Question about Greencard family sponsorship application

[Amidreamer 0]

My parents are citizens of India and their Greencard just got approved as my US citizen brother had applied for them under family sponsorship application. They will visit USA before July 3,2025 to complete their landing process. I have questions as below:

(1)How long will it take for them to get the physical copy of their Greencard in mail once they arrive in Texas? 

(2)How soon can my dad apply for his and my mom’s re-entry permit (Form I-131) once they arrive in Texas and do we need a lawyer to file this permit on their behalf and do they need to appear for biometrics exam again in TX as part of their re-entry permit application? My dad has some family obligations to take care of in India and hence we need to apply for re-entry permit.

(3)How soon will they receive their re-entry permit once applied? 

(4) Do they need to complete any biometric exam in USA again as part of their landing process or as part of re-entry permit applictn?

(5) Do they need to buy visitor health insurance applicable to Visitor Visa holders or insurance for Greencard holders from government? 

(6) Can they visit me in Canada after only completing their landing process?

[OldUser 8,159]

1) If immigrant fee is paid, typically within 90 days of entry, but could be longer

2) The first day they enter they can apply for I-131

3) A year

4) Absolutely if asked to come

5) they need some insurance to avoid crazy bills from doctors

6) Yes

 

[Amidreamer 0]

6 minutes ago, OldUser said:

1) If immigrant fee is paid, typically within 90 days of entry, but could be longer

2) The first day they enter they can apply for I-131

3) A year

4) Absolutely if asked to come

5) they need some insurance to avoid crazy bills from doctors

6) Yes

 

Thanks a lot for your response. Can they leave USA within 1 month of filing for re-entry permit? I am asking because they won’t be able to stay here for 12 months until they review their re-entry permit. 
 

and do they absolutely have to stay in USA for 90 days until they receive the physically copy of their Greencard? Or can they leave right away and have my brother mail them their Greencards in mail via FedEx once he receives them? 

[OldUser 8,159]

36 minutes ago, Amidreamer said:

Thanks a lot for your response. Can they leave USA within 1 month of filing for re-entry permit? I am asking because they won’t be able to stay here for 12 months until they review their re-entry permit. 
 

 

Depends on whether they get biometrics within 1 month or not.

 

36 minutes ago, Amidreamer said:

 and do they absolutely have to stay in USA for 90 days until they receive the physically copy of their Greencard? Or can they leave right away and have my brother mail them their Greencards in mail via FedEx once he receives them? 

Once they enter, their endorsed visa is proof of their LPR status for 1 year.

 

I heard USCIS is more aware nowadays when somebody leaves the US and won't send GC if LPRs are not physically present.

[Ontarkie 14,664]

How long will they need to be gone back home to finish things up? If it is not too long they won't need a reentry permit. 

[JeanneAdil 6,727]

To get a Canada visa from India, you'll need to meet requirements such as having a valid passport, showing proof of funds, and having a clean criminal record. You may also need to provide biometric information. 

 

 

[Boiler 46,415]

They are not visitors so they will need Insurance for Immigrants, no different from what you have.

 

They are going to need that long term anyway. 

[Cathi 5,800]

A green card is for living in the US. It isn't for coming here then turning around to go back to their home country and staying there indefinitely. 

[SalishSea 18,286]

On 3/9/2025 at 5:10 PM, Cathi said:

A green card is for living in the US. It isn't for coming here then turning around to go back to their home country and staying there indefinitely. 

Agreed.  Particularly risky behavior under these current, rapidly changing times for US immigration.

[SalishSea 18,286]

On 3/9/2025 at 11:12 AM, Amidreamer said:

or insurance for Greencard holders from government? 

Insurance from the government?   That is not a thing.  Providing for their health insurance is the responsibility of the petitioner, and should have been something already planned for.