DV holder, travel for GC activation

[evapaula 230]

Hi all, 

My brother was a DV winner and issued his visa back in January and has a plane ticket for May 27th. Now we're wondering if, due to the current hysteria, he should just hop on a plane and come over for a few days to activate it. Not sure where this is going, but if it does become a pandemic, we're worried the US might ban access from certain countries, and his visa would expire before things get better.

My questions are:

- if he comes to the US for about a week, how do things work from there? He becomes a LPR and his GC will be sent to my address, but he'll likely return to home country before it arrives. When he comes for good on May 27th, does he led the plastic card or can be use the visa (which says it serves as gc for a year)? 

Anyone with a recent experience? 

[Crazy Cat 41,893]

When a person with a valid immigrant visa enters the US, he/she receives an endorsement stamp in their passport which become the full-fledged Green card until the plastic one arrives.  It is generally valid for 12 months.  It serves exactly the same purpose as the plastic card.  So, he could immediately exit the US and return on May 27th.

[evapaula 230]

1 hour ago, missileman said:

When a person with a valid immigrant visa enters the US, he/she receives an endorsement stamp in their passport which become the full-fledged Green card until the plastic one arrives.  It is generally valid for 12 months.  It serves exactly the same purpose as the plastic card.  So, he could immediately exit the US and return on May 27th.

Thank you for replying!

So even if the plastic card is issued, he doesn't necessarily have to have it on him when he enters in May? 

[Crazy Cat 41,893]

Just now, evapaula said:

Thank you for replying!

So even if the plastic card is issued, he doesn't necessarily have to have it on him when he enters in May? 

No......He can enter with the stamped passport.....besides, it could take several months for the plastic card to be delivered.  Remember......the card is not the actual status......it is evidence of status.....and so is the stamped passport...

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

11 minutes ago, evapaula said:

Thank you for replying!

So even if the plastic card is issued, he doesn't necessarily have to have it on him when he enters in May? 

Just remember that while the stamped passport is all he needs to enter the US, some airline staff may not be familiar with the stamped visa being a temporary green card - if he gets any kind of hassle about boarding with that he must insist they get someone senior or contact their CBP liaison.

[retheem 566]

On 3/3/2020 at 4:01 PM, evapaula said:

Hi all, 

My brother was a DV winner and issued his visa back in January and has a plane ticket for May 27th. Now we're wondering if, due to the current hysteria, he should just hop on a plane and come over for a few days to activate it. Not sure where this is going, but if it does become a pandemic, we're worried the US might ban access from certain countries, and his visa would expire before things get better.

My questions are:

- if he comes to the US for about a week, how do things work from there? He becomes a LPR and his GC will be sent to my address, but he'll likely return to home country before it arrives. When he comes for good on May 27th, does he led the plastic card or can be use the visa (which says it serves as gc for a year)? 

Anyone with a recent experience? 

Do this; tell him to get on the plane and get to the US asap to activate his status. Take care of that and then he can worry about other things later

[evapaula 230]

23 hours ago, retheem said:

Do this; tell him to get on the plane and get to the US asap to activate his status. Take care of that and then he can worry about other things later

He'll be here next week for just a few days, we decided to go the safe route. 

[retheem 566]

Just now, evapaula said:

He'll be here next week for just a few days, we decided to go the safe route. 

Good! One thing i have learned with this immigration stuff is that one should err on the side of caution