Reentry Permit Filing: Do I Need to Stay Until Biometrics?

[igoyougoduke 1,702]

13 hours ago, Beeptweet said:

Yes its 6 months validity and if I do not travel to USA with in 6 months do I need file a new petition from scratch or after 3 years I just need to pay the fees of NVC and appear for the Interview again?

if you dont enter within the 6 month, the visa expires and you start again. 

[OldUser 10,693]

13 hours ago, Beeptweet said:

Yes its 6 months validity and if I do not travel to USA with in 6 months do I need file a new petition from scratch or after 3 years I just need to pay the fees of NVC and appear for the Interview again?

Yes, if it expires before you use it, it's like you never had it.

[appleblossom 5,095]

13 hours ago, Beeptweet said:

Option 1: Could you please clarify what would happen if I simply do not travel to the U.S. and keep the visa stamped on my passport for about three years?

 

As above, the visa expires and you have to start again. Keeping the case alive at NVC for years was only possible whilst the case was there, it's too late now. But our point was that if you don't want to subject yourself to the costs of having US LPR and tax obligations, just don't activate the visa. Your choice though - which is why I suggested you take professional tax advice first, to work out the financial implications of being a green card holder if you're living in Oz. If you decide it's going to be too expensive or too onerous, then at least you know and don't become a LPR without doing the research first. 

 

FWIW, I agree with the above, the US is the last place I'd go for a quiet peaceful life. Everything is financially driven, everything costs a small fortune, you get far less holiday each year than in other parts of the world, and the stress of needing to fund healthcare is ever present. It's also not a great place to be an immigrant at the moment, and I say that as a white British immigrant - other immigrant friends have had a much tougher time. We plan to be here for another couple of years (staying only for our kids, as they think they want citizenship) and then will give up our GC's and head back to the UK. 

 

Another thing to factor is as you're talking about retirement is how you'd fund that in the US. You'd need at least 10 years of SS contributions to get anything back, so if you work in the US for less than that, you'll be paying in to a system and then not getting that money back. And then you'd also have to fund your healthcare yourself - as I said above, ours was $2500ish a month, and that was with us in our 40's. I dread to think what it would be like as we got older! That's another big factor for us, in the UK we don't have to pay anything for healthcare. 

[Beeptweet 3]

14 hours ago, OldUser said:

Yes, if it expires before you use it, it's like you never had it.

THanks for your reply. Appreciate that. Would go in Dec 2025 for 2 weeks during my break activate that visa and will try for a reentry in June 2026. That is the only viable option I can see at the moment.

[Beeptweet 3]

20 hours ago, appleblossom said:

 

As above, the visa expires and you have to start again. Keeping the case alive at NVC for years was only possible whilst the case was there, it's too late now. But our point was that if you don't want to subject yourself to the costs of having US LPR and tax obligations, just don't activate the visa. Your choice though - which is why I suggested you take professional tax advice first, to work out the financial implications of being a green card holder if you're living in Oz. If you decide it's going to be too expensive or too onerous, then at least you know and don't become a LPR without doing the research first. 

 

FWIW, I agree with the above, the US is the last place I'd go for a quiet peaceful life. Everything is financially driven, everything costs a small fortune, you get far less holiday each year than in other parts of the world, and the stress of needing to fund healthcare is ever present. It's also not a great place to be an immigrant at the moment, and I say that as a white British immigrant - other immigrant friends have had a much tougher time. We plan to be here for another couple of years (staying only for our kids, as they think they want citizenship) and then will give up our GC's and head back to the UK. 

 

Another thing to factor is as you're talking about retirement is how you'd fund that in the US. You'd need at least 10 years of SS contributions to get anything back, so if you work in the US for less than that, you'll be paying in to a system and then not getting that money back. And then you'd also have to fund your healthcare yourself - as I said above, ours was $2500ish a month, and that was with us in our 40's. I dread to think what it would be like as we got older! That's another big factor for us, in the UK we don't have to pay anything for healthcare. 

I completely understand your perspective and genuinely relate to what you’ve expressed, as I’m experiencing the same emotions myself. My family resides in the USA, and I also wish to visit them. Since I already hold this visa, I’m considering using it as an opportunity to spend some quality time with my family, explore a few places in the USA, and then return to Australia to continue my life here. You’re absolutely right about the challenges involved in becoming an LPR, but at the same time, letting this visa simply expire on my passport feels equally difficult for me.

 

At this stage, my tentative plan is to travel in December 2025 for around 15 days to visit my family. My spouse and child will stay for approximately two months to complete their re-entry permit formalities. If they manage to complete their biometrics within that period, they will return to Australia with me. After about six months, once I have received my Green Card and SSN, I intend to revisit the USA to apply for a re-entry permit to buy some additional time.

 

To be transparent, I hold a passport from a developing country and have not yet acquired Australian citizenship. Until I become an Australian citizen, I cannot afford to disregard this immigrant visa. For now, I consider it a strategic backup plan while I continue to build my life and eligibility here in Australia.

[OldUser 10,693]

@Beeptweet using immigrant visa / GC like visitors visa will inevitably lead to complications in your immigration history, potentially losing status and potentially losing ability to come to the US easily on ESTA when you get Australian citizenship. But I guess no matter what we say here, you already made up your mind and going to stick to a plan. I can't add anything else here other than wishing good luck!

Edited Wednesday at 02:21 PM by OldUser

[mam521 2,702]

18 minutes ago, OldUser said:

@Beeptweet using immigrant visa / GC like visitors visa will inevitably lead to complications in your immigration history, potentially losing status and potentially losing ability to come to the US easily on ESTA when you get Australian citizenship. 

I have to agree.  

 

If you have managed to remove yourself from an unlucky situation, landed in Australia and have built a good life, stick with that. Commit to Australia and get yourself into a healthy financial situation where you can put your child through university and get your wife and yourself happily and comfortably into retirement.  Create and fund a travel fund and visit your family in the US.  

 

Back up plans are great, but a lack of planning and commitment is inevitably going to lead to failure.  Immigration is very much a privilege and absolutely not a right.  By pushing the limits of what your American visa is for may blow up spectacularly in your face.  The current administration is not playing games when it comes to following the rules. You may find yourself without a greencard and even worse, potentially with a travel ban to the US.  

 

You also have to think about your child in all of this - if that child activates their LPR and never moves to the US, they are on the hook for filing income taxes for the rest of their life.  My kids would be pretty angry with me if I set them up for a commitment like that when they weren't old enough to have a say.  

[Beeptweet 3]

11 hours ago, OldUser said:

@Beeptweet using immigrant visa / GC like visitors visa will inevitably lead to complications in your immigration history, potentially losing status and potentially losing ability to come to the US easily on ESTA when you get Australian citizenship. But I guess no matter what we say here, you already made up your mind and going to stick to a plan. I can't add anything else here other than wishing good luck!

 

11 hours ago, mam521 said:

I have to agree.  

 

If you have managed to remove yourself from an unlucky situation, landed in Australia and have built a good life, stick with that. Commit to Australia and get yourself into a healthy financial situation where you can put your child through university and get your wife and yourself happily and comfortably into retirement.  Create and fund a travel fund and visit your family in the US.  

 

Back up plans are great, but a lack of planning and commitment is inevitably going to lead to failure.  Immigration is very much a privilege and absolutely not a right.  By pushing the limits of what your American visa is for may blow up spectacularly in your face.  The current administration is not playing games when it comes to following the rules. You may find yourself without a greencard and even worse, potentially with a travel ban to the US.  

 

You also have to think about your child in all of this - if that child activates their LPR and never moves to the US, they are on the hook for filing income taxes for the rest of their life.  My kids would be pretty angry with me if I set them up for a commitment like that when they weren't old enough to have a say.  

 

To be transparent, I have not fully made up my mind yet. I genuinely respect your experience and the risks you have highlighted. Your insights are highly valuable and thought provoking.

However, my initial question was mainly about understanding the standard processing timeframe for a reentry permit. The discussion naturally expanded into the advantages, disadvantages, and potential consequences of the decision.

To be honest, I do not feel entirely settled in life right now to categorically decline this opportunity. Once I achieve greater stability and perhaps citizenship in another country, I might then inform the authorities that our circumstances have changed and we no longer intend to immigrate. I believe we would not be the only ones taking such a path.

At this stage, my situation in Australia remains fluid. I am on a visa, the job market is uncertain, and the future is unpredictable. Given that I have the financial capacity to travel, pay the reentry fees, and stay comfortably with relatives, I see no reason to make an irreversible decision yet. I am not rushing to declare a definite no to immigration or an immediate yes to relocating to the United States tomorrow.

[Beeptweet 3]

11 hours ago, OldUser said:

@Beeptweet using immigrant visa / GC like visitors visa will inevitably lead to complications in your immigration history, potentially losing status and potentially losing ability to come to the US easily on ESTA when you get Australian citizenship. But I guess no matter what we say here, you already made up your mind and going to stick to a plan. I can't add anything else here other than wishing good luck!

Thanks for sharing this thought. It has been really helpful. I will make sure to have the reentry permit in hand rather than just traveling in and out without proper documentation.

[Beeptweet 3]

15 hours ago, mam521 said:

I have to agree.  

 

If you have managed to remove yourself from an unlucky situation, landed in Australia and have built a good life, stick with that. Commit to Australia and get yourself into a healthy financial situation where you can put your child through university and get your wife and yourself happily and comfortably into retirement.  Create and fund a travel fund and visit your family in the US.  

 

Back up plans are great, but a lack of planning and commitment is inevitably going to lead to failure.  Immigration is very much a privilege and absolutely not a right.  By pushing the limits of what your American visa is for may blow up spectacularly in your face.  The current administration is not playing games when it comes to following the rules. You may find yourself without a greencard and even worse, potentially with a travel ban to the US.  

 

You also have to think about your child in all of this - if that child activates their LPR and never moves to the US, they are on the hook for filing income taxes for the rest of their life.  My kids would be pretty angry with me if I set them up for a commitment like that when they weren't old enough to have a say.  

I completely agree with your perspective and it truly reflects what I feel as well. Honestly, I believe it is better to first become a citizen and focus on building stability here in Australia. In the end there will always be an option to step back if needed. I can take extended leave later and complete the re entry permit process properly.

 

Making an early decision is a great approach but I admit it is equally difficult for me too.

 

l be l should give myself some time to have more thought on this.

[appleblossom 5,095]

13 hours ago, Beeptweet said:

I might then inform the authorities that our circumstances have changed and we no longer intend to immigrate

 

Just to be clear, it's not a case of informing authorities that you no longer intend to immigrate. The moment you 'land' and activate your visa, you become a LPR of the US, with all the obligations that entails as mentioned above. You would need to formally renounce your status, but would then potentially be subject to exit tax and it could have other tax implications. Not saying you can't do it of course, but unfortunately it's not as simple as just informing somebody! 

 

If you're on the fence, I'd still take professional tax advice before December, so you can be made aware of what tax obligations you'll have from that point on. 

Edited yesterday at 04:07 PM by appleblossom

[Beeptweet 3]

22 hours ago, appleblossom said:

 

Just to be clear, it's not a case of informing authorities that you no longer intend to immigrate. The moment you 'land' and activate your visa, you become a LPR of the US, with all the obligations that entails as mentioned above. You would need to formally renounce your status, but would then potentially be subject to exit tax and it could have other tax implications. Not saying you can't do it of course, but unfortunately it's not as simple as just informing somebody! 

 

If you're on the fence, I'd still take professional tax advice before December, so you can be made aware of what tax obligations you'll have from that point on. 

Good point. Appreciate your input.
Do you happen to have any recommendations for a professional I could schedule a session with? I reached out to one firm, but their quote was USD 350 for a 30-minute consultation, so I thought I’d pause and seek a few recommendations first

[OldUser 10,693]

18 minutes ago, Beeptweet said:

Good point. Appreciate your input.
Do you happen to have any recommendations for a professional I could schedule a session with? I reached out to one firm, but their quote was USD 350 for a 30-minute consultation, so I thought I’d pause and seek a few recommendations first

This is a pretty normal price. Lawyers' time is very expensive. $350 is not that much for crucial info about life affecting decisions. 30 minute doctors visit in US often costs similar amount. Move to the US can costs thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars in general.

Edited 7 hours ago by OldUser

[Beeptweet 3]

2 minutes ago, OldUser said:

This is a pretty normal price. Lawyers' time is very expensive. $350 is not that much for crucial info about life affecting decisions. 30 minite doctors visit in US often costs similar amount.

Happy to pay what ever is the market cost. It`s point less debate. Just wanted to have some recommendation so that I directly to a good doctor.

[OldUser 10,693]

Just now, Beeptweet said:

Happy to pay what ever is the market cost. It`s point less debate. Just wanted to have some recommendation so that I directly to a good doctor.

I'd say whoever you talk to, check AILA Lawyer Search website https://www.ailalawyer.com/ to ensure they're a legitimate lawyer. Many lawyers are part of it.