Thankfully we have excellent health insurance otherwise we would not even consider moving 'back' to the States. Yes, we both worked there for years and I am 63. Good deduction! As for Medicare other half has everything in control there too.

We have found all of your information and links extremely helpful. One last question - when the papers go through and he gets his green card, does he have to move to the States within a certain period of time?

When "all his papers go through", he won't get a green card. He'll get an Immigrant Visa. When he uses the Immigrant Visa to enter the USA, then he will get his green card at the US POE.

The Immigrant Visa will be valid for 6 months from the date of his medical exam. So if he has his visa interview 6 weeks or so after his medical exam, the visa will be valid for 4.5 months after the visa interview.

He has to move to the USA before the Immigrant Visa expiration date.

If he needs to return to the UK to tie up some loose ends, he can do so, after entering the USA. He should keep that visit to the UK no more than a few months, though.

Rene

Once he enters the US, his visa will be endorsed - that endorsement is the paper equivalent of a green card. The actual card will show up in the mail a few weeks after entry. But, to clarify what Rene has written, he must enter the US during the validity period of the visa. He doesn't actually need to move to the US during the validity period of the visa. Once he enters and his visa is endorsed, he can turn around and head back to the UK to finish up with things there before finally moving to the US. Indeed, he doesn't even need to leave the airport if he so chooses. His endorsed visa will suffice for travel and reentry to the US.

Ian

Greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

I'm not comfortable with this explanation. When an alien enters the USA using an immigrant visa, he becomes a Permanent Resident at that point. The USA has become his place of 'permanent' residence that he does not intend to abandon. If the person promptly turns around and heads back to whence they came to tie up loose ends, they are making a visit back. Their home became the USA when they entered. As Mr.F frequently posts, the devil is in the details. On occasion he has pointed out that a person can retain their PR status despite spending an extended period of time outside the USA, or they can lose their status on the flight out. If someone has absolutelu no 'ties' to the USA, it would probably be wise to spend at least a day or three in the USA doing a few basic things to establish that they intend to live in the USA. Regards, JEff

Thanks Jeff. Yes, that makes sense.

Also - my two cents - you need to come in with your spouce or be here when he comes in.

He can't enter and activate the process without you being with him or in country.

It was the lived in the UK for 25 years that made me wonder. The US citizen will not have paid into medicare in that period, and I have no idea what difference that will make. Especially the ability of a spouse to claim medicare based on her entitlement.

Not only is it your two cents, but it's the law!

Rene