Is there a time limit to send in Packet 3?

[MikMac 0]

Hi,

Is there a time limit that the completed Packet 3 documents must be submitted? I haven't started the process yet, but just trying to figure out if we could file the petition (to get it out of the way) and hopefully be approved, but then drag out the Packet 3 process so that we could submit it, say 3 months after receiving it, so that it could work better with my planned timeline to immigrate to the States. This would greatly help us figure out an ideal time frame of when to ideally submit our petition which would allow me to immigrate at our ideal time, but also allow time for any problems along the way.

Thanks in Advance,

Mike

[YoungRL 4]

Hi,

Is there a time limit that the completed Packet 3 documents must be submitted? I haven't started the process yet, but just trying to figure out if we could file the petition (to get it out of the way) and hopefully be approved, but then drag out the Packet 3 process so that we could submit it, say 3 months after receiving it, so that it could work better with my planned timeline to immigrate to the States. This would greatly help us figure out an ideal time frame of when to ideally submit our petition which would allow me to immigrate at our ideal time, but also allow time for any problems along the way.

Thanks in Advance,

Mike

My spouse and I were trying to figure out something similar, because he has a business that he owns in his country and he will need to extricate himself from that before he can move the US. That makes things tricky, especially when you factor in time limits and such. (From what I understand, after you have your interview and are approved, you have 6 months to enter the US.)

In the end, we have opted to go through the entire immigration process in a timely manner, without stretching anything out. Instead of trying to time it all perfectly so that his entering the US as a Lawful Permanent Resident coincides with him moving over permanently, we decided that he would come over on a visit to gain his status as a LPR, and then return to his country to tie up his life/loose ends there. Then he would make the permanent move to the US. That way there's no rush or stress, with trying to make it all match up.

(If anyone can comment on whether or not they have done this, or if there are any potential problems with this scenario, that would be great!)

[MikMac 0]

I don't know for sure, but can your husband enter the USA as a LPR (once his visa has been issued) and leave, even temporarily, so soon after gaining LPR? I thought he would have to stay in the USA for a period of time before leaving, but I really don't know for sure?

I have a job contract in my home country until the end of June 2017, so I can't leave until then, but would want to move as soon as my contract is up here, so that I can get employed in the States as soon as possible (minimising my unemployment period). That's why I'm trying to plan out my application time period to meet this time frame. If I could stall on the Packet 3 part, it would definitely give us more flexibility!

[aleful 1,905]

hi

yes you can, you have up to 1 year since immigration requests anything for you to send it, until they consider the case to be abandoned

[NikLR 13,220]

Ir1/cr1 do not have a packet 3. K1 have a packet 3 that must be sent before the NOA2 expires.

[Thegirl 224]

Hi,

Is there a time limit that the completed Packet 3 documents must be submitted? I haven't started the process yet, but just trying to figure out if we could file the petition (to get it out of the way) and hopefully be approved, but then drag out the Packet 3 process so that we could submit it, say 3 months after receiving it, so that it could work better with my planned timeline to immigrate to the States. This would greatly help us figure out an ideal time frame of when to ideally submit our petition which would allow me to immigrate at our ideal time, but also allow time for any problems along the way.

Thanks in Advance,

Mike

There is no packet 3 anymore for CR1/IR1 so I am going to assume you mean the NVC stage which is when you send in the affidavit of support and Immigrant visa documents. You can drag this out for a long time. Once your case gets to NVC you simply do nothing. This part is dependent on how fast you pay fees and fill out forms and send off the documents so if you space it out you can drag it out. If you read the nvc guidelines you can have an idea of the time frames or follow the forums and other people's timelines to see how long each segment takes. All the best.

[MikMac 0]

Yes, I mean the NVC stage (sorry for the confusion), thanks for correcting that. That's great to hear, makes the process less stressful.

Thanks for all your help!

[NikLR 13,220]

You can really end up making the process stretch out years at the NVC stage so don't worry about sending in your petition ahead of time. It's better to be able to slow down than worry about it not being fast enough eh?

[gradtaai 8]

Hi,

Is there a time limit that the completed Packet 3 documents must be submitted? I haven't started the process yet, but just trying to figure out if we could file the petition (to get it out of the way) and hopefully be approved, but then drag out the Packet 3 process so that we could submit it, say 3 months after receiving it, so that it could work better with my planned timeline to immigrate to the States. This would greatly help us figure out an ideal time frame of when to ideally submit our petition which would allow me to immigrate at our ideal time, but also allow time for any problems along the way.

Thanks in Advance,

Mike

Since it looks like you are filing in Bangkok, there is a packet 3 ( unless things have changed in the last 2 months) and Yes you can take a year ( or longer if you notify them). And after that packet 4 can also be delayed.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas/packets.html

[NikLR 13,220]

DCF would be a little different obviously.

If that's the OP's plan, this post is in the wrong area and I can move it if they let me know.

[gradtaai 8]

My spouse and I were trying to figure out something similar, because he has a business that he owns in his country and he will need to extricate himself from that before he can move the US. That makes things tricky, especially when you factor in time limits and such. (From what I understand, after you have your interview and are approved, you have 6 months to enter the US.)

In the end, we have opted to go through the entire immigration process in a timely manner, without stretching anything out. Instead of trying to time it all perfectly so that his entering the US as a Lawful Permanent Resident coincides with him moving over permanently, we decided that he would come over on a visit to gain his status as a LPR, and then return to his country to tie up his life/loose ends there. Then he would make the permanent move to the US. That way there's no rush or stress, with trying to make it all match up.

(If anyone can comment on whether or not they have done this, or if there are any potential problems with this scenario, that would be great!)

I believe the 6 months is tied to the medical. You must enter before the validity of the medical runs out. He can leave and return. It is best that he stays 6 months during the year to keep his PR.

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/international-travel-permanent-resident

Edited June 30, 2016 by gradtaai

[MikMac 0]

@NLR, yes please feel free to move it to the relevant section, I wasn't sure whether to post it here or DCF initially. Thanks.

[YoungRL 4]

I don't know for sure, but can your husband enter the USA as a LPR (once his visa has been issued) and leave, even temporarily, so soon after gaining LPR? I thought he would have to stay in the USA for a period of time before leaving, but I really don't know for sure?

I have a job contract in my home country until the end of June 2017, so I can't leave until then, but would want to move as soon as my contract is up here, so that I can get employed in the States as soon as possible (minimising my unemployment period). That's why I'm trying to plan out my application time period to meet this time frame. If I could stall on the Packet 3 part, it would definitely give us more flexibility!

One of the pluses of the CR-1 (as listed in VisaJourney's comparison of marriage-based visas guide) is, "After entry into the US, as a Permanent Resident they will not require special permission to leave the US for travel. No Advance Parole (AP) document is required."

However, now I need to look into the information gradtaai had linked, because I believe the implication is if he stays away too long after gaining LPR status he could lose it.

[NikLR 13,220]

~~ moved to DCF via OP request from IR1/CR1 process and procedures~~