Green Card but kids in high school in Canada

F

Falaj23

New Member
Hi everyone,

I and my family will probably get my immigrant visa from the consulate in the next few months. We applied under EB category and was approved. We live in Canada. My kids are in Grade 10 and they would like to complete their high school here in Canada. Will move to the US for university. This means my wife and kids will need to remain out of US for 2 years.

We plan to enter USA in June 2025 after their summer holidays and will be there until their school begins in Sept 2025.
1. Should they apply for a re-entry permit then? They will on an ongoing basis travel to the US every 3 months for the holidays.
2. How long does it typically take and what is the process?
3. Even with the re-entry permit could they be denied entry?

Very new to this, any advice?

Thank you
 
1. Yes, it’s advisable in this case even though the absences will be less than a year. Touching down in the US every few months while residing elsewhere is not meeting the residency requirements.
2. They will need to wait for biometrics to get done and that will be in the US, that should be a few weeks after application. It can take quite a few months for the actual document to get finished, that they can get that sent to the closest consulate to where they live If that’s easier.
3. Anyone who Is not a citizen can theoretically be denied entry (especially now, if you read the news*) but it would be very unlikely they would face any issues. Caveat to this statement is if you are of an ethnicity or original nationality that might be linked to a potential travel ban, in which case I would brush up on rights to entry as a green card holder.
 
Thank you Susie for this information. How soon can I apply for this permit ? The day we enter? Or do we need to have the actual physical GC in hand prior to doing so? I am assuming the application is online.
Thank you.
 
Hi everyone,
I am curious to know about the process after you enter USA on an immigrant visa. What are the steps that typically happens?
1. Enter USA with documents from the US Embassy and Immigrant visa.
2. When do we get SSN number? Physical GC?
3. How about getting a credit history? credit cards? car loans? or a rental property?
4. Obtaining or exchanging Dirivers License?

Thank you
 
Falaj23 said:
Thank you Susie for this information. How soon can I apply for this permit ? The day we enter? Or do we need to have the actual physical GC in hand prior to doing so? I am assuming the application is online.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
You can submit the application same day upon entry.
 
Falaj23 said:
Thank you Susie for this information. How soon can I apply for this permit ? The day we enter? Or do we need to have the actual physical GC in hand prior to doing so? I am assuming the application is online.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
You can not yet apply for a re-entry permit online (even though you can use the same form to apply for other documents online): https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/forms-available-to-file-online shows REP is not yet available for online filing. However I suggest checking this page again when it is time for your family to do so as they may have changed it by then.

You will need the A-numbers to apply but that will be in your visa stamp/immigrant visa package so you don’t need to wait for the physical green card. They do however need to be physically present in the US when applying .
 
Falaj23 said:
Hi everyone,
I am curious to know about the process after you enter USA on an immigrant visa. What are the steps that typically happens?
1. Enter USA with documents from the US Embassy and Immigrant visa.
2. When do we get SSN number? Physical GC?
3. How about getting a credit history? credit cards? car loans? or a rental property?
4. Obtaining or exchanging Dirivers License?

Thank you
Click to expand...
2. Usually a couple of weeks for SS card, longer for physical green card but typically within 2 months. Your stamped immigrant visa acts as a temporary green card for up to a year after entry.

3. Entirely up to you and what you do/can find. You can use google for some tips and hints. I think the britsimonsays website has some tips for establishing a credit history, how to find rentals without a credit history etc. Generally people start off with a secured credit card as the easiest route. For us, we live near a college where people rent to visiting professors etc so it was not that difficult to get a rental without a credit history (they did want to see a bank statement with the equivalent of 6 months rent in it but this will vary). You’ll probably have more luck with private landlords than with large companies who tend to be inflexible in requirements for things like a credit check.

4. Varies by state, check the DMV website of where you will be,
 
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