Activate GC then leave

[currycrab]

Can someone enter the US for GC activation and stay for maybe 2 weeks then leave to deal with relocation issues? The process may take >6months. Would there be any issue when returning and how it affects citizenship?

 

[TheRealCanadian]

Can someone enter the US for GC activation and stay for maybe 2 weeks then leave to deal with relocation issues? The process may take >6months. Would there be any issue when returning and how it affects citizenship?

There is no such concept as "activation" of a GC. If you leave for >6 months it is possible that you may abandon residence.

Why not spend longer getting stuff ready to relocate, and then arrive later? There's a reason an immigrant visa is good for 6 months,

 

[sanjoseaug20]

What Real said.

Plus you do not establish residency unless you stay in US for at least 3 months. So if are targeting citizenship, you are looking at 5 years from the time you return to US to setup permanent residence.

 

[Jackolantern]

There is no such concept as "activation" of a GC.

There is such a concept. It's just that the word is not "activation", it's "admission" (to lawful permanent resident status). Different word, same concept.

 

[currycrab]

ok, so you arrive with immigrant visa stamp in passport. at poe you complete process to get green card and receive stamp in passport to use for travel until you receive actual card. Can i travel out of the US within 2 weeks and return after 3 months or so?

 

[currycrab]

or should i get reentry pmit for that in case it is for longer time. for REP do you need to specify reason for out of country visit?

 

[sanjoseaug20]

You can travel on stamp.

 

[Triple Citizen]

Yes

Can i travel out of the US within 2 weeks and return after 3 months or so?

 

[currycrab]

do you need to stay 3 months to establish resident status? where is this?

 

[sanjoseaug20]

do you need to stay 3 months to establish resident status? where is this?

There is no black and white rule. They may make it an issue, they may not. Check this http://forums.immigration.com/showt...d-I-applied-too-early....don-t-understand-why!

 

[Jackolantern]

do you need to stay 3 months to establish resident status? where is this?

Maybe, maybe not. If you take a short trip outside the US within the first 3 months after entering with your GC, they won't hold that against you. But if you leave within the first 3 months and go away for several months, they may make an issue of it.

And remember this is only about establishment of residence for the purpose of the 5 years of residence required for citizenship eligibility; not for establishing residence to use or keep your green card.