Every time I re-enter, they bring up surrendering my green card at the airport.

When entering through the airport, Customs seriously asked me why I’d been gone so long, and suggested that if I didn’t intend to keep living in the U.S., I should consider surrendering my green card — this made me think that going back and forth briefly might not be the best approach.

I’m currently a green card holder working for a U.S. company. Since COVID started, the company has allowed me, as an accommodation, to work remotely from Korea (not a company transfer, but for personal reasons), and instead of a Reentry Permit, I’ve been going back to the U.S. every 5–6 months and staying about 3–4 weeks. I don’t own real estate in the U.S., but I maintain consistent economic activity — credit cards, bank accounts, taxes.

Since a Reentry Permit can only be applied for while residing in the U.S., and approval takes time, would it be better for me to just keep going back and forth every 5–6 months to maintain an entry/exit record instead? How long does approval typically take?