• Hello Members, This forums is for DV lottery visas only. For other immigration related questions, please go to our forums home page, find the related forum and post it there.

Urgent question abt expiry of visa

R

rana88

New Member
Hello!

I have my DV visa with a validity of 6 months, and I was thinking of entering US in the 5 month of its validity, but would this make me illegal in US during the time -I heard "few weeks"-till the Green Card is activated ?? :confused: Should I enter US well in advance?
 
It is right, you have to enter the US within 6 month. Once you have done this, the temporary greencard in you passport (the I-551 sticker) is vaild for 1-year. Means if you enter the US the first time on August 1, 2013 it is vaild until July 31, 2014. Within this time you shoudl have received the plastic card.
 
Just to clarify the above post - it's correct but maybe not entirely clear- when you enter the US on your immigrant visa, as soon as it is stamped for entry it becomes a temporary green card (also known as an I-551) valid for a year.
 
rana88 said:
Hello!

I have my DV visa with a validity of 6 months, and I was thinking of entering US in the 5 month of its validity, but would this make me illegal in US during the time -I heard "few weeks"-till the Green Card is activated ?? :confused: Should I enter US well in advance?
Click to expand...

As long as you enter US within (not outside) your immigration visa (IV) expiration time frame, you are OK. Meaning, if your IV expires in September 15, 2013, and you travel to US before that date, there is no problem. I don't think that an immigration officer will let you in if you arrive at the POE in September 16, 2013. So it is up to you to plan your trip accordingly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top