Steps for Permanent residence

[Caesar15 2]

Hey guys, 

i just got my visa for US immigration (family sponsor based), i know that i should travel to US before the expiry date of my visa.  The thing is that i cannot move to the US right away but i need to get my greencard. Can you please clarify the necessary steps for the permanent residence? How long does it take to get it? If i pay USCIS fees before travelling, does it accelerate the process? Should I receive it in person or someone can get it instead of me. 

[Verrou 1,949]

go to the US to activate ur GC, wait for ur plastic GC, go back to your home country (make sure its not over 180 days) and come back to the US again. even if you pay USCIS fee, there's no guarantee it will come in timely manner. it sporadic, some people got it in 30 days, some people wait for 9 months. you should pay before travelling still just in case. u dont need to receive it in person, they wont require signature but make sure its the right address

[Caesar15 2]

2 minutes ago, Verrou said:

go to the US to activate ur GC, wait for ur plastic GC, go back to your home country (make sure its not over 180 days) and come back to the US again. even if you pay USCIS fee, there's no guarantee it will come in timely manner. it sporadic, some people got it in 30 days, some people wait for 9 months. you should pay before travelling still just in case. u dont need to receive it in person, they wont require signature but make sure its the right address

You mean i need to wait for the plastic gc before i return back to home country ? Can i go back and have someone mail it to me ?

[Boiler 44,943]

44 minutes ago, Caesar15 said:

You mean i need to wait for the plastic gc before i return back to home country ? Can i go back and have someone mail it to me ?

Yes

 

How long will you be gone?

[Caesar15 2]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

Yes

 

How long will you be gone?

Im planning on staying for one week in the US just to activate GC then i will return to my home country. I will put my friend’s address and she will receive the GC and then she will mail it to me. I will return to the US within 180days for sure. Is this plan feasible ?

[Boiler 44,943]

Yes

[OldUser 6,109]

6 hours ago, Caesar15 said:

Im planning on staying for one week in the US just to activate GC then i will return to my home country. I will put my friend’s address and she will receive the GC and then she will mail it to me. I will return to the US within 180days for sure. Is this plan feasible ?

As long as you're OK with a risk of GC getting lost in transit. I vote for leaving the US with GC in hand.

Edited December 20, 2023 by OldUser

[Lil bear 4,083]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

As long as you're OK with a risk of GC getting lost in transit. I vote for leaving the US with GC in hand.

I used the stamped visa. It is valid for 12 months from entry. No need to wait for the GC and no need to risk getting it mailed to you 

Edited December 20, 2023 by Lil bear

[Caesar15 2]

6 hours ago, Lil bear said:

I used the stamped visa. It is valid for 12 months from entry. No need to wait for the GC and no need to risk getting it mailed to you 

So i can return back to my home country and the GC finishes, i will return back to US and get my GC. Sounds a good plan ?

[appleblossom 1,950]

6 hours ago, Caesar15 said:

So i can return back to my home country and the GC finishes, i will return back to US and get my GC. Sounds a good plan ?

 

Yes, that's fine. No need for the plastic green card at all in the first year, so you can just get it when you return to the US rather than risk a friend sending it. Just get them to keep it safe for you for when you return - and make sure you don't stay out too long. 

 

Good luck. 

[Caesar15 2]

45 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

Yes, that's fine. No need for the plastic green card at all in the first year, so you can just get it when you return to the US rather than risk a friend sending it. Just get them to keep it safe for you for when you return - and make sure you don't stay out too long. 

 

Good luck. 

Ok great! One more question. Can i travel to any state to activate my GC? As i know someone told me that there will be an interview once i arrive at the airport. Is it ok to go anywhere and do it ? ( reminder: my visa immigration type is Family sponsored). Are they gonna ask questions about that if i dont want to travel to my sponsor’s state ?

[Boiler 44,943]

You can enter anywhere.

[Caesar15 2]

16 minutes ago, Boiler said:

You can enter anywhere.

So they won’t ask the reason why you will not be at your sponsor’s house or state

[Boiler 44,943]

Irrelevant, why would they.

[millefleur 5,043]

2 hours ago, Caesar15 said:

So they won’t ask the reason why you will not be at your sponsor’s house or state

People change/connect flights at major international airports and go through the Port of Entry there at the border, not everyone has a direct flight to their home state. It's very common that most people enter one state's POE and then travel onward from there to their final destination.