I-551 stamp and green card

[stevenham 0]

Long story short, my mother needs to get a green card, but doesn't necessarily need to maintain it for more than a year.

We are both living outside of the US.

I filed the i-130 petition about a month ago and was approved. We are currently scheduled for an interview at the embassy a month from now.

After reading through some stuff online, I am under the impression that an i-551 stamp is given if the interview is approved at the embassy. Is this correct? Is this stamp any different from the actual green card? My mother only needs proof that she is a green card holder and I'm curious as to whether the i-551 stamp is technically a temporary green card. If she doesn't go to the US after getting approved to pick up her green card, what happens?

Regarding the affidavit of support, because I am not currently residing in the US, I am ineligible to financially sponsor my mother, but we do have a friend that will co-sponsor. I do have a licence and bank account in the US, but other than that I have no other real ties to the US. Does me, as the petitioner, not living in the US not matter in this situation? I'm assuming it's okay since my petition was approved.

Any input or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank You.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Since you did not mention what consulate you are dealing with, I will answer based on what I know from my own.

No, if approved your mother will receive an immigrant visa. When she crossed into the US, an I551 stamp will be placed in her passport acting as her temporary green card until she receives her hard copy.

Now, if she does not travel to the US, she will lose her immigrant visa status.

The burning question, why does she need a green card if she does not intend to become a resident?

Finally, if you would like to share your consulate, this answer may change

good luck

[kzielu 1,149]

Long story short, my mother needs to get a green card, but doesn't necessarily need to maintain it for more than a year.

We are both living outside of the US.

I filed the i-130 petition about a month ago and was approved. We are currently scheduled for an interview at the embassy a month from now.

After reading through some stuff online, I am under the impression that an i-551 stamp is given if the interview is approved at the embassy. Is this correct? Is this stamp any different from the actual green card? My mother only needs proof that she is a green card holder and I'm curious as to whether the i-551 stamp is technically a temporary green card. If she doesn't go to the US after getting approved to pick up her green card, what happens?

Regarding the affidavit of support, because I am not currently residing in the US, I am ineligible to financially sponsor my mother, but we do have a friend that will co-sponsor. I do have a licence and bank account in the US, but other than that I have no other real ties to the US. Does me, as the petitioner, not living in the US not matter in this situation? I'm assuming it's okay since my petition was approved.

Any input or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank You.

She gets a stamp/ green card when entering US. Until then, all she has is visa which is meaningless until used. Yes, it does matter that you do not live in US and it likely will be an issue during interview.

[stevenham 0]

Since you did not mention what consulate you are dealing with, I will answer based on what I know from my own.

No, if approved your mother will receive an immigrant visa. When she crossed into the US, an I551 stamp will be placed in her passport acting as her temporary green card until she receives her hard copy.

Now, if she does not travel to the US, she will lose her immigrant visa status.

The burning question, why does she need a green card if she does not intend to become a resident?

Finally, if you would like to share your consulate, this answer may change

good luck

We are dealing with the South Korean embassy.

Alright, so I guess she does indeed need to travel to the US.

The reason for her getting a green card is complicated, but to put it simply,

There is a visa that is granted to foreigners of Korean heritage in Korea. It's pretty much a permanent residency visa. In order for me to qualify, at least one of my parents needs to have obtained a foreign citizenship, or hold/have had a permanent residency of another country. Neither of my parents fall into those categories. Though probably a loophole in the system, as long as my mother gets a green card, I will qualify for that visa in Korea. They just need proof that she has/had a green card which is why she doesn't necessarily need to maintain or live in the states.

[velrich 50]

The visa (I-551) is placed in her passport by the consulate when she is approved and it has an expiration date.

If she does not enter the US before the expiry date she will not get a green card.

[newacct 688]

The visa (I-551) is placed in her passport

The visa is not an I-551. I-551 means green card. The visa after being stamped on entry becomes an I-551.