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Green card postponement

G

giorgi

New Member
Hello everyone,

I need your help with the following question.

I won a green card last year and I am going to US this month. I am planning to stay there until I get my green card and then return to my country. I was wondering if it is possible to postpone my green card for two years.


Many thanks to all in advance.
 
You will need to apply for a re-entry permit before you leave the U.S. otherwise you will be considered to have abandoned your US residency if you stay away for two years.

The re-entry permit doesn't need to be approved before you return to your country, you can have them send it upon approval to the U.S. embassy in your home country who will call you for pick up when they receive it. But you must wait to complete the biometric after sending the application before you leave the U.S. It could take 2-3 months to do the biometrics from when you submit the application.
 
Thank you very much for your reply. I appreciate your replies very much. I am just trying to find the way to stay in my country (where I have my whole family) and do not loose my green card.
Do you know if after receiving my green card and if I return to my country and then after a year I go back to the US will help me to not loose my green card?
 
After receiving your GC or activating your LPR status, going back home and returning within 1 year is allowed without needing a re-entry permit. This is because they understand most immigrants need to go back and tie up loose ends. They may still ask you lots of questions upon your return though, but they most likely will allow you to come in.

However, you will eventually have to choose between your whole family and your GC since your family is not interested in moving to the U.S.
 
How long do i need to get a green card? and how much does it cost to submit a re-entry permit.
I won the green card with my family (wife and two kids) but i decided that i am the only one who is travelling to the US, so basically they already lost their chance to get their green cards. Do you know if it possible for them to reunite in the US with me after some time and get their green cards?

Many thanks again.
 
Getting the plastic GC could take anywhere between 1 to 4 months. The fee for the re-entry permit for anyone between 14 and 79 years old is $445. Link to the re-entry permit for more information:

http://www.uscis.gov/i-131

Assuming you declared the existence of your spouse and children when you applied for your own GC, you will be able to sponsor them for their own GC if they eventually decide to live in the U.S. with you. This will however require your living and working in the U.S. before you can sponsor them. It will cost more to sponsor them (compared to what it would have cost if they had processed with you), and it will possibly involve spending some time apart - you in the U.S., they in your country.
 
I think you mentioned previously @giorgi, that your original plan was to only spend a few weeks in the US each year and the balance in your country of origin. If that's still the plan, then I think you may have issues keeping that GC.

I'd do what @Sm1smom's suggests. She is a wise woman.
 
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