Moving Dates Question?

[ExpatFamily06 0]

Hi all. I'm not exactly sure if this is the correct forum to post on but I'm gonna try. If anyone can point me to the correct forum in case this isn't, that'd be great.

I am getting ready to start the process for moving my family back to the US by Summer 2015. My question is in regards to the visa after my husband receives it. I know that once he receives it, we need to be in the US within 6 months. Can we go to the US to "activate" the visa and then leave again for a few months and then come back to the US for good or not?

We're trying to plan this out as much as possible in order for my children to move to the US and start the school year with the other children. Wishful hoping, I know. The US embassy of London website is currently showing that the I-130 petition should be filed at least 10 months prior to wanting to move. Is this basically saying that the whole process from start to finish should essentially only take about a year?

I just want to know that if we started the process now, and say my husband received the visa around the time between December 2014 and April 2015, could we all just go to the US for Christmas or Easter to activate the visa, come back to England for my kids to finish school in July, and then make our permanent move to the US right after that in mid July?

I REALLY hope I'm not confusing as I type this. Thank you for any help you can give me!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Yes. When he enters, he will get a I-551 notation in his passport indicating he is a permanent resident. He could leave the next day and that notation serves as a greencard for re-entry until he receives the actual card in the mail a few weeks later.

Maintaining permanent residence has some rules about being out of the US for long periods of time. That is best explained by the USCIS http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/international-travel-permanent-resident

[ExpatFamily06 0]

Yes. When he enters, he will get a I-551 notation in his passport indicating he is a permanent resident. He could leave the next day and that notation serves as a greencard for re-entry until he receives the actual card in the mail a few weeks later.

Maintaining permanent residence has some rules about being out of the US for long periods of time. That is best explained by the USCIS http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/international-travel-permanent-resident

Thank you so much for that link! That's very helpful.