6 months to take up Visa
#17
Re: 6 months to take up Visa
Hi, we have had our letter today for my husband's visa appointment at the US embassy in London on 30 Jan. I know we have 6 months to "activate" it and from what I have read here it seems OK for us to just travel to the US on a holiday and then come back here while we wait for our house to sell.
Has anyone had any trouble going back to the US after the visa has been activated and you have returned to the Uk for a spell? Is there a length of time that is too long for us to be away and will give us problems when we re-enter?
Anything else we should think of?
Thanks in advance
ALi
Has anyone had any trouble going back to the US after the visa has been activated and you have returned to the Uk for a spell? Is there a length of time that is too long for us to be away and will give us problems when we re-enter?
Anything else we should think of?
Thanks in advance
ALi
As you have read, you can (and many, many people have + posted their experiences) enter the US with an immigrant visa and then leave immediately if necessary, to complete your business in the Old Country.
However, 2 caveats because the IV bearer becomes a Permanent Resident at that entry:
--If you are selling real estate abroad, make sure you understand any capital gains tax potential. None of us is certain what that might be for any one individual, but MrF does keep mentioning it and it seems worth repeating.
--Now that he is a PR, the OH should be careful about his time outside of the US. The US is meant to be his primary home and an absence of 6+ months will affect his schedule for naturalization.
This article outlines the POE procedure: Arriving In America: Navigating the POE
London is getting notoriously difficult to email--you are not the only one to have your email deleted unread.
Follow FB's suggestions for getting the mail actually delivered.
It's all getting close!
I heard USC spouses can't go to the London visa interviews anymore.. did you get any notice about that?
#18
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 16,266
Re: 6 months to take up Visa
Hi:
A lot of people enter to obtain LPR and then toodle on back to wind up their affairs.
However, if you are selling your house in the UK and it is worth more now then when you bought it -- give serious thought as to the timing. Once you take up LPR, you are are a resident for US tax purposes. I do NOT know the in-N-outs of this -- just that it is an issue.
A lot of people enter to obtain LPR and then toodle on back to wind up their affairs.
However, if you are selling your house in the UK and it is worth more now then when you bought it -- give serious thought as to the timing. Once you take up LPR, you are are a resident for US tax purposes. I do NOT know the in-N-outs of this -- just that it is an issue.
#19
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1
Re: 6 months to take up Visa
Hi,
Great news about your husband's interview! I was just wondering - how long did it take from the time you sent in the letter stating you/he were ready for the interview to the US embassy replying with an interview date?
We just sent in our letter a few days ago and was just wondering how long I would have to wait! Know it is depends on the type of visa! - I am a USC sponsoring my husband.
Thanks!
Great news about your husband's interview! I was just wondering - how long did it take from the time you sent in the letter stating you/he were ready for the interview to the US embassy replying with an interview date?
We just sent in our letter a few days ago and was just wondering how long I would have to wait! Know it is depends on the type of visa! - I am a USC sponsoring my husband.
Thanks!
#20
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 69
Re: 6 months to take up Visa
Someone I know got their letter 2 weeks afetr they posted the forms and their appointment was 6 weeks later, so either they got more efficient or there are fewer applications at this time of year...
#21
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 69
Re: 6 months to take up Visa
Update:
got a response from my email to the embassy (yes...even though I got an automated email telling me the email had been deleted without being read!).
So here is the official view from the Embassy (bearing in mind that they are not part of Immigration!)
On issuance of the visas, you should use them to travel to the U.S. before the expiry date. The US petitioner is required to either travel to the U.S. ahead of your initial entry on the visa, or travel with you.
"Your passports will be stamped on arrival at the port of entry into the United States. Upon endorsement the immigrant visa will serve as temporary evidence of Permanent Residence and will be valid for one year. If you have to leave the United States you may do so and then return on the endorsed visa provided it is still valid. There is no time limit required to remain in the U.S. before leaving again. "
Interestingly they also said we have to bring the kids into the appointment and had NOW scheduled them for an appointment at the same time as my husband. Not sure how we are going to entertain them for 2 hours at the embassy...I can't wait! Wish us luck the appointment is on Weds 30 8.30 am!
got a response from my email to the embassy (yes...even though I got an automated email telling me the email had been deleted without being read!).
So here is the official view from the Embassy (bearing in mind that they are not part of Immigration!)
On issuance of the visas, you should use them to travel to the U.S. before the expiry date. The US petitioner is required to either travel to the U.S. ahead of your initial entry on the visa, or travel with you.
"Your passports will be stamped on arrival at the port of entry into the United States. Upon endorsement the immigrant visa will serve as temporary evidence of Permanent Residence and will be valid for one year. If you have to leave the United States you may do so and then return on the endorsed visa provided it is still valid. There is no time limit required to remain in the U.S. before leaving again. "
Interestingly they also said we have to bring the kids into the appointment and had NOW scheduled them for an appointment at the same time as my husband. Not sure how we are going to entertain them for 2 hours at the embassy...I can't wait! Wish us luck the appointment is on Weds 30 8.30 am!
#22
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4
Re: 6 months to take up Visa
In the UK, they'll put a sticky MRV (machine readable visa) in your passport and give you a large sealed envelope to carry (unopened!!!) across the pond. When you arrive, they'll stamp the MRV and this is temporary proof of your permanent resident status. Then around 2 or 3 weeks after you arrive, they'll mail your green cards (proof of permanent resident status) to your US address. Only presumably you won't have one! This is a problem.
Any info would be great. Cheers Rob
#23
Re: 6 months to take up Visa
Hi, was wondering if you could help me out with a question i had. I have my orange visa parcel and i have my passport sticky mrv but my port of entry is Chicago then we connect to Detroit (our last stop). We have a 4 hour lay over. How long does the processing take at the port of entry? I worried i may miss my next flight
Any info would be great. Cheers Rob
Any info would be great. Cheers Rob
#24
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4
Re: 6 months to take up Visa
Thanks for replying so quickly, this forum is great. Is there any information anywhere (i,e, websites etc) about the port of entry procedure/times etc? Do they take you to one side or is it just done at the normal window where you show your passport? I guess 4 hours will be okay but if it is cutting it fine, perhaps we could change our flight now, probably be less expensive than on the day. Any ideas?
Cheers
Rob
Cheers
Rob
#25
Re: 6 months to take up Visa
Thanks for replying so quickly, this forum is great. Is there any information anywhere (i,e, websites etc) about the port of entry procedure/times etc? Do they take you to one side or is it just done at the normal window where you show your passport? I guess 4 hours will be okay but if it is cutting it fine, perhaps we could change our flight now, probably be less expensive than on the day. Any ideas?
Cheers
Rob
Cheers
Rob
#26
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4
Re: 6 months to take up Visa
We fly from Manchester on a Monday morning so hopefully it will all go smoothly. I think you are right, that 4 hours should be plenty. If I miss my flight because of the processing maybe they would put me on a later flight anyway if i mention this if thing look like they are going slowly. Thanks for the advice. Can't believe how long this process takes. We married in September last year and started the paperwork, only just got my visa this morning. At least it's here
Cheers Rob
Cheers Rob
#27
Re: 6 months to take up Visa
Thanks for replying so quickly, this forum is great. Is there any information anywhere (i,e, websites etc) about the port of entry procedure/times etc? Do they take you to one side or is it just done at the normal window where you show your passport? I guess 4 hours will be okay but if it is cutting it fine, perhaps we could change our flight now, probably be less expensive than on the day. Any ideas?
Cheers
Rob
Cheers
Rob
I think a 4-hour layover should be plenty.
Hey, yours was quick! Only 8 months! Ours took 14!
Rene
#28
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 69
Re: 6 months to take up Visa
The processing for my hubby and kids took about 15 minutes in total - at San Francisco airport. We were the only ones in the new immigrant queue.
Good luck
Good luck
#29
Re: 6 months to take up Visa
Thanks for replying so quickly, this forum is great. Is there any information anywhere (i,e, websites etc) about the port of entry procedure/times etc? Do they take you to one side or is it just done at the normal window where you show your passport? I guess 4 hours will be okay but if it is cutting it fine, perhaps we could change our flight now, probably be less expensive than on the day. Any ideas?
Cheers
Rob
Cheers
Rob
Our experience was also about 15 minutes. The part you can not predict is how many people will be waiting in front of you to be checked in.
#30
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4
Re: 6 months to take up Visa
Thanks for the help. I don't know how i missed that link but i read it through and it answers everything. Perfect.
I look forward to my 'bunch of roses' at my POE.
Cheers
Rob
I look forward to my 'bunch of roses' at my POE.
Cheers
Rob