Bringing Parents to the U.S - Confused

[Deema & Wayne 28]

Hi everyone,

I'm familiar with how to petition my parents over to the U.S, however, I'm not clear on a few things;

1. after they approved and issued an immigrant visa and pay the fee, is the green card issuance set in motion before they even arrive here? Or do they actually have to enter the U.S for it to be issued and mailed? I know they can't travel once they enter on the immigrant visa and have to wait for the green card but I want to make sure all their affairs are in order before I apply for them.

2. Also, how long can they stay outside of the U.S as a permanent resident? Is it 6 months or a year? They've lived abroad for over 25 years so it's not a quick let's pick up and leave thing. I want to make sure I do this right.

3. Their marriage certificate is in arabic, I'm assuming I have to get that translated but where I'm from women usually keep their maiden names so my last name doesn't match hers (it matches my dad's). How do I prove she's my mother?

Thanks for any insight.

Edited July 6, 2016 by Deema & Wayne

[Caykay1 71]

1.they enter and get the green card mailed to them

2. It's 6 months( I will advise doing at most 5months 3 weeks to prevent any issue at CBP when returning) unless there was some issue like illness or lost of GreenCard when your parents were abroad, then they can extend but that's a long route to go.

3. USCIS can answer you better than me. (Not sure)

[JFH 12,190]

1. Upon arrival into the USA with the immigrant visa the passport will be stamped with an endorsement that acts as a temporary green card before the real plastic card arrives in the mail. They have to put their feet on the ground in the USA before the plastic card is produced. They can travel with the endorsement stamp while they wait for an actual green card.

2. Permanent residency is exactly that - permanent residency. It is for people living in the USA. If they are not ready for that yet, then don't petition for them yet. Green cards are not for people to hop between homes in different countries. They can travel for sure but they shouldn't be living outside the country. Logic says that anything more than 6 months outside the country would mean the USA is not their main residence. They should use a B2 if they want to visit but maintain residency elsewhere. Theoretically they can leave for more than 6 months but they will have some explaining to do when they return. Especially if they make a habit of it.

3. Birth certificate?

[Deema & Wayne 28]

Thank you. Yes, I know what permanent residency is I was asking so I don't petition or start the process until they are ready if it's an issue. Ok great I can use the birth certificate instead. I thought the immigrant visa was a one time entry, is that not the case?

[aleful 1,905]

hi

when they do customs, they will be given a stamp that serves as a temporary green card, valid for 1 year, until they receive the card in the mail, it is best that they pay for the card in their country. the cost for the physical card is $165 each

with the stamp they can travel, work and live in the US until they receive the card in the mail, which can take several months

they shouldn't be out of the country too long, so don't file for them until they are ready to live here

plus the visa will have an expiration date, which is usually 6 months from the medical, so they will have time to prepare

Edited July 6, 2016 by aleful

[JFH 12,190]

thought the immigrant visa was a one time entry, is that not the case?

Yep, the visa is a one-time entry. Upon entry they become LPRs (aka green card holders) and no longer have a visa or need a visa. The visa is just to get them to the door, as it were.

[Deema & Wayne 28]

Oh okay I see what you're saying. They enter with the visa one time and then the stamp is valid for 6 months until the card is issued and they can travel. This helps a lot, thanks everyone!

[aleful 1,905]

Oh okay I see what you're saying. They enter with the visa one time and then the stamp is valid for 6 months until the card is issued and they can travel. This helps a lot, thanks everyone!

hi

no, the visa is valid for 6 months, they have 6 months to enter the country. the i551 stamp is a different one, which will be given to them when they do customs upon entering, and it is valid for 1 year

the visa is given at the Embassy, the i551 stamp is given here in the US when doing customs, they can travel, work and live in the us with the stamp, the visa is a one time entry

[aaron2020 11,651]

Oh okay I see what you're saying. They enter with the visa one time and then the stamp is valid for 6 months until the card is issued and they can travel. This helps a lot, thanks everyone!

You've gotten several things wrong.

The immigration visa is valid for 6 months or when the medical expires; whichever is shorter.

The immigration visa upon entry is endorsed and becomes a 1 year temporary green card (I-551). They can travel with this. Issuance of the plastic green card does not invalidate this temporary green card.

[Deema & Wayne 28]

Thanks everyone, I get it now. Visa is valid for 6 months (they have 6 months to enter), then the stamp is valid for a year and they can travel while waiting.