First Entry to USA before Marriage

[chameleon81 0]

Hi,

I won the greencard lottery and received my migrant visa on my passport June 2010. I have to enter USA before 5th January. Originally I and my girlfriend were going to marry before I enter USA in order to qualify her for follow-to-join procedure. 2 days ago I learned from this forum that it won't be possible since we missed the deadline for it.

Now I plan to enter US first ( flights are much cheaper and shorter from UK ) and then go to Colombia from USA the next week but I have 2 concerns about this plan

1- Can I leave the US and travel to another destination just couple of days after the initial entrance?

2- We still want to get marry and live together in the US. Does it make now a difference whether I enter US before or after marriage? If it does could you please tell me what the difference would be?

Thank you

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

Hi,

I won the greencard lottery and received my migrant visa on my passport June 2010. I have to enter USA before 5th January. Originally I and my girlfriend were going to marry before I enter USA in order to qualify her for follow-to-join procedure. 2 days ago I learned from this forum that it won't be possible since we missed the deadline for it.

Now I plan to enter US first ( flights are much cheaper and shorter from UK ) and then go to Colombia from USA the next week but I have 2 concerns about this plan

1- Can I leave the US and travel to another destination just couple of days after the initial entrance?

2- We still want to get marry and live together in the US. Does it make now a difference whether I enter US before or after marriage? If it does could you please tell me what the difference would be?

Thank you

I assume u meant june 2011. You can enter and depart the USA days after and travel to another destination yes. Well you cant get marry now.. since you have to enter as how you were processed & you're right she wouldnt qualify for any benefits. You can marry after you are admitted and the process will take 2-3 years to get her here. Any other missing info i'm sure you'll receive.

[Jojo92122 1,924]

Hi,

I won the greencard lottery and received my migrant visa on my passport June 2010. I have to enter USA before 5th January. Originally I and my girlfriend were going to marry before I enter USA in order to qualify her for follow-to-join procedure. 2 days ago I learned from this forum that it won't be possible since we missed the deadline for it.

Now I plan to enter US first ( flights are much cheaper and shorter from UK ) and then go to Colombia from USA the next week but I have 2 concerns about this plan

1- Can I leave the US and travel to another destination just couple of days after the initial entrance?

2- We still want to get marry and live together in the US. Does it make now a difference whether I enter US before or after marriage? If it does could you please tell me what the difference would be?

Thank you

1. Yes. Once you enter the US on your immigrant visa, you automatically become a legal permanent resident (LPR). The immigration visa in your passpot becomes a temporary green card that's valid for one year once it is stamped I-551. You can use it to re-enter the US after your trip.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/145496-temporary-i-551-stamp-in-passport-and-travel/

http://immigration.findlaw.com/immigration/immigration-green-card/travel-while-awaiting-green-card.html

When I came to USA, I was a permanent resident. I am still waiting for green card delivery. I would like to visit my family outside the USA, but am afraid I will not be let back in to the USA. What should I do?

Because you are already a permanent resident, unlike someone still waiting for their status to change (see above), you should still be able to travel without a green card. When you came to the USA, the border officer stamped your passport, indicating your status as a permanent resident. This stamp has an expiration date (usually six months from the time it was stamped). As long as you re-enter the USA before that stamped expiration date, you are free to travel and will be able to re-enter the USA upon your return.

In addition to checking this stamped expiration date, you should also check the date when your passport itself expires -- usually, this date is located on the same page as your photo. If this date has passed or will pass while you are out of the USA, you need to renew your passport. To renew your passport online, go to the USCIS website passport renewal package page. Keep the old passport with you because it has your permanent residence stamp in it! While you are away, leave a copy of your passport and permanent residence stamp with someone in the USA. That way, if your passport gets lost or stolen, someone can fax a copy of your passport and permanent residence stamp to the closest U.S. consulate or embassy near you. The U.S. consulate or embassy will then help enable you to travel without a green card.

Be careful not to stay outside the USA for too long or do anything else that might look like you intend to live outside the USA. Many people have lost their permanent residence through abandonment. Keeping your visit outside the USA under six months is probably safe. If you know you will be outside the USA for longer than one year, you need to plan ahead and apply for a Reentry Permit. You can do this through the USCIS forms website.

2. It doesn't matter if you marry her before or after you immigrate to the US. The process will still be the same; LPR petitioning for a spouse in the F2a family preference category.

Edited November 2, 2011 by Jojo92122