zardoz said:
You could actually do 7 months per year in the USA and 5 months per year in Canada. This would be OK for CIC. Not sure about the US though. However, as you say, people seem to have problems even meeting the basic requirements, let alone juggling.
This would not be okay with the US. The US "6 months out of 12" is not a brightline test like the Canadian residency obligation is, more of a rule of thumb. If you're repeatedly going back and forth, you will raise suspicions and will get sent to secondary. I was when I was visiting my husband repeatedly while we were long distance (and before I got US citizenship)...and my "visits" were usually only for a few weeks or long weekends.
From the USCIS website: http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/maintaining-permanent-residence
Abandoning Permanent Resident Status
You may be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status if you:
- Move to another country intending to live there permanently
- Remain outside of the United States for more than 1 year without obtaining a reentry permit or returning resident visa. However, in determining whether your status has been abandoned, any length of absence from the United States may be considered, even if less than 1 year
- Remain outside of the United States for more than 2 years after issuance of a reentry permit without obtaining a returning resident visa. However, in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the United States may be considered, even if less than 1 year
- Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the United States for any period
- Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your tax returns
