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Is there such a thing as a 'timeline' you must adhere to in order to enter USA once issued with a Greencard/immigrant visa? For example, if I complete my petition, sit the interview and all that business and get the nod (from outside of USA)... do I need to act on it within a given time? When I was granted a 2 year Canadian visa, for example, I had to enter Canada within 6 months or else it voided.
I'm just wondering because at the moment we are stalling the process (waiting 4 months or so to respond to each step) because my current work contract outside of USA has been extended so my ideal entry time is later than we initially set out to achieve.
Stalling the process just stresses me out, knowing that there is still paperwork I have to complete and the possibility that I'll lose it (hence, I've already forgotten what exact stage I'm up to other than having paid the $230 fee). It'd be nice if I could speed through portions when I have the time, without stressing that if it moves 'too quickly' I'll have to quite my job prematurely and give quite a bit of money that would be well spent in USA.
TLDR: When you finished the whole immigration process and were given the final nod to fly to USA, were you given a deadline before the immigration was voided?
Immigrant visas to the USA are usually valid 6 months, ie you have to enter within 6 months. Sometimes it's less, especially if you had your visa medical a long time before the interview.
Is there such a thing as a 'timeline' you must adhere to in order to enter USA once issued with a Greencard/immigrant visa? For example, if I complete my petition, sit the interview and all that business and get the nod (from outside of USA)... do I need to act on it within a given time? When I was granted a 2 year Canadian visa, for example, I had to enter Canada within 6 months or else it voided.
I'm just wondering because at the moment we are stalling the process (waiting 4 months or so to respond to each step) because my current work contract outside of USA has been extended so my ideal entry time is later than we initially set out to achieve.
Stalling the process just stresses me out, knowing that there is still paperwork I have to complete and the possibility that I'll lose it (hence, I've already forgotten what exact stage I'm up to other than having paid the $230 fee). It'd be nice if I could speed through portions when I have the time, without stressing that if it moves 'too quickly' I'll have to quite my job prematurely and give quite a bit of money that would be well spent in USA.
TLDR: When you finished the whole immigration process and were given the final nod to fly to USA, were you given a deadline before the immigration was voided?
Depends on the conditions you're entering under. I entered on a fiance visa, which came with an expiration date - but you'll have to look up the details of your specific circumstances. FWIW, even people who have been Green Card holders for ages can get in trouble for leaving the US for a year - shorter, in fact, if the border agent has a bad day. You don't want an "abandoned petition" in your file.
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