Is there a time limit on taking up residency?

[keiths 0]

Our daughter is soon to becom a US Citizen (passed test today) and will immediately file to sponsor us, her parents, to join her.

Question is - once it is approved do we have a time limit to arrive in the US for permanent residency? We would have to sell our house first and would not want to rush it.

Thanks

[sachinky 464]

Once the visa has been approved, you have 6 months to make the move before it expires.

[keiths 0]

Once the visa has been approved, you have 6 months to make the move before it expires.

Thanks for such a quick response and it was the answer that I was expecting. Just have to deal with it I suppose, when it happens. Anyone know if it can be extended if a big problem arises?

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Just don't file until you are ready to migrate. The intire process from begining to end can take A LONG AS 5 TO 9 months.

[wworld808 1]

Another option is your daughter can file your petition once she become a US citizen and when your visa has been approved you can come here to US and wait for your GC to arrive, then you can always go back and forth to your country. Your GC is good for 10 years but bE sure to get Re entry permit if you planning to stay longer to your country, that way your gc will not be jeopardize.

[aleful 1,905]

Thanks for such a quick response and it was the answer that I was expecting. Just have to deal with it I suppose, when it happens. Anyone know if it can be extended if a big problem arises?

no. the max is 6 months, so don't file if your not prepared to come at that time, or as they said, you can come and then leave again once you have your GC.

[Deb+Steve 13]

Your I-130 petitions can take up to 5 months for USCIS to approve. Once approved and your case is sent to the NVC, you will be able to manage the timeline by submitting the required documents to better suit you.

Just a thought ... best of luck ...

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Another option is your daughter can file your petition once she become a US citizen and when your visa has been approved you can come here to US and wait for your GC to arrive, then you can always go back and forth to your country. Your GC is good for 10 years but bE sure to get Re entry permit if you planning to stay longer to your country, that way your gc will not be jeopardize.

I like this option best.

Here are some more:

1. You can put the house up for sale immediately BUT what will you do if it sells before you need to leave? Do you have friends/family you could stay with? Bearing in mind changing your address in the middle of the process is a pain (if it's after you get the Visa but BEFORE you leave that's fine).

2. Put the house up for sale once the visa is approved. It is possible to negotiate a Contract of Sale from overseas, but you will be paying your lawyer higher than normal fees (shouldn't be a lot higher, depends on the firm because of calling overseas, mailing things overseas etc) BUT It could take a while to sell the house, do you need the money immediately?

3. Keep the house and set it up as a rental property. You are permitted to have overseas income while living in the U.S BUT you will need to report it on your US taxes. Good thing is under a certain amount it's not taxable, someone else will know this income amount, I think it was a lot (like $86K or something)

4. Let some family members move into your house for a while to "house sit" until you are able to get back to sell everything.

In most of these options you will need to pack up your house and decide what you are willing to sell WITH the house, whether you want to give stuff away, have a garage sale, give stuff to family members or send stuff overseas. You will need to start thinking about the costs involved with sending things overseas. Sending via boat actually wasn't that much cheaper I remember (than I thought it was going to be) but the weight of things matter. Maybe you could sell some things on eBay? Maybe some family members want to buy some things?

A move overseas is expensive and there's a lot to think about. (like any debts you have and paying them from the US... sending money overseas isn't always cheap so paying your credit card for instance is a pain...)

Good luck