Activate immigrant visa, green card residency requirements

[JoelNeil 0]

Hey folks, I'm debating whether to activate my immigration visa that I got through the green card lottery now or wait another month?!

 

I'm planning to move in about 6 months. But I'll have to leave twice for a few days as well (finishing up the last few strings at home)

 

I'm worried I might not be led back in because technically I stayed away for 6 months already after activating the permeant residency. How is that during the first year?

 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

3 hours ago, JoelNeil said:

Hey folks, I'm debating whether to activate my immigration visa that I got through the green card lottery now or wait another month?!

 

I'm planning to move in about 6 months. But I'll have to leave twice for a few days as well (finishing up the last few strings at home)

 

I'm worried I might not be led back in because technically I stayed away for 6 months already after activating the permeant residency. How is that during the first year?

 

Back and forths are never a good idea, they will almost certainly still let you in but why have unnecessary potentially harsh questioning by CBP? If there’s no pressing need to activate right now (ie visa not about to expire or an unavoidable trip to the US)  I’d say wait a month and then make your proper move in 6 months or whatever.

[JoelNeil 0]

I'm also a bit worried giving my job notice before I activated. Do people usually wrap everything up as soon as they have the immigration package in their hands? You could still be refused for some reason when the officer checks your immigration package?!

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

The entry is a formality. All the hard work is done in getting the visa. But if you’re not moving immediately, why resign now?

some people do the whole move when they activate their visas, others activate then go back home and wrap things up before making a permanent move. Entirely dependent on individual circumstances. Those with less disposable cash (especially flying families from other continents) and those who are singles or couples without many ties (no kids in school, homes to sell etc) tend to be the ones who move all at once, while those who need to sort out more stuff tend to activate then move later.

Edited May 8, 2018 by SusieQQQ