When you are approved for a Green Card through the DV lottery there are some important timelines that you MUST understand and adhere to – so this post will hopefully clear up some of those points about Visa validity.
Hopefully, you will be approved in your interview (most people do!), and typically the CO will ask you to leave your passports with them so they can issue a visa. Typically that visa is printed within a few days and you will have been told how you expect to receive your passport (courier, pick up from the embassy). The visa that is issued will look similar to the example here:-
The visa will be valid for the first entry to the USA for up to 6 months after visa issuance. (Note: this time can be shorter if your medical report had a shorter validity, so please check the date “IV Expires on”). It is essential that the visa holder enters the USA to activate their status before this visa has expired – if you miss that date, your visa will not be replaced and you would have lost your right to a Green Card. For that reason I suggest making travel plans for at least a week or two before the expiry date of the visa, just in case you experience delays with travel plans.
When you receive your visa it will arrive stamped in your passport and with a sealed envelope of documents to be carried with you on entry to the USA. DO NOT OPEN THIS ENVELOPE! If the envelope gets damaged in some way, contact your embassy before travel to get the envelope resealed. The envelope must be presented along with your visa to an immigration official at your Port of Entry (POE). The POE is typically the first place you land on US soil, although in some cases this can also be a US immigration checkpoint on foreign soil (Abu Dhabi for instance).
At the POE you will be briefly processed by the immigration officer – it is not a difficult process and at the end they will endorse your visa. Upon endorsement the visa will serve as evidence of your I-551 and indicate your status as a LPR (Lawful Permanent Resident) and is then valid to be used for up to 12 months (until you receive your Green Card). This means that you could, if you wanted get on the next plane back to your home country and then re-enter using the I-551 stamped in your passport for re-entry – there is no need to wait for the physical Green Card to be able to leave.
Your Green Card itself will be sent to the US address you listed on your DS260. The immigration officer at the POE will allow you to change that address at the time of entry. That address should be a real US address – not a PO Box etc. The post office is not supposed to deliver the Green Card to an invalid address. The Green Card will only be sent once you have paid the fee of $220 per person which can be done before you enter for the first time or after you have entered. Don’t forget to do this!!!
The Green Card is a thick plastic card that looks like this:-
Rules about re-entry
Some people treat the first trip to the USA as an activation trip and to “look around”. They then leave and return to live permanently which is fine as long as you make this return within 12 months. That is perfectly fine and understandable – you are not obligated to take up residence in this first trip – although you will have become an LPR and therefore have other obligations (such as tax reporting – even on income earned outside of the USA!).
Once you begin “residing” in the USA you are expected to maintain residence there. If you leave the USA for long periods of time (up to 12 months) you may be asked to show that you maintained you home there, otherwise you may have been considered to have “abandoned” your Green Card. In that scenario you would have to convince an immigration judge that you did not intend to abandon your Green Card – so I advise you to follow the rules.
If you need to leave the USA for a trip longer than 12 months, you must apply for a “re-entry permit” with form I-131. The re-entry permit must be applied for before you leave the USA, although you can arrange to receive it at a US embassy abroad. IF the re-entry permit is granted you will get permission to leave for up to 2 years. However, the approval is not automatic – you need a good reason to be approved.
This link provides a bit more information about obtaining a re-entry permit.
April 11, 2017 at 09:00
Good day Simon,
We have our temp immigrant visas (DV) and already traveled to the US in March to activate our lawful permanent residency. We traveled back to our home country as we want to first start looking for jobs etc before moving permanently to the USA as a family.
We thought everything is in order and that our green cards would be posted to the Physical address we supplied.
We however got an ASC Appointment notification from the USCIS to have our bio-metric fingerprints done next week in the USA. Which is impossible for us as we are not in the US. When contacting the US consulate where we had our interview they said it is not necessary for us to do this as it was already done at the time of interview though the DV process.
But we phoned the USCIS yesterday and the person on duty said that the bio-metric fingerprints now needed is for the actual green card and is separate from the first process.
Is this the norm? Surely there are more people outside the USA when asked to come for these extra fingerprints…
He mentioned we should ask for postponement – but we can’t give a date because we still don’t have jobs lined up and are in the process of selling our house.
please can you advice.
regards
Jolanda
April 11, 2017 at 14:34
Postpone the date and tell them you are not in the country.
May 27, 2017 at 17:45
Hi simon,
If i am planning to leave us within 20 days (my annual vacation from work) after my first entry and i wont come back until the end of the 12 month allowed period, while my spouse stays in the us,
1 will I get an appointment for biometric fingerprints before i leave? is there anything i can do to get an appointment within 20 days before i leave?
2 if not, guessing i wont receive my gc until i come back, meanwhile my endorsed visa wont be valid for long anymore, how do you advise to proceed then?
I posted under previous questions because it is related.
Thank you
May 28, 2017 at 14:31
1. Probably not.
2. Have your GC mailed to you by your spouse.
May 29, 2017 at 20:47
Concerning your answer number 2, that wont be possible since i wouldn’t have received my GC because i would have delayed my fingerprints biometric appointment until i come back… which is my initial issue here :S
May 30, 2017 at 02:18
It is rare for any CP cases to need a biometric appointment after activation (UNLESS you apply for an I-131).
You are worrying for nothing. Relax.
May 30, 2017 at 13:23
Oh, I see 🙂
I tought it was mandatory :p
Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it.
April 15, 2017 at 16:39
Hi Simon,
We decided to move to USA on 26th April,we’ve got DV visas valid until 22nd of June. Now we have to change our son’s passport, though it expires in May and is still valid,but according to the rules in our home country he is not allowed to cross the border with a passport with exipiration date close to the date of departure. So, please, can you clarify,will there be any problem with Customs Officer on US border, if he travels with 2 passports, a valid one, and the other one with DV visa in it?
Regards,
Adel
April 15, 2017 at 16:44
No problem. One is a valid passport, the other is where you have a valid visa.
April 22, 2017 at 11:30
Hi
My wife is principal dv winner and we are planning to go to US on may 10. But my wife has some work and planning to return on June 5 alone. And planning to stay for 6 month.
Will we get our green card on stated address?
Can I stay over US in absence of her?
Is there any problem in this case to receive green cards?
April 22, 2017 at 18:38
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. No
April 23, 2017 at 11:25
Hello Simon,
My parents won DV lottery and moving to US this year. I am 19 years old.
I am currently a student and would like to finish my education at my home country and join my parents at a later date.
Can I leave US after getting LPR status to continue my education in my home country? And do I need a re-entry permit if I am planning to go to US every year for summer/winter school breaks?
Thank you.
April 23, 2017 at 15:23
Yes you can leave – and if your family reside in USA and you re-enter every few months, you probably won’t need a re-entry permit – although get one if you want.
April 27, 2017 at 02:22
Thank you!
April 27, 2017 at 05:27
Thank you Brit! I m in USA with DV lottery . I m working in US government program.Your help was great. Love you. Follow him, you will be success.
April 23, 2017 at 15:43
Hi BritSimon
Let’s suppose I go to the USA and activate the DV visa and have the green card sent to a friend’s address. Can I use the stamped visa for multiple entries (instead of the green card) even after the green card has arrived at my friend’s place if I can’t pick it up for a while?
I can see a scenario where I don’t might not be able to re-enter the USA until close to 11-12 months after activation of the visa, due to work/study commitments to close off before moving.
Thank you.
April 23, 2017 at 16:51
Yes that is fine.
May 4, 2017 at 22:06
Hi, I have a question regarding re-entry. If I was chosen in this years lottery then successfully went through the process giving me 6 months to travel to the US – can I travel, get my green card etc then apply for a re-entry visa then come back 18 months or so later after I’ve finished my affairs at home? Or would that not be a good enough reason for a re-entry permit
I was successful this year but I feel like late 2018/early 2019 would be too soon for me to move
Thanks for your help
May 5, 2017 at 01:07
You can do that – but applying for the I-131 takes a few weeks in the USA.
May 5, 2017 at 07:38
Hi brit,
I have done my DV2017 interview on march 08 at the embassy of USA in kahrtoum, Sudan. Now I am waiting for my sponsors papers( ID proof, I-134 form , Notorized letter..) my question is Can my sponsor send those papers directly to the US embassy in khartoum?..is it possible?..
Thank you.
May 5, 2017 at 08:52
I would advise not to – they might get lost.
May 5, 2017 at 08:04
Hi Simone, I passed the interview and the DV visa is on the passport. The issue is that this passport will expire on Jan next year 2018. At your knowledge, please let me know if that will be an issue when travelling to USA as I will be just a couple of days past 6 months expiration limit. Changing my passport now and travelling with 2 passports (old one with visa and a new one) is an accepted option? I tried to find something in this regards but I got mixed results. The USA Embassy from my country is just not helping with a clear answer. Where can I drop an email for a sorta official answer? It is better to go like this and change the passport in USA? Sorry if this is not the correct place to post this question. Thank you in advanced and best regards. You are doing a great job.
May 5, 2017 at 08:55
The only place you will get a certain answer is when you arrive at the airport – as the BPO will have discretion.
May 8, 2017 at 02:25
Hi brit;
Thanks for the tireless assistance you always accorded me wil, am much grateful.
I won the Dv and and now i moved to the state, i paid the $220 for the USCIS fees a week ago but if i try acces my greencard status through their website….. How can i know my status for greencard
Plz.
May 8, 2017 at 03:47
You have tio wait 3 to 4 months. Just be patient.
May 8, 2017 at 02:31
Is says invalid number entry what solution for that
May 8, 2017 at 03:46
Read my FAQ for instruction on that problem.
May 8, 2017 at 17:18
Hi Brit, Do you know what happens with a spouse of the principal applicant when the PA dies or when the marriage ends? Does the spouse still have the green card?
May 8, 2017 at 17:20
No.
May 8, 2017 at 18:13
Hey Simon!! My wife has just won the visa lottery and assuming all goes well in the interview and we get our visas, we’d like to split our time between the USA and Australia. If we re-enter America within a year after our first ‘activation trip’, do we then have PR for life and the freedom to enter/exit as we please, or is it a case that even ten years down the road, if we leave for months at a time, we can then still have our visas cancelled? I thought you had to stay for a year but after that, you’re free to come/go as you please (Not sure where I heard that though!). Thanks so much in advance for any help!!
May 8, 2017 at 18:48
The GC isn’t a visitors visa. It’s to live and work in the USA. If you don’t live mainly in the USA you will eventually lose your GC status. The GC also comes with obligations, one of which is tax reporting on worldwide income. So – make sure you understand that before proceeding.
May 9, 2017 at 11:35
Dear Sir,
I’m a winner of DV2017 and i was single when i submitted for the lottery and when i filed DS260 form.
now I’m engaged since two months and planning to get married on 15 July 2017 while my interview is scheduled on 11 June 2017.
You advised that I should file case to bring my wife after traveling to the USA which will take two years.
this will be difficult specially that my wife is orphan and i can’t leave her for two years since I’m all her family now.
now please I need your suggestions of alternative solutions without risking to lose the lottery for myself.
should I contact the embassy or Kentucky?
should I inform the consular at the interview of my case and ask him for the proper action?
specially that i will get married before 30 Sep 2017
I appreciate your assistance
thank you
May 9, 2017 at 13:29
THe alternative solution was to get married before the interview and ask the embassy to include her – but you have left this very late.
May 9, 2017 at 14:05
so if I managed to get married before the interview there will be a chance that the embassy will include my wife in may case.
if I did so, should I send an email to the embassy of my case before the interview or I should explain the situation to the consular at the interview..
thank you and appreciate your patience
May 15, 2017 at 12:43
dear sir..
I’m still waiting and still need your advice..
should i send an email to embassy!! or should i explain the situation at the interview!!
and will such action affect the approval for my visa or not?
many thanks for your assistance and patience
May 15, 2017 at 13:07
You can contact them, and ask them what to do – but as I said – you have left it too late.
May 13, 2017 at 15:14
Hi Simon,
Soon I’m going first time to US with my immigration visa (after successful embassy interview). What kind of questions they could ask on the arrival? I heard for DV immigrants first time always they take you for second inspection and can take a few hours of paperwork and interview? Can you share with me more info about this process at the airport for newcomers and second inspection?
May 13, 2017 at 15:38
It often requires processing in a different line but the only time is waiting your turn – no unusual questions – no need to worry.
May 18, 2017 at 15:04
Should I be prepared with my paperwork and proofs the same like in embassy? I’m just curious how it looks like during the arrival. Or it is just waiting the most of time and they are filling the forms, etc. ? Thanks a lot!
May 15, 2017 at 12:28
Hello Simon,
I have a question about the first absence. I know that the first absence is treated as an exception and for it is quite common to return to the home country for a period that can be up to 12 months without a problem.
After that point absences of up to 6 months will be treated as normal.
In my case I’m planning to stay for 40 days and then come back after 8 months.
Do I will have broken/disrupted my continous residence?
Thank you very much for your time
May 15, 2017 at 13:08
If you mean continuous residence for citizenship – yes.
May 27, 2017 at 16:06
Hello simon,
I am a bit confused concerning this answer,
can you please clarify, when you say the absence will disrupt continuous residency for citizenship, are you talking about the first absence (12 month allowed upon first arrival), or do you mean following other absences for more than 6 months?
P.S. (filing income from outside us the first 12 months)
thank you
May 27, 2017 at 16:10
Income tax filing and citizenship questions are not related. Since the question was about continuous residence, I assume the question is about citizenship. For citizenship – absences of longer than 6 months cannot count toward continuous residence.
May 27, 2017 at 17:53
Thank you for your answer
I guess I need to shorten my absence to less than 6 months in order to not loose the continuity
June 5, 2017 at 15:39
Dear Simon,
Q1. I understand that an absence of up to 12 months is excusable following the first entry, however if this period exceeds 6 months then it will not be counted toward continuous residency. Is that correct?
Q2. If the answer for Q1 is yes, then one should re-enter before the elapse of 6 months. Would one or two weeks be enough to exit again for just one month before moving back to the US permanently? The reason i ask is that following my GC activation in June 2017 I should come back to the US in December at the latest in order not to disrupt my continuous residency while I am planning to quit my current job in January following the Bonus at the end of this year and move permanently to the US in January-February 2018.
Thank you.
June 5, 2017 at 18:33
1. Yes
2. If you are not living in the USA, you will have a hard time proving you were resident. Just start your residency clock when you move to the USA for good.
June 5, 2017 at 20:34
Thank you Simon for your prompt reply.
I apologize for bringing the subject up again; however, I was going through a Guide for New Immigrants (https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/nativedocuments/M-618.pdf) and on page 101 they state that the date you became a permanent resident (the date on the GC) is the date your five years begins and if you leave for periods greater than six months you may break the continuous residence. Does that mean it would be safe to leave between July and December (5 months) without breaking my continuous residence? I am willing to travel to the USA for a week or two in October as well, if it would be better. The thing is I’d be adding another USD 30k to my savings if i wait until December; I’d be transferring my salary to the USA on a monthly basis, would that prove I have ties to the U.S. while I was away? I don’t want to restart my residency clock. If it will restart then I’d rather leave now for good. It has been my dream since I was a kid to live in the United States of America and become a U.S. citizen. I don’t want to delay that!
Thank you again for your time.
June 5, 2017 at 20:53
If this is a “dream since you were a kid”, it should be no problem waiting a few extra months. Relax!
June 5, 2017 at 22:35
You are right Simon, thank you a lot for your support. Btw my interview experience was 5 days ago and it was amazing!! I am a bit nervous now; waiting for my passport. The CO said he will approve my case and i should expect my passport within 10 days. My visa status still shows “Ready”, can’t wait to see the word “Issued”!! 🙂
June 5, 2017 at 22:36
I will be sharing my interview experience soon. 🙂
June 6, 2017 at 16:33
From “Ready” to the scary “Administrative Processing” to the amazing “Issued”! May Jesus bless you Simon and the United States of America!!! 😀
May 22, 2017 at 07:18
Hi Simon
My DV2017 interview is next month.
You mentioned in a comment above that LPR absences of <6 months don’t tend to get questions upon re-entry. My question is what do you think would be likely to happen to a LPR that enters the US every 5 months for a week or so?
(I understand the green card is not a visitor visa, but i'm in a de facto relationship so just trying to delay relocation until my partner can find a way to move with me.)
Thanks for any assistance!
May 22, 2017 at 18:07
You can do that for a while, but eventually they will see that you are not residing in the USA. Make sure you comply with rules such as tax reporting.
You should have just married your partner and filed as married. Easy. Now you have left it late and made it hard.
May 22, 2017 at 23:54
Thanks Simon!
Call me old fashioned, but I’d prefer to get married for the right reasons.
May 23, 2017 at 00:13
Excuse me??? You’re in a defacto relationship!!!! I think the “get married for the right reasons” boat has sailed!
May 23, 2017 at 02:50
Hello Simon,
Need your highly appreciated help again.
I was successful because of your help and the information in this site, So I made my way to US, my first entry along with my family (my wife & 4 kids) was in October 2016, we returned to our home country after 15 days. after 2 months my friend recieved our GCs.
Before 2 weeks, I traveled alone without my family to US, just started working 2 days ago.
I have a major problem, my mother is fully dependent on me and she is old 65 years old, I have the following questions:
1- Is there anyway ever to bring my mother to USA? Should I consult a lawyer? or it will lose of money when I badly need every penny.
2- If there is no way to bring my mother to USA… can my family stay with my mother after October 2017 until finding a solution? without losing there GCs.
3- Is there any humanitarian appeal that I can submit so my mother can come to live with us?
4- If all the tries failed, I think the only solution will be that my family (my wife + 4 kids) apply for a re-entry permit, so I have the following questions regarding this:
a- How long should they stay in US in order to submit for the re-entry permit?
b- How long should they stay in US after submitting the re-entry permit?
c- Can they request to get the re-entry permit in an overseas embassy?
d- Since the approvals for re-entry permits is not automatic -as I red in your article- Do you think that there is a good possibility to be approved taking into knowledge that I will stay alone in US until finding a solution for bringing my mother.
Best regards & thanks
May 23, 2017 at 14:02
1. You cannot sponsor her until you become a citizen (5 years).
2. They have to maintain residence in the USA
3. No
4a. They can submit immediately. The process takes about 6 weeks.
4b. The process takes about 6 weeks.
4c. No – they must file in the USA
4d. I don’t know.
May 24, 2017 at 13:13
Thanks Simon\
May 24, 2017 at 13:34
Hello Boss..
I still need your assiatance and please bear me a little..
Since i will get married after obtaining the immigration visa of DV2017 and now i won’t be able to include my wife.
you have advised earlier that i can file a request to bring her to the USA after and this will take around 2 years.
my question is : when can i start the procedure to bring my wife? can i do this immediately after entering the USA.
can I after filing the request travel back to my home country to spend 10 months with my family then i get back to the USA? and will this negatively affect my request of bringing my wife?
many thanks
May 24, 2017 at 16:41
One more question Sir.
is it possible to request to reschedule my interview after it’s already determined so i would have the chance to get married before the interview and send a request to include my wife..
thank you
May 24, 2017 at 17:36
I don’t advise on cases other than DV lottery – so I can’t answer your questions.
May 24, 2017 at 17:42
appreciate your patience sir.. Thank You
May 24, 2017 at 17:58
Greeting Britsimons,
If a US employer is to deploy me abroad for along time (> 1year) with frequent visits to US, will it jeopardise my GC status?
Thanks
May 24, 2017 at 18:06
No.
May 24, 2017 at 17:59
Note, I just moved to US via DV2017 program…
May 28, 2017 at 03:32
Hi BritSimon, I am a DV selectee for the fiscal year 2018 and I have started the process of the DS-260 form and getting the supporting documents. The validity period of 6 months for the Diversity Immigrant Visa sticker in the passport is very short. Once the visa is issued I will spend all of my spare time looking for jobs in the US, in fact I will start looking for jobs before the visa is even issued and mention in my resume that I am a DV selectee. Even so there is a possibility that the Diversity Immigrant Visa sticker in my passport might expire before I am offered a job in the US. If that happens is it possible to re-enter the Diversity Immigrant Visa lottery again and get a new Diversity Immigrant Visa sticker in the passport. I read somewhere that only one Diversity Immigrant Visa sticker in the passport will ever be issued to a particular person. Is that true?
Thank you
Michael
May 28, 2017 at 14:13
THe visa validity period cannot be extended. Yes someone can enter a lottery again – but with low chances of winning – that would be a risky “plan”.
Speaking of plans, your plan to secure a job offer before you move to the USA is not realistic. Unless you have very unusual skills, no US employer is going to hold a job open for you when there are plenty of other candidates already there. Your plan should be to move to the USA, even before you have a firm job offer. That is why it is important you have the finances to support yourself while you get on your feet.
May 28, 2017 at 16:52
Hi BritSimon, thank you for your reply. I had a thought that when I get the Diversity Immigrant visa sticker in my passport, my mother and I could go on a holiday to Washington state where my mother’s American friend lives (I can put in her name and address in my DS-260 form). That way I could enter the US with the Diversity Immigrant visa sticker in my passport to “activate” it and the green card, which would buy me an extra 12 months to find a job in the US, even if I continue looking for a US job from my home country Australia. I think that it takes 45 days before the green card will arrive in the post for my mother’s friend and she can then post it off to me in Australia. I am also concerned about mention above of an ASC Appointment notification from the USCIS to have one’s bio-metric fingerprints taken. My mother and I probably won’t have our holiday in Washington state for more than 2 weeks. When would the ASC Appointment from the USCIS to have one’s bio-metric fingerprints taken be likely to occur? My qualifications might also be considered “unusual skills”. I have a Bachelor of Science (Honours 1) in chemistry, a PhD in chemistry, and a partially (seven eighths) complete Masters degree in intellectual property law(albeit only applicable to Australian and New Zealand IP law). I did my PhD in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), which is a form of organic semiconductor technology. The PhD was mostly synthetic organic chemistry, with some physical chemistry to test the compounds to see whether they would work well in experimental OLED devices. My PhD supervisor specializes in organic semiconductor technology research. He was at Oxford for 17-18 years until he was poached by the University of Queensland where I did my PhD under his supervision. There are some organic semiconductor technology R&D companies in America like Universal Display Corporation or Dupont Displays who might be interested in me. I could also get a chemistry postdoc job at an American university.
Thank you
Michael
May 28, 2017 at 17:15
Yes you can activate within the 6 months, and that will buy you time (absences of up to 12 months are technically possible, although <6 months is better.
May 29, 2017 at 01:13
Hey dude! My wife has been selected but as we’ve just fallen pregnant, we can’t move in the next year or two. Is there any option to take the visa without moving within the next 2 years? If not, and we don’t continue in the GC process, can we always apply again in a few years? Thanks man, great service you’re providing here 🙂
May 29, 2017 at 04:08
The post above describes how you can delay your move to the USA. Read it.
You can apply again in the future – yes.
May 29, 2017 at 01:47
I got immigrant visa for DV 2017 and planning to travel this week to US for activation purpose and return to my original country for 11 months. Will bio-metric fingerprints be required for every one ….even if we visited US more than once before with non-immigrant visa? I mean USCIS already had my fingerprint?
May 29, 2017 at 04:04
They don’t always request a biometric appointment – in fact, it is unusual.
June 1, 2017 at 18:52
Hi Brit,
Once again thank you so much for the great work. As a DV-2017 winner I followed every piece of advice you give us here and finally got approved a few weeks ago.
My 6-month visa will expire in November, and I am planning to enter the US in late August to “activate” the green card and leave after a couple of days.
Two questions for you:
1- if I pay the DV fees now rather than after getting to the States will it still take 3-4 months to receive the green card since the activation, or does that save me time and I can reasonably hope to get it in few weeks after the 1st entry?
2- likely scenario: 1st entry in late August > stay out of the US for 3+ months > 6-month visa expires and I still don’t have my green card with me: will they let me enter the US? any chance that the airline company could refuse to board me on their plane?
June 1, 2017 at 20:19
1. Paying the fee early doesn’t speed up production of the GC – BUT some people get the cards quite fast – it depends on workload.
2. Your visa in your passport gets “endorsed” when you activate. That then is proof of LPR status for up to 1 year. Airlines “should” understand that – but sometimes don’t.
June 2, 2017 at 12:40
Hello Brit
We entered US at 15May from Ny(whole family my wife and 2 kids).Today Uscis informed me by email about only my wifes and 1 childs greencard mailed to my adress.But other cards havent mailed yet.I am the winner of lottery.
When I check from status of my card It is still processing and this message I got.Is it normal to mailed 2 of 4 cards?
“On May 15, 2017, we received your USCIS Immigrant fee payment for your Permanent Resident Card related to your immigrant visa. We will be processing the request for production of your Permanent Resident Card.”
June 2, 2017 at 13:35
Anything is normal. Just relax and wait.
June 4, 2017 at 06:40
Hi Simon, My fiancee just passed through the temporary visa process successfully, though she is now going alone,but she entered her dv with her ex husband’s name as married.
Is it possible that I follow her later as her new husband and how do we do this?
Also, even if she divorce with her ex, how long will it take for her to be qualified for me to follow her as her new husband?
Thanks.
June 4, 2017 at 12:55
She would have to divorce. Marry you, then apply to sponsor you. That last step will take around 2 years.
June 4, 2017 at 16:16
So please with the last step which she has to sponsor me, will that still be filed under the DV lottery or the normal visa application for partners?
Thanks for your patience Sir.
June 4, 2017 at 16:41
Not DV process. JUst normal family based.
June 4, 2017 at 17:10
Please sir with the $165, is it for the Green Card process, and must it be paid at POE?
Can that payment also be done later after entering US, if yes, through which means can it be paid..
June 4, 2017 at 17:33
THat fee is now $220. It can be paid before or after entering the USA – online at the USCIS ELIS website.
June 5, 2017 at 21:42
Hi,
I got married to my fiancé a week before my dv interview which went well and I will be traveling in a couple of days to the us. My question is can I add my wife to my case since the dv fiscal year ends in September? Or will I have to file a petition for an immidiate family member. How long does it take before she can come?
June 5, 2017 at 21:50
You will have to file a petition once in the USA. It will take about 2 years.
June 6, 2017 at 05:38
Hey mate
I just spoke with someone in the visa center and she said if your interview is successful, you get an immigrant visa. You have 6 months to move over and you apply for Green Card once you arrive. Do you know how long it takes for the GC to be issued? Also, she said that you can’t leave for longer than a year once you have your GC. We want to wait 18-24 months to move (family reasons). Could we move back after getting GC, take a holiday for a week or two within a year, and then move over properly a year or so later?
Thanks!!
June 7, 2017 at 00:01
You were told accurate information. Your plan could work, but keep 2nd and subsequent absences to less than 6 months. You can file an I-131 to get up to 2 years absence – but you will need to be in the USA for about 6 weeks to apply for the I-131.
June 6, 2017 at 18:50
Hello Brit. Thanks for your guidance. I just got my visa for the DV lottery 2017 entry. I wish to find out if on my data page my final address in the united states is in Maryland, Can I enter the united states through a different state? the person who gave me an afidavit of support cannot host me and the person who wishes to host me is living in another state, So am wondering if it is required by law that I must enter only through the state where my final address is stated
June 7, 2017 at 00:21
Enter where you want, live where you want.
June 7, 2017 at 04:09
I Remember when filling the form DS 260 we were asked where we will live in the united states and I put the address which was on the data page. Will the immigration officers at the port of entry ask me questions to why I did not enter through the port of entry on the visa data -page?
June 7, 2017 at 05:58
No. They don’t care where you enter the USA or live.
June 7, 2017 at 10:41
Hi Brit,
Am Green Card holder through dv, and i divorced with my wife a year ago. I want to remarry from my home country. How do I bring her.
Will the the divorce cause a delay in bringing in my new wife. If yes how long?
June 7, 2017 at 13:38
It will take around 2 years.
June 8, 2017 at 03:07
hi
my dv visa is valid untill 08 Oct 2017. if plan to move to US in Sep 2017. wont it make any problem for me?
June 8, 2017 at 04:12
No problem.
June 11, 2017 at 12:20
Hi Simon, I have an advise for applicants from Egypt; they need to clarify their names carefully during the interview at embassy. as in Egypt we have officially 4 names or more in the passport for each person hence it is very important to identify first, middle and last name with council during the interview at the US embassy in Cairo.
I landed to US last week and has found a mess in my name that will require a long process to change the name as I have to wait firs to receive the already progressed GC with wrong name and then file form I-90 to change GC with proper name.
Do you have any article regarding form I-90 and how long it take to get new GC?
thanks
Ibrahim
June 11, 2017 at 15:06
No – I don’t know timelines for that.
June 12, 2017 at 13:02
hi brit first let me congratulate for the help you have been giving us since for most of us we are clueless of the processes.may GOD bless you and your family for the good work you have been doing
my issue is that i lost my passport.I submitted my ds260 last week and i completed it using my kenyan identity card instead of my passport.i did not send them any mail before filling the ds260 form.my questions are;
1 Can it cause any problem because i did not notify them.
2 Do i send them a notification message through e mail.
3 what are the requirement when sending them an email.
June 12, 2017 at 14:02
1. No
3. https://britsimonsays.com/communicating-kcc/
June 12, 2017 at 16:19
Hi Brit!
I won the DV2017, have my visa stamped on my passport and everything.
I bought a one-way ticket, could i have trouble in the POE? Or trouble with the airline?
June 12, 2017 at 17:24
No
June 16, 2017 at 01:16
Hi Brit. My husband had been selected for Diversity 2018. We have submitted our D260 form. Is there a chance of visiting the United States as a visitor while we wait for our appointment date?
June 16, 2017 at 02:07
Yes.
June 19, 2017 at 18:51
Hi Simon, my mother and father just got DV 2017. We just realized that they forgot to include me in the form. The embassy told me them that if i am less then 21 yo i can be included later…the problem is that i just got 21st. Do you know the rule concerning the age? I had to be less than 21 before interview? Or before entree in US? Thank a lot!
June 19, 2017 at 22:24
There is a period of time when you are automatically protected by the CSPA. It is explained here:
https://britsimonsays.com/child-turn-21-can-heshe-get-visa/
June 25, 2017 at 12:38
Hello Simon,
I got a DV lottery immigrant visa from Home country. I am planning to go USA just for one month to activate a GC and come back my home country to prepare to move permanently (for about 7-8months).
Questions?
1) Can i buy two way ticket from my hometown or just one way air ticket. Do POE questions me for having two way ticket?
2) I start hearing more about biometric finger printing in USA. If needed, can it be done any states in the USA or just from DS-260/POE US address?
3)Do i need to pay taxes for US if i work at my home country during my first 12 months absence from US( until my resignation )?
June 25, 2017 at 14:15
1. NO problem.
2. IF REQUIRED (which is rare), THey book it near your home address.
3. You need to report that income on your US tax return, but whether you need to pay taxes or not depends on various factors like how much tax you already paid on that income, how much income it was and so on.
June 26, 2017 at 20:07
Hi dear Britsimon
Excuse me , Can I ask you some questions please?
My friend got married in December , 2016
He applied in DV.2018 as single
also, his wife applied as single
becauce they didn’t get marry that that time.
Now
His wife won in DV.2018
and her information were single
What can they do?
Can she apply to her husband?
Can they travel together?
Is there any procces that they should do nowadays?
What is your advice?
June 26, 2017 at 20:56
Dear Britsimon
I am waiting your respond
to tell my friend
If they could apply in DS.260
that they got married or not?
Also, from your experince
in this major
Is it easy for them to pass the interview and get the visas for both of them ? or what ?
Please refer to my mane wirh your respond.
June 27, 2017 at 01:50
You waited 49 minutes before getting impatient????
There is no problem with their case.
June 27, 2017 at 01:49
Yes they simply apply as married.
June 27, 2017 at 14:58
I am so sorry
I thought that you were online
So, I sent the second reply
Generally
Thank You So Much
for your great replies
July 10, 2017 at 01:11
Hi Britsimon.
When you get Dv visa and you enter USA. So how long have you take US Passport.
I think you understand what i mean .
Thank you more than i can say sir.
July 10, 2017 at 06:28
An LPR can aply for US citizenship after 5 years of residence.
July 24, 2017 at 20:34
Hello BritSimon,
I was selected the DV-2017 lottery back in May 2016 and attended my interview in April 2017 and issued a visa in May which expires October 2017. Presently I’m in the middle of packing up my things. Also I’m in Canada where the major airports here have Transborder pre-clearance sections for direct flights to the U.S.
My question is: can I go to the airport to speak to an officer at Transborder, given my documents/sealed/packet/passport-visa, get it activated/stamped then return to my home?
OR, would I need to actually book a flight, go to the airport PoE, give my documents, get activated, get on the plane and physically land on U.S soil then fly back home?
Thanks and keep up the great work, the information on your site has been a tremendous help during this process!
July 24, 2017 at 21:28
I don’t know about Transborder – but I would expect you to need to actually travel to the USA.
July 25, 2017 at 16:58
Dear Simon,
My wife and I are in the consular process here in my home country. Our plan is to fly to the US in January 2017 and stay for a few days for just activating the status. After a few days, we will come back to our home country for preparing our two dogs and selling our things and fly again in March for living in the US permanently. My questions are:
1-) Since we’ll stay there only for a few days and give one of my friends address for the physical card delivery. Can he just take the delivery instead of me?
2-) If we fly to the US with our dogs within the the first entery in January instead of in March, would it be problem both in terms of the immigrant visa process on the border and the risk of the processing time if gets longer for hours? What would be your advise about our case?
Thank you in advance for your any kind of help.
July 25, 2017 at 17:50
1. Yes
2. I can’t see any problem.
July 29, 2017 at 13:42
Hi sir
My question is I’m granted a DV2017 does that mean automatically I’m qualified to receive a GC and if the answer is yes what’s the duration of me receiving the GC on my first entry to the US. Thanks
July 29, 2017 at 15:43
The GC is sent some weeks (up to 4 months) after first entry. But you are a LPR (Green Card holder) from the day you enter the USA
July 29, 2017 at 20:45
Hello Mr Brit.
I’m Rachel by name, i applied for a Visa but not the Visa lottery but through the embassy, I’m also eligible to get a Green card at my first entry to the States without been a visa lottery immigrant ? Please I’m very curious to get a well detailed answer.
Thanks a lot.
July 30, 2017 at 03:02
I only answer DV lottery questions.
August 9, 2017 at 23:21
Hi Brit,
Thank you for your help and guidance. Now I have my visa stamp in my passport with expiry date 27/10/2017. I intend to go and activate it at the end of September or begging of October. Although I found similar guestions by other dv winners I would still like to ask you.
1. Will there be any problem if my address given at the embassy is Chicago but my POE is New York or any other city and I still want my GC to be mailed to Chicago address?
2. Can I change my address for the GC a month after my first trip to USA and whom I shall address to in order to do so? I don’t intend to change my address for the GC just looking for an option if something goes wrong as I don’t know very well the person residing at the current address.
Thank you in advance!
Kind regards,
Yavor
August 9, 2017 at 23:32
1. No
2. The address they have at the first entry is where the GC will be sent.
August 10, 2017 at 16:27
Thanks Brit.
Kind regards,
Yavor
September 29, 2017 at 18:34
Hi Brit,
I hope you are doing well?
Today I entered USA (JFK New York)to activate my visa.
My first impression, border officer was quite rude.
I asked him to change my address for my GC to be delivered in California and he refused. He’s response was something like that
‘Is it some kind of joke? At the interview you’ve given address in Chicago, now you enter in New York and ask me to change it to California. Call and change it yourself’
1. Where shall I call to change my address and is it possible now?
2.What does endorsement means? He just put a stamp on the page next to my visa stating ‘ admitted 29/09/2017 and wished me a nice stay here. Is it all or he missed something?
Thank you in advance.
Yavor
September 29, 2017 at 19:11
1. He should have changed the address. You can change your address on the website – BUT they may send the GC to the address they had when you entered. https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange
2. Your endorsed visa shows you are a Green Card holder and is good for up top 1 year. You will get the real GC before then.
August 10, 2017 at 04:16
Hi Simon,
Thanks for your great work! I would like to ask the following: I will make my first activation trip to US in October – traveling from Australia, spending a week in US and then traveling to Europe.
On my way back to Australia (2 months later) I will transit through US airport – will this count as me entering US the way that it would be entering already second time and therefore I should then maintain my absences for under 6months?
I am not planning to leave the airport so I am hoping that the transit will not count as me entering the states. As I am planning to use the first absence of 12 months and only move to US after 10-11 months after activation trip in October.
Thank you in advance for the information, much appreciated!
Aniko
August 10, 2017 at 04:19
That trip will count as you re-entering.
However, you misunderstand the absence rules. Absences can always be up to 12 months – but absences over 6 months tend to get more questioning than those under 6 months.
August 10, 2017 at 04:44
Thank you Simon! So am I right when saying that basically, if I would do activation trip in October and then transit in January and then move in within 6 months – that would mean that I would already have this time counted towards my citizenship (continuous stay). In comparison with the scenario when I would just activate in October and return in 11months – where this time would not count towards the requirement for citizenship. Is this correct?
Thank you!
August 10, 2017 at 05:19
The citizenship clock would reset.
August 12, 2017 at 09:07
Hello Simon
How many days does it take to get SSN after endorsement of visa at
POE?
August 12, 2017 at 14:36
About 2 weeks.
August 12, 2017 at 10:44
Simon next Question :
Can i open a bank account immediately after getting SSN?
Thank you
August 12, 2017 at 14:35
Yes
August 15, 2017 at 18:53
Hello, I am thinking about submitting for dv-2019 this October 2017 and I want to know if an applicant needs a host in the US even if you plan on taking your own apartment and not depend on anybody.
August 15, 2017 at 19:45
Enter the lottery – see if you are selected (your chance is once every 200 years). Then you can think about the requirements.
August 15, 2017 at 20:27
Haha I know the chances are very low (I was NOT selected for dv-2017).