I-551 visa timeline to permanently move to US

[VisaQuestion1 0]

Hi All, we live in the UK. I am a US citizen and my spouse (originally from India) just received his I-551 immigration visa for the US which would be converted to a greencard once we enter the US. The expiration date on his visa says June. However is it possible to extend this expiration date to travel to US at a later time? If so, how long can we extend to? Also, we are told that once he enters the US with this visa, there will be paperwork after which he receives his greencard mailed to the US address in 8 months. Is it possible to return back to UK before the greencard is received and have the greencard mailed to us in the UK? Essentially what we are asking is, is it fine to continue to live in the UK with this US immigration visa / greencard without adversely affecting the chances of becoming a US resident / citizen. If so, for how long? Thanks for your help!

[EA and MK 48]

3 hours ago, VisaQuestion1 said:

Hi All, we live in the UK. I am a US citizen and my spouse (originally from India) just received his I-551 immigration visa for the US which would be converted to a greencard once we enter the US. The expiration date on his visa says June. However is it possible to extend this expiration date to travel to US at a later time? If so, how long can we extend to? Also, we are told that once he enters the US with this visa, there will be paperwork after which he receives his greencard mailed to the US address in 8 months. Is it possible to return back to UK before the greencard is received and have the greencard mailed to us in the UK? Essentially what we are asking is, is it fine to continue to live in the UK with this US immigration visa / greencard without adversely affecting the chances of becoming a US resident / citizen. If so, for how long? Thanks for your help!

An immigrant visa is for someone who wants to live in the US as a legal permanent resident (LPR). You've stated, by filling out DS-260 and having an I-130 approved (most likely again at the interview too), that you have all intentions for your primary place of abode/domicile to be in the US. Thus it would not look good to continue living in the UK only to keep a US green card. You cannot extend the validity of the visa, and should make an effort to enter the US on that visa prior to expiration. The consulate may renew the visa, but will probably ask for an explanation of extenuating circumstances as to why you were unable to use it; as well as also ask you to redo the medical exam. That really is at their discretion though, and it may result in you needing to refile if they don't want to renew your visa. Once you enter for the first time to "activate the green card" and leave, you have up to 1 year to return to avoid losing LPR status. You may extend this by filing for an extension with USCIS, prior to leaving the US. The GC will be mailed to the address you've listed on the DS-260 being your intended primary address. Being out of the US does hinder your ability to apply for citizenship down the road, as you must maintain continuous presence in the US for years prior to applying for citizenship.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

When asking a lot of questions like that it’s much easier if you number them. Anyway the two most important answers are (1) no they normally do not extend expiry (this actually technically would be a reissue involving fees being paid again, medical done again etc) without a very good reason and sometimes they won’t even consider it (2) no you cannot maintain a green card if you live elsewhere. There are residency requirements to maintain. The green card will be considered abandoned, much less those circumstances would never meet the continuous residence and physical presence requirements for citizenship.