Can Green Card issuance be postponed ?

[paranjr]

I am a US citizen. I applied for my brother's green card 13 years ago. I recently got a letter asking me to send fees for Affidavit of support and stating that a visa number may be available in the near future. My brother is not in a position to wind up his affairs and move to US in the next year or two, but would like to do so 4 years later.

1. Is it possible to postpone obtaining the greencard to a future date say 4 years from now ?

2. How does the process work ? If I send Affidavit of support, does he, his wife and kids get a green card at the same time and fly together ?

3. Does he get the green card overseas or does he have to travel to US with the family and then receive his green card while in the US ?

4. How long does it take to actually receive the green card, once he arrives in the US ?

5. Would it be better for him to just take the green card and return to starighten out his affairs and come back to US before a year is up ? If so, how long will he need to plan to stay to get the green card in his possession ?

 

[EricNeesGC]

I am a US citizen. I applied for my brother's green card 13 years ago. I recently got a letter asking me to send fees for Affidavit of support and stating that a visa number may be available in the near future. My brother is not in a position to wind up his affairs and move to US in the next year or two, but would like to do so 4 years later.

1. Is it possible to postpone obtaining the greencard to a future date say 4 years from now ?

2. How does the process work ? If I send Affidavit of support, does he, his wife and kids get a green card at the same time and fly together ?

3. Does he get the green card overseas or does he have to travel to US with the family and then receive his green card while in the US ?

4. How long does it take to actually receive the green card, once he arrives in the US ?

5. Would it be better for him to just take the green card and return to starighten out his affairs and come back to US before a year is up ? If so, how long will he need to plan to stay to get the green card in his possession ?

Hi Paranjr,

I will try to answer your question but I am not sure about all of them. Other people, please correct me where I am wrong.

1. You cannot delay the green card issuance date. You can delay filing it until the deadline though.

2. Spouse and children (unmarried - under 21) get the green card along with your brother.

3. He will get a stamp on his passport and a sealed envelope from the immigration officer when he goes for the interview. The sealed envelope should only be open by the immigration officer at the US airport. The actual green card will come in the mail.

4. The say 8 - 12 weeks but my parents got it within 3 weeks (pre 9/11). I am not sure how long it takes nowadays. I don't think it should as all the background checks have been done already.

5. Yes, if the business calls for it, its a good idea to get the green card and return home. Again, it will take less than 12 weeks (I strongly feel that it will only take 3 weeks) for the actual green card to arrive.

My advice, ask your brother to avail this opportunity. It will be good for children to go to the US schools. Its a little sacrifice your brother will make for a better future of his children.

Good luck

Eric

 

[amishah]

Your brother and his family can come here, get GC, leave family here and go back to wind up the business with re-entry permit which if get approve will allow him to stay there for 2 years.