Moving to the US after GC activation

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Hi,

I am a lucky winner of the DV2017, i finish the whole process and just came back from the US to activate the GC and just got the GC on the mail.

My main issue right now is that i dont think i can move to the US with my family before summer 2018, because i started a new business last year and i cant leave it to someone before that.

 

I am planning on going a few times to the US until i finally move there for good, but i have a few questions, do i need to travel at least every 6 months or if i go every 11 months (less than 12 months) ok ? do i need to fly with my wife and kids every time i travel ?

 

I already opened a bank account and a new company in my last trip and i will of course file my taxes from this year.

 

Do you think there is a risk of losing residency ? do i need to ask for reentry permit ?

 

Thank you for your help

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

If you try go every 6 months or something you're going to hit problems sooner or later, it will be clear you're not a resident. A better option would be on your next trip to apply for a re-entry permit which will allow you to stay out of the US up to 2 years. Be aware you'd need to be in the US at least a few weeks to do this, to apply and then to do the biometrics. After that, you can leave as there is an option to get the actual permit sent to your closest embassy or consulate for pickup.

 

and yes, you need to do it for all of you if you all have green cards you need to keep. Each green card holder needs to maintain residency. 

[mid 0]

2 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

If you try go every 6 months or something you're going to hit problems sooner or later, it will be clear you're not a resident. A better option would be on your next trip to apply for a re-entry permit which will allow you to stay out of the US up to 2 years. Be aware you'd need to be in the US at least a few weeks to do this, to apply and then to do the biometrics. After that, you can leave as there is an option to get the actual permit sent to your closest embassy or consulate for pickup.

 

and yes, you need to do it for all of you if you all have green cards you need to keep. Each green card holder needs to maintain residency. 

thank you for your reply.

 

Can my next trip to apply for the reentry permit be 11 months after my initial trip ?

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

I guess... don't be surprised if you get asked a number of questions on reentry (happened to both my husband and I, one after a 5 month absence and one an 11 month one after initial trip). Given the timeline you described in your first post, I'm not sure why you'd need to wait that long. Even a rentry permit right now would give you a lot of leeway after summer 2018.  The more the absences and the longer the absences, the more questions you're likely to get.