How long after green card do I have to move to US?

[Hans Martin 2]

Hi, 

 

So My wife and I just applied for the i-130 and got a NOA1 17th of April. Is it fair to expect 6-7 months until the whole process is ended and 

I get the green card if we don't get a RFE?

 

And how long after the green card is issued do we need to move to America in order to obtain it? 

The reason I'm asking this is that I might be getting a new job soon, and I don't want to have to tell them that I need to bail after 6-7 months. But If I could put the green card on hold for a few months Let's say 6 months, that would be great!

 

All the best, and thanks to you all on the forum!

[A'n'L 735]

Currently, the processing time for a CR1 visa is a year or maybe more.

 

You will not receive a GC until after arrival in the US. The immigrant visa is valid for six months after the date of the medical exam (usually taken a few weeks prior to the interview). You can also delay the processing at the NCC or consulate stage, if needed.

[Hans Martin 2]

Thanks for answering.

 

Where do you get that number from? Is there an official page with processing times?

According to other websites I have found, they say 6-7 months is average wait for the "IR1" (Since we have been married for over 2 years).

But I don't know if IR1 and CR1 wait times are the same either.

[Auds 223]

If your papers got routed to Nebraska USCIS will easily take 6-7 months then on to NVC you pay online, send further docs etc and another month minimal passes by at this stage you can delay sending documents - you have up to a year,  NVC then currently take about 3 months after they receive documents.  

 

then most embassies give an interview date about 45-60 days after CC.

 

So a year for sure and you can delay at NVC if its too fast for you...

[Unlockable 7,314]

IR/CR takes about a year. In some cases it takes less. But you should not make plans that revolve around a 6 month timeline. Anything can happen.

 

The timelines are shared by members here who go through the process. Just like how you started your timeline. That information is saved on the sites database. If you look at the top of the webpage you can see a tab named "Immigration Timelines". You can review current times of various visas and can even filter it down to the timelines for a specific country.

 

Being married for 2 years means that when you enter the US you will get a 10 year green card instead of the 2 year conditional green card. Still the timelines are the same. Approximately 1 year.

[Hans Martin 2]

1 minute ago, NuestraUnion said:

IR/CR takes about a year. In some cases it takes less. But you should not make plans that revolve around a 6 month timeline. Anything can happen.

 

The timelines are shared by members here who go through the process. Just like how you started your timeline. That information is saved on the sites database. If you look at the top of the webpage you can see a tab named "Immigration Timelines". You can review current times of various visas and can even filter it down to the timelines for a specific country.

 

Being married for 2 years means that when you enter the US you will get a 10 year green card instead of the 2 year conditional green card. Still the timelines are the same. Approximately 1 year.

 

Thanks for a great answer! Just wondering though...

 

How long could i possibly delay moving to the US after getting approved? Let's just say that it took 10 months for our visa to go through;

Would I have to move straight away, or is there a grace period to let us being able to plan and execute the move? 

[Unlockable 7,314]

We have seen members delay the process by scheduling the interview as far in advance as possible. This bought them a few months.  And I remember a couple of cases where the members called and requested to put their case on hold. This was because they needed to remain in their country for a couple of years. But when they did that they had to contact the embassy every year to let them know to keep the case "active" so to speak.

 

I will have to do some digging but if I come across those threads I will post them for you to review. You can also try to search for similar topics in the meantime.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

As mentioned, you have 6 months after your medical, so just under 6 months after the interview to move, if you are approved.  There is no grace period, your visa will have an expiration date on it and you have to move before that.

[JFH 12,190]

Why are you worried about having to tell your employer you will be leaving soon? Isn't that the plan? To leave everything and start a new life in the US? 

[Hans Martin 2]

54 minutes ago, NuestraUnion said:

We have seen members delay the process by scheduling the interview as far in advance as possible. This bought them a few months.  And I remember a couple of cases where the members called and requested to put their case on hold. This was because they needed to remain in their country for a couple of years. But when they did that they had to contact the embassy every year to let them know to keep the case "active" so to speak.

 

I will have to do some digging but if I come across those threads I will post them for you to review. You can also try to search for similar topics in the meantime.

 

Okay, that makes sense. Thanks for the information

 

23 minutes ago, JFH said:

Why are you worried about having to tell your employer you will be leaving soon? Isn't that the plan? To leave everything and start a new life in the US? 

 

It's a bit complicated, but I'm finishing a bachelors degree, and I really need a steady job until we are moving. I've just had a part time job during my studies. So I just dont want to get the job and have to quit a few months later. It's just a bit awkward and disrespectful to them, if you know what I'm saying?

[inloveVEN 46]

 

1 hour ago, Hans Martin said:

 

Thanks for a great answer! Just wondering though...

 

How long could i possibly delay moving to the US after getting approved? Let's just say that it took 10 months for our visa to go through;

Would I have to move straight away, or is there a grace period to let us being able to plan and execute the move? 

After the immigration visa is approved this visa will be valid for 6 month. so you need to enter during this time

[nightingalejules 678]

10 hours ago, Hans Martin said:

 

Thanks for a great answer! Just wondering though...

 

How long could i possibly delay moving to the US after getting approved? Let's just say that it took 10 months for our visa to go through;

Would I have to move straight away, or is there a grace period to let us being able to plan and execute the move? 

You can't delay (past the 6months) after getting approved.

When people talk about delaying at the NVC stage, that's before you have your interview. Each stage of the NVC process requires input from you (a form, or a payment, or further documentation, etc). So you can delay the process by not sending that next piece of input for awhile.

Once your interview is scheduled, you could ask to reschedule it for a later date, but once you have interviewed, been approved, and get your passport back with the visa in it, you have 6 months to make the big move.

[Jens79 64]

Another way would be to make a quick visit to the US anytime from when you get you visa until 6 months after your medical. When you get your visa stamped it will become a temporary green card, and you are from that moment a resident of the United States. You can get on a flight back to Norway the same day if you like to, or spend a few days in the US, and go back to finish your business in Norway. You can be away from the US for up to a year, but it's advisable to keep it shorter. If you need 7 months extra time before you actually move to the US, you can first wait 4-5 months, then travel to the US, get your visa stamped and then go back to Norway for a few more months, now as a Greencard-holder.

[Hans Martin 2]

9 hours ago, Jens79 said:

Another way would be to make a quick visit to the US anytime from when you get you visa until 6 months after your medical. When you get your visa stamped it will become a temporary green card, and you are from that moment a resident of the United States. You can get on a flight back to Norway the same day if you like to, or spend a few days in the US, and go back to finish your business in Norway. You can be away from the US for up to a year, but it's advisable to keep it shorter. If you need 7 months extra time before you actually move to the US, you can first wait 4-5 months, then travel to the US, get your visa stamped and then go back to Norway for a few more months, now as a Greencard-holder.

That's really smart actually! Makes me less worried about the move. Thanks for the tip.

[Thesmiths2016 117]

IR1 or CR1 visas are taking about a year to process at present. Mine too 13.5months but could have been completed in 12 months if it wasn't for a couple of unexpected delays.  If you needed to delay further you can do so at NVC stage by just not sending everything straight away.  

If you do what Hans has suggested just above, you need to apply for a resident return visa BEFORE you leave the USA.  At my interview they advised me of this.  Until you get the greencard in the mail this is advisable, to ensure you're able to come back in with no issues.  However they may ask for a return date. Therefore the "same day" plan may not work too well.  But visiting then returning back to norway is certainly an option for you. 

 

If you choose to delay, I would suggest doing so at NVC stage (when they are asking you to send your IV and AOS packages in), because your other option is moving your interview date... but the consulate may question you more if they see you keep delaying the interview.