tatania

Our family recently won at the Green Card Lottery (DV). We had the interview this week, and the famous “congratulations” !
We are now waiting for our passports to come back with the visa papers in it.

I know that the visa is valid 6 months.
I know that we have to do an activation trip during this period.
After this first trip, we have a period of 1 year to move to the States, otherwise we have to ask for a re-entry permit.

After many researches, I can not find official answers to theses questions ?

1- When this 1 year delay starts to run ? From the visa delivery date ? or from the date of entry in the States ?

2- Does any one has an official link with theses informations ?

3- How about the petitioner moving first, and the rest of the family going later. Will the delay be the same ?


We are very happy of moving to the States, but before we need to sell the house
6 months might be a bit short to sell the house, and organize a new life in the States for a family of 4 !

I’d be very happy if someone has a clue on theses tricky questions !
Thanks for reading,

Tania

Noorah101

Well, you must use the visa within that period.

Not quite. The first time you use the visa to enter the USA, you ARE moving to the USA. After that time, the USA will be your permanent home. You can apply for a re-entry permit if you think you'll be outside the USA longer than a year, but your permanent residence will still be the USA. If you want to apply for a re-entry permit, be aware that you should stay in the USA long enough to apply and get the biometrics done....which could be several weeks at least. Also make sure you have a US mailing address for your green card and social security cards to get to.

It's not a 1-year delay. The counting of 1 year outside the USA starts the day you leave the USA.

The petitioner can move first, within 6 months after getting the visa. The rest of the family must move to the USA within 6 months after getting their visas.

There is no delay time. You have 6 months to use the visa, period. After that, the USA will be your new home. However, with a re-entry permit, you are allowed to stay outside the USA for up to 2 years...IF you can prove that you have made the USA your permanent residence and that you maintain ties there, pay US taxes, etc.

Rene

Rete

Can't help with #3 as it might differ from Marriage-based IR/Green card visas.

But you are incorrect on the one year out of the country notation. Once the visa is activated at the POE, you can turn around and go back but six months is normally the rule of thumb. Yes, if you are going to be out of the US for one year or more (up to 2 years) you need a re-entry permit and the instructions are on the form I-131 which you need to complete and mail from within the US as you will have to go for biometrics before the I-131 is issued.

meauxna

Congratulations!

First of all, this article might help: Arriving In America: Navigating the POE

tatania

Thank you very much for all your answers.
Well, well, well... we'd better sell our house as quickly as possible !


Thanks again.
Tania