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DV Activation trip

T

thanejm

New Member
Hi,

Finally I got DV stamped on my passport. Since I have only 6 months to enter, I plan to go to US for 2 weeks sometime in May and activate my visa. However, I can't stay more than 2 weeks because of my current job contract.

If I understood correctly, I should get Permanent resident card and SSN in the first few weeks after entering. In case I don't get those before my return flight, can someone else pick up those for me (I will provide address at entry port) and can I reenter US at the end of year without GC (only with DV that is currently stamped in my passport)? I have read something about I-551 stamp but not sure if that applies to DV program.
 
Yes your immigrant visa, upon endorsement becomes a temporary GC valid for one year which can be used in place of the plastic GC itself. Bear in mind some airline employees may not be aware of this and may try to prevent you from using the temporary GC to board for your return trip, you'll need to be prepared to convince them otherwise should that happen.

Not sure what you mean by "only with DV that is currently stamped in my passport" part of your above post, as no such stamp get's placed on the passport AFAIK.
 
Thanks! Regarding DV currently stamped I've meant Immigrant Visa that embassy stamped after interview.

Couple of weeks after being admitted to US, both plastic GC and SSN will automatically be sent to the address I provided when entering US?
 
Yes, they are supposed to be, that is the process. However, the SSN sometimes doesn't get sent, which may require visiting the SSA office in person to put in a new application. Also note, the GC does not get produced until after the GC payment has been made. The payment can be made before or after entering the US. And sometimes, it may take more than a couple of weeks to get sent.
 
Hi there,

I think my question can be related to this forum topic.
I've been lucky enough to get my DV issued last week and I'm now waiting for my passport to be delivered (don't exactly know how much time it should take...?).
Anyway, I was wondering if I can immediately jump into a plane to US right after getting my passport with the temporary GC stamped in it ? Or is there other administrative processing to wait for (other documents, other payment, etc...) ? If anyone kind enough could explain me what is the exact process right after you get your passport back ?

Thank you !
 
You will not be getting your passport with a temporary GC stamp. What you will get stamped on your passport will be the immigrant visa which enables you to enter the US as an immigrant. And yes, you can hop on the next available plane for the US the minute you get back your passport with the immigrant visa in it if you like. After you’ve entered the US with the immigrant visa, it then becomes a temporary GC upon endorsement (the endorsement is the stamp out by customs at the POE indicating you’ve been admitted into the US as a LPR). Prior to that, all you’ll have on your passport is an immigrant visa.
 
Sm1smom said:
You will not be getting your passport with a temporary GC stamp. What you will get stamped on your passport will be the immigrant visa which enables you to enter the US as an immigrant. And yes, you can hop on the next available plane for the US the minute you get back your passport with the immigrant visa in it if you like. After you’ve entered the US with the immigrant visa, it then becomes a temporary GC upon endorsement (the endorsement is the stamp out by customs at the POE indicating you’ve been admitted into the US as a LPR). Prior to that, all you’ll have on your passport is an immigrant visa.
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OK, thank you very much for the crystal clear answer
Will I need to pay fee at the POE ? I read somewhere that I need to pay a couple of hundreds $ for GC plastic card edition and shipment ?
And last question, will I be interviewed again at the POE, should I add any specific documents ?

Thanks again
 
GC payment needs to be made online. You can do that before or after you enter the US, instructions on how to do that should come with your passport. There's no interview at the POE.
 
Sm1smom said:
GC payment needs to be made online. You can do that before or after you enter the US, instructions on how to do that should come with your passport. There's no interview at the POE.
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Hello, I have just made the payment for the GC but my travel plan is by September, do you know how many days will take to receive the final GC after I make my first entry? Regards
 
Joansh said:
Hello, I have just made the payment for the GC but my travel plan is by September, do you know how many days will take to receive the final GC after I make my first entry? Regards
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It might take months, but it doesn't really matter as your immigrant visa turns into basically a temporary green card for 1 year after your entry.
 
Sm1smom said:
Yes, they are supposed to be, that is the process. However, the SSN sometimes doesn't get sent, which may require visiting the SSA office in person to put in a new application. Also note, the GC does not get produced until after the GC payment has been made. The payment can be made before or after entering the US. And sometimes, it may take more than a couple of weeks to get sent.
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Can they said the green card before I enter the US so I can just pick it when I eventually enter the US?
 
nervouswreck said:
Can they said the green card before I enter the US so I can just pick it when I eventually enter the US?
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No, because you only become a US permanent resident when you enter the US with your immigrant visa, and only then are you eligible to get proof of permanent residency (e.g. a green card). Before that, you are just a person with a visa, which you may or may not use.
 
newacct said:
No, because you only become a US permanent resident when you enter the US with your immigrant visa, and only then are you eligible to get proof of permanent residency (e.g. a green card). Before that, you are just a person with a visa, which you may or may not use.
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Ah, makes sense. Is a 3 or 4 day activation trip enough to trigger sending of my SSN and green card?
 
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