Duration of stay outside US on Re-entry Permit

[GC_holder_tos]

Hi,
My parents got their second Re-entry Permit approved (applied through Application I-131) in first week of Jan 2008. This rentry permit is valid for 2 years (i.e. till Jan 2010). They had applied for the second Re-entry Permit on 16th Feb 2007. And after applying it they left 19th Feb 2007.

They are planning to return to US in Jan 2010 before the Re-entry Permit expiration. I read on this and other forums that with Re-entry Permit a US resident can live outside for more than 1 year and less than 2 years.

In my parent's case, when they will return back to US in Jan 2010, they will already have spend 3 years outside US.

I was concerned that the 2 year stay limit will be counted from the day my parents left US or the day when the Re-entry Permit got approved?

Secondly, Is there any limit on number of times a Re-Entry Permit can be applied?

[martinvisalaw]

Originally Posted by GC_holder_tos

I read on this and other forums that with Re-entry Permit a US resident can live outside for more than 1 year and less than 2 years.

Not true. There is no limit, except that eventually US immigration may decide that the person has relinquished their permanent residence if they stay outside the US for many years.

Secondly, Is there any limit on number of times a Re-Entry Permit can be applied?

No, the first 2 are for 2 years each, and then one year at a time. Again, CIS will eventually question whether the applicants really intend to return here.