Frequency of trave to USA

[Citizen24 6]

Hi!

Visa category: F3

My grandfather(US citizen) has applied for the green cards of his married daughter, her spouse and their unmarried child (me).

 

Our immigration visa is in process and we're hoping to get our visas by the end of the year.

However, my father wants to keep his business going in India.

 

So, I have a few questions;

1. How long does it take to get our green card once we arrive at the USA?

2. Do we have to give an interview at the USA to obtain our green cards?

3. Does our first visit to USA after obtaining the immigration visa have to be longer? How long ballpark?

4. How often do we have to travel back and forth to the USA to keep our green card? How long should those visits be?

 

 

Also, how long does it take (ballpark) to get a call for the immigration visa interview in the home country (India) after the DS-260 is filed?

And, how long does it take to receive our visas after the interview?

 

Please help.

Sorry for the annoyingly long texts & unending questions, just very anxious.

 

 

[JFH 12,189]

When you arrive with an immigrant visa your passport is stamped and that serves as a temporary green card until the plastic one arrives in the mail. It is just as valid (for a year) as a physical green card. You are a permanent resident upon arrival. The plastic card can take up to 90 days to be mailed to you after you arrive. Note that you must pay the green card fee of $220 each before they will start making your cards.

No interview will take place in the USA - you will have an interview at the local embassy only. 

I'm concerned about your choice of wording here. You are not going to "visit" the USA. Green cards are for permanent residents, not visitors. Your main residence must be in the USA. I'm not going to tell you how long you should be in or out of the USA because I don't want to be part of that. Either you are living in the USA or you aren't. If you aren't, please file an I-407, return your green cards to the government and apply for tourist visas to visit whenever you want. 

 

As you know, the wait for immigrant visas for family members is very long. This is because there is a fixed number that are issued each year. There are people waiting years for them to join family members and to genuinely live in the USA. They would be furious to know you have taken some of the few available visas for this year but intend to use your status just to visit. That's not what green cards are for. If your family is not ready to settle in the USA, cancel the application and let someone else have the visa. 

[Citizen24 6]

Thank you for your response!

 

My father just needs a little time to wind up his existing business in India. My mom & I will be living in the USA from the day we land there.

Once he's completely sure that his associates can handle the business, he will move to the USA too.

 

Also, how long does it take to receive the immigration visa once we have given the interview? What is the validity of the immigration visas?

 

Again, thank you for your response  

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

He should spend more time inside the US than outside the US and  he should never be out of country more than 6 months in a year to avoid the GC being seen as abandoned - however I would not suggest to do this for more than the first year cause that could question his intent to set up residence. Further he needs to keep track of the dates and length of all his stays. Once he qualifies to apply for citizenship the form asks for ALL trips outside of the US in the last 5 years. 
I agree @JFH, he should try to wrap things up as soon as he can and not try to stretch the visits outside US cause that may come back and bite him in the rear.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

There's also the option of him staying in India for a few months extra and then proceed to the US and activate his residency when he is truly ready to move.

[Citizen24 6]

Thank you for your response.

We plan to wrap up before the first year ends, we've already started. I was just asking to be on a safer side.

 

That is the plan!

 

Would you be able to help me with this query?

 

 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

7 minutes ago, uv1996 said:

Thank you for your response.

We plan to wrap up before the first year ends, we've already started. I was just asking to be on a safer side.

 

That is the plan!

 

Would you be able to help me with this query?

 

 

Firstly, It's easier if you use the "quote" button below a response (it will auto-populate your reply field with the quote) rather than entering the link to the thread and responses over and over when you answer.
Secondly, I believe your questions 1-4 have been answered. As for the questions relating to the India embassy you should ask in the local forum.
 

Edited July 28, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[Citizen24 6]

Thank you! I was trying to figure out how to reply to a thread without having to paste the link!

Just now, Suss&Camm said:

Firstly, It's easier if you use the "quote" button below a response (it will auto-populate your reply field with the quote) rather than entering the link to the thread and responses over an over when you answer.
Secondly, I believe your questions 1-4 have been answered. As for the questions relating to the India embassy you should ask in the local forum.
 

Thank you! I was trying to figure out how to reply to a thread without having to paste the link!