Hello,

I have just received a Greencard in the lottery. I have been issued a temporary visa at the moment, however I am a little confused about the terms of this.

I have 6 months to enter the US (so I have to enter by Jan15). I was planning on going to Hawaii to activate my VISA, then come back to my home country to finish study, and return to the US before one year is up (as I believe this is the maximum amount of time you can spend out of the country without it effecting your visa). It was my impression that once you activate your greencard, they then send this out to the address you have issued them (this as a friend of mine who was going to keep hold of it until I get over there).

Do you know if this is possible?' They have given me very vague instructions, and I have sent my queries into the consulate but they won't even reply to my questions! On their instructions they do say "we recommend that you do not leave the US until you ahve received the Alien Registration Card. If you must leave the United Sates before receiving your card, you may use the temporary admission stamp in your passport to re-enter the US, provided that the entry takes place before the admission stsamp expires". What date is this admission stamp? Is it the date I have to enter the country by? Or is it a year from the date I have to enter the country by?

Your thoughts would be very much appreicated!

Benita

You have 6 months from the date your immigrant visa was issued by the Embassy to enter the US. The expiration date of your visa is indicated on the visa itself (“IV Expires On …”).

Upon your arrival in the US, your visa will be stamped. This stamp, along with the visa itself, will serve as a temporary green card for the 1-year period following the date of your arrival in the US.

I hope this clarifies things for you.

Attorney Edward Weiner
E-mail : E.Weiner@immigration-aux-usa.com
Phone : + 1 (617) 889-0215
Internet Site : http://www.immigration-aux-usa.com