Immigrant visa expired....Suggestions Please

[ARVIN 0]

Hey everybody,

I have a problem with my mom's visa.My mom had been a Permanent resident for 2 years.She went home to Philippines and couldn't come back within a year,thereby losing her Permanent Resident status.So I applied for an immigrant visa.Filed I 130 etc...She had her interview in May and was granted a visa.

I made plans to go home in July and booked tickets for all of us including my mom to return in august.My family just informed me that the visa that was granted expired on the 16 of June.I would like to know whats the time limit for a immigrant visa holder to come to the US.

I would be glad if anybody actually guide me through this and tell me what can be done and how to go about it.Do I have to start the process all over again or can I make an appointment and get an extension.

Thanks in advance to everybody in VJ.

[YuAndDan 153]

An immigrant visa should be valid for 6 months after it is issued. Sounds like hers was valid for only 1 month??

I would be contacting the consulate and be asking about this.

Also why did you not try for a returning resident visa SB-1?

In order to qualify as a returning resident, individuals must apply at the U.S. Embassy to demonstrate to a consular officer that they departed the U.S. with the intention of returning after a stay of less than one (1) year abroad, and their failure to return to the U.S. as planned must be shown to have been for reasons beyond the individual’s control.

MORE: http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3206.html

[ARVIN 0]

An immigrant visa should be valid for 6 months after it is issued. Sounds like hers was valid for only 1 month??

I would be contacting the consulate and be asking about this.

Also why did you not try for a returning resident visa SB-1?

In order to qualify as a returning resident, individuals must apply at the U.S. Embassy to demonstrate to a consular officer that they departed the U.S. with the intention of returning after a stay of less than one (1) year abroad, and their failure to return to the U.S. as planned must be shown to have been for reasons beyond the individual’s control.

MORE: http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3206.html

Thanks so much for your help YuAndDan.Ill check into it.