC lottery in 2005. We got the GC in July 2006 and entered the US in August 2006. I started my master degree at a US university in late August. My wife was at the time pregnant, and since no sane insurance company is willing to provide a pregnant woman health insurance, we returned to Europe in September to give birth to our child. (My wife was 36 weeks pregnant at the time)
Due to complications and a death in my immediate family we didn’t return to the US until early May 2007. So we stayed out of the US just over 7 months. At the POE we were asked a few questions on why we stayed in Europe for over 6 months, but they seemed to understand the situation. At the POE we also filed for a GC for our daughter.
Miraculously I’ve been able to pass all the classes at the university. (With the help of a few understanding professors). At the time of writing I’ve got 2 semesters left which I’ll spend on my master thesis. After that my plan is to get a job here in the US.
But now I got an offer from a multinational company headquartered in my country of birth that wants me to join them for a research project, the project is scheduled to begin in early October. It’s a computer software project but is related to international trade. The company is a merger between 3 - 4 other companies and the project’s aim is to consolidate some of the products that they already have. The company wants me to write my final thesis (master thesis) on a specific part of the project, related to distributed team development, outsourcing and offshoring.
The company wants me to stay with them for 20 – 24 months. They’ve sent me a formal invitation.
As I understand it I’ll need to apply for a re-entry permit (I-131). But I’m not sure what the chances are of getting an approval. In the proposed travel information (part 4), I’ll make sure to write a short explanation of the trip and of course send a copy of the invitation letter (or the original for that matter) and a proof of being student (Student ID). In part 5, I’ll have to state that I’ve stayed outside the US for 6-12 months.
We currently live in California and keeping the apartment here while staying abroad is out of the question ($$$). I plan on changing my address to the home of one of our relatives before we leave. But should I have the travel documents sent to that address or should I have it sent to the embassy in Europe?
Another issue is that I want to bring my wife and daughter with me to Europe. Staying in Europe for 20 months without my 1 year old daughter is not an option. But what should I write as their purpose of the trip? “Stay with husband / dad while he completes his master degree”?
I would appreciate any comments.
My wife won the GC lottery in 2005. We got the GC in July 2006 and entered the US in August 2006. I started my master degree at a US university in late August. My wife was at the time pregnant, and since no sane insurance company is willing to provide a pregnant woman health insurance, we returned to Europe in September to give birth to our child. (My wife was 36 weeks pregnant at the time)
Due to complications and a death in my immediate family we didn’t return to the US until early May 2007. So we stayed out of the US just over 7 months. At the POE we were asked a few questions on why we stayed in Europe for over 6 months, but they seemed to understand the situation. At the POE we also filed for a GC for our daughter.
Miraculously I’ve been able to pass all the classes at the university. (With the help of a few understanding professors). At the time of writing I’ve got 2 semesters left which I’ll spend on my master thesis. After that my plan is to get a job here in the US.
But now I got an offer from a multinational company headquartered in my country of birth that wants me to join them for a research project, the project is scheduled to begin in early October. It’s a computer software project but is related to international trade. The company is a merger between 3 - 4 other companies and the project’s aim is to consolidate some of the products that they already have. The company wants me to write my final thesis (master thesis) on a specific part of the project, related to distributed team development, outsourcing and offshoring.
The company wants me to stay with them for 20 – 24 months. They’ve sent me a formal invitation.
As I understand it I’ll need to apply for a re-entry permit (I-131). But I’m not sure what the chances are of getting an approval. In the proposed travel information (part 4), I’ll make sure to write a short explanation of the trip and of course send a copy of the invitation letter (or the original for that matter) and a proof of being student (Student ID). In part 5, I’ll have to state that I’ve stayed outside the US for 6-12 months.
We currently live in California and keeping the apartment here while staying abroad is out of the question ($$$). I plan on changing my address to the home of one of our relatives before we leave. But should I have the travel documents sent to that address or should I have it sent to the embassy in Europe?
Another issue is that I want to bring my wife and daughter with me to Europe. Staying in Europe for 20 months without my 1 year old daughter is not an option. But what should I write as their purpose of the trip? “Stay with husband / dad while he completes his master degree”?
I would appreciate any comments.
