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What is the timespan GC has to be used within?

E

est_mil

Registered Users (C)
Hi, a quick question. If i took part of this year's DV lottery (2012) and actually won, how long would i be able to hold GC before actually migrating? I will graduate in 2013, so could i stall with the 2012 GC for another year or should participate in the lottery next year?

The answer is:
Once you get your GC, you have 6months to activate it. After activation, you couldn't reside outside the States for more than 1 year.
 
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once you win and get awared the GC you have 6month to enter the US to activate it
Then I think you cannot leave the US for more than 6Months
SO maybe you could go to the US after less than 6 months to activate it (and stay only a few days), and then go back to your country for less than 6months and finnaly go back to the US :)
double check this though
But you have 6Month once you get GC I'm sure
 
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Thanks man! Maybe someone can confirm whether above mentioned way is possible (e.g. activating GC, then being there 6months and then coming back for half a year or so). If i won, i'd still love to graduate and get the BA :)
 
sorry I was not clear
Once you go to the US to activate it (lets say for 1day), then you can go back right away to your country but for no more than 6month! then you have to go back to the US or you loose the GC.
you also have the option to go to the US to activate the GC, stay as long as u wish , as long as you did leave the country more than 6months.
I think it's possible.
I edited my previous message to mae it clearer, have a look at it
 
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est_mil said:
Hi, a quick question. If i took part of this year's DV lottery (2012) and actually won, how long would i be able to hold GC before actually migrating? I will graduate in 2013, so could i stall with the 2012 GC for another year or should participate in the lottery next year?
Click to expand...

U have 6 months to travel to the USA after ur immigrant visa has been issued. Also after activating ur green card, u're not allow to stay outside USA for over 1 year at a stretch. If u want to stay for more than a year outside USA, u'll need to apply for re-entry permit. U can apply for it b4 leaving the USA. I was told it is not advisable to stay more than a year outside USA so that it will not affect ur permanent residence status. It is also advisable to get ur green card b4 leaving the USA even though ur immigrant visa stand as a temporary I-551 for 1 year.
U can get ur green card and leave USA and return after 11 months provided u do not stay outside for over a year. Hope this is helpful
 
ayoblack said:
U have 6 months to travel to the USA after ur immigrant visa has been issued. Also after activating ur green card, u're not allow to stay outside USA for over 1 year at a stretch. If u want to stay for more than a year outside USA, u'll need to apply for re-entry permit. U can apply for it b4 leaving the USA. I was told it is not advisable to stay more than a year outside USA so that it will not affect ur permanent residence status. It is also advisable to get ur green card b4 leaving the USA even though ur immigrant visa stand as a temporary I-551 for 1 year.
U can get ur green card and leave USA and return after 11 months provided u do not stay outside for over a year. Hope this is helpful
Click to expand...

I agree with you.
 
Hi all. Are you sure that once you have received your GC you can stay abroad for up to 1 year without risking to lose it ? I read on other threads that the maximum time outside the US without a re-entry permit is 6 months. I got my GC in June, and went back to my country, and now I'm scared of losing it because the 6 months will expire in December. Could someone please clarify this point ?
 
ayoblack said:
U have 6 months to travel to the USA after ur immigrant visa has been issued. Also after activating ur green card, u're not allow to stay outside USA for over 1 year at a stretch. If u want to stay for more than a year outside USA, u'll need to apply for re-entry permit. U can apply for it b4 leaving the USA. I was told it is not advisable to stay more than a year outside USA so that it will not affect ur permanent residence status. It is also advisable to get ur green card b4 leaving the USA even though ur immigrant visa stand as a temporary I-551 for 1 year.
U can get ur green card and leave USA and return after 11 months provided u do not stay outside for over a year. Hope this is helpful
Click to expand...

6months seems fine.
You'll find all the info you need here:
http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-618.pdf
you should print this guide. It was given to you when you at the interview (the little brochure saying to go DL this).
 
Keep Your Immigration Status
Permanent residents who leave the United States for
extended periods, or who cannot show their intent to
live permanently in the U.S., may lose their permanent
resident status. Many immigrants believe they can live
abroad as long as they return to the U.S. at least once a
year. This is incorrect. If you think you will be out of
the U.S. for more than 12 months, you should apply for a
re-entry permit before leaving the country.You should
file Form I-131, Application for a Travel Document.You
can get this form at http://www.uscis.gov or by calling
the USCIS Forms Line at 1-800-870-3676.You must pay
a fee to file Form I-131.
A re-entry permit is valid for up to two years.You may
show the re-entry permit, instead of a visa or your
Permanent Resident Card, at a port of entry. Having a
re-entry permit does not guarantee that you will be
admitted to the United States when you return, but it
can make it easier to show that you are returning from
a temporary visit abroad. Visit http://www.state.gov or
your nearest Department of State Consular Office overseas
for more information.
 
fabb said:
Hi all. Are you sure that once you have received your GC you can stay abroad for up to 1 year without risking to lose it ? I read on other threads that the maximum time outside the US without a re-entry permit is 6 months. I got my GC in June, and went back to my country, and now I'm scared of losing it because the 6 months will expire in December. Could someone please clarify this point ?
Click to expand...

Listen all to activate the GC you have 6MONTHS. No MORE.
Look at your passport, the visa is good for 6 months! that's all. Passed this delay you loose your right.
Now when you activated the GC (that is went to the US within 6Months and recevied your GC), you can stay out of the country for more than 1y if you make the demand but you have no guarantee they will allow you to come back....
 
yes Jeffy14 you are right, but in my case I have already activated the visa, I have received the GC.
 
You need a re-entry permit to be sure....otherwise you are at risk. A GC is not just a card that gives you a free entry ticket...it is meant to go and live in the USA. If you need more time before you make the move than to be sure get a re-entry permit, or take the risk.

If you want to become a citizen you won't be able to do that in 5 years since all the time spent outside the country will be deducted, but that might not be something you want since not all GC holders want to become a citizen.
 
Yes...you have to enter usa within 6 months and activate it. if it gets delayed then it is totally waste and you have wasted your luck.
 
Thanks for all the info.
So for others, let it be emphasized:
Once you get your GC, you have 6months to activate it. After activation, you couldn't reside outside the States for more than 1 year.
What if i participated 2012 year DV lottery (yeah I know only few days left), what would be the estimated time winners get their GC? I read that it isn't a fixed date for all the winners.
 
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