I-551 Question

[csh2020 10]

Hello fellow VJers:

 

Is it correct that a I-551 allows up to 6 months to enter the US? Are there risks of not entering until 5 months after receiving the visa?

My stepdaugher's is in a little over 2 weeks and she now has a 2 month old baby (she will need to get a lot of things in order before departing to the US - if her visa is approved). 

 

[aaron2020 11,651]

The immigrant visa will have an expiration date.  The visa holder must enter the US before that date.  Usually, the immigrant visa will expire 6 months from the date issued or 6 months from the date of the medical exam; whichever comes first.

 

The immigrant visa becomes a temporary 1 year I-551 upon endorsement by CBP when the immigrant enters the US.  Before CBP endorsement, it's an immigrant visa and not an I-551.  An important distinction, since an expired immigrant visa gives no right to be a legal permanent resident.  

[Crazy Cat 41,844]

Once an immigrant visa is issued, the visa holder has up to 6 months from the date of the medical exam.  Sometimes, it will be less than 6 months.  My wife was given only 5 months from the date of the medical..  

[csh2020 10]

5 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

Once an immigrant visa is issued, the visa holder has up to 6 months from the date of the medical exam.  Sometimes, it will be less than 6 months.  My wife was given only 5 months from the date of the medical..  

This is very helpful. Thank you!

 

I assume they will tell her at the medical exam. Of course, it will be documented that she had a baby. So, we are expecting that question to possibly come up in the interview. We told her that she needs to be prepared to very briefly discuss her plans, if they ask. 

Edited April 25, 2021 by csh2020

[Dashinka 24,492]

22 minutes ago, csh2020 said:

Hello fellow VJers:

 

Is it correct that a I-551 allows up to 6 months to enter the US? Are there risks of not entering until 5 months after receiving the visa?

My stepdaugher's is in a little over 2 weeks and she now has a 2 month old baby (she will need to get a lot of things in order before departing to the US - if her visa is approved). 

 

When my then fiancé got her K1, she had six months from the interview to use it, and she could not come over immediately either.  She ended up using about 5 months of that period before she came over.  It is a good thing as not everyone can immediately come over when a visa is issued.

 

Good Luck!