JoeVisa

You need to call USCIS (800) 375-5283‬ by November 4, 2020, and find out if there is anything they can do about your mom's situation. Depending on the virus, flight availability, and the election. They should have some clear information for you. Just make sure you guys have all documentation such as a round trip ticket or any canceled tickets, travel advisory, and so on. 😷🤒

Thank you all.  Yes, any Green cardholder or LPR can stay outside of the country for more than 6 months but less than a year without needing any type of paperwork, etc.

So, to put a twist on this issue, let's say an LPR will be closing to 1-year stay outside of the country on April 2020 (from April 2019) and its a lockdown and no flights available due to coronavirus.

Then, two things need to happen:  1) The LPR needs to apply for a Form I-131 before leaving abroad and 2) The LPR can apply for Form SB-1 returning resident to the US Embassy or Consulate to be able to return back to the US.

3 hours ago, payxibka said:

 

Thank you @payxibka for your reply and helping out as well.

3 hours ago, Hank_ said:

 

6 months is not the deadline for being outside of the USA as a green card holder it is ONE year.   If you will be outside the USA over a year you need to submit the I-131 (Advance Parole).

 

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

 

If you plan on being absent from the United States for longer than a year, it is advisable to first apply for a reentry permit on Form I-131. Obtaining a reentry permit prior to leaving the United States allows a permanent or conditional permanent resident to apply for admission into the United States during the permit’s validity without the need to obtain a returning resident visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. Please note that it does not guarantee entry into the United States upon your return as you must first be determined to be admissible; however, it will assist you in establishing your intention to permanently reside in the United States. For more information, see the Travel Documents page.

If you remain outside of the United States for more than 2 years, any reentry permit granted before your departure from the United States will have expired. In this case, it is advisable to consider applying for a returning resident visa (SB-1) at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. An SB-1 applicant will be required to establish eligibility for an immigrant visa and will need a medical exam. There is an exception to this process for the spouse or child of either a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or civilian employee of the U.S. Government stationed abroad on official orders. For more information on obtaining a returning resident visa, see the Department of State’s webpage on returning resident visas.

Additionally, absences from the United States of six months or more may disrupt the continuous residency required for naturalization. If your absence is one year or longer and you wish to preserve your continuous residency in the United States for naturalization purposes, you may file an Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes on Form N-470. For more information, please see the Continuous Residence and Physical Presence Requirements page.

Thank you @Hank_ for your input as well and fortifying this 6-month issue.

11 hours ago, Stevephoto said:

This is a very good and interesting point. I wonder if there will be any exemptions down the road if the applicant can prove that the absence was beyond their control (i.e., the Manila "shutdown.") Just curious.

Yes, @Stevephoto this is good to know if you will be applying for Naturalization in the future.

14 hours ago, millefleur said:

**Duplicate thread removed; please do not post the exact same question in multiple forums as this is considered spamming the boards. Keep all discussion around your original question to this thread.**

Thank you @millefleur for taking care of our forums.  But could you do me a favor and move this thread to:
[US Visa Holder and Permanent Resident Immigration Discussion/ Working & Traveling During US Immigration]
as I think this is not just a Regional Discussion under the Philippines - other countries apply to this 6-month issues as well.  Thanks again, have a good day!

14 hours ago, geowrian said:

Just 6 months out once shouldn't be an issue.

Thank you @geowrian for your quick response regarding this 6-month issue.  Have you or some of your Green Card friends have this similar issue from the past?
I typed in "Green Card six month" search and One of the website mention this:  "Staying outside the United States for more than 6 months but less than one year will subject you to additional questioning when you return to the United States but you are not required to have a Reentry Permit and shouldn’t have any problems getting back in."

What can a Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) DO if not able to return within six months (from Nov 15, 2019 to May 15, 2020) outside of the country (Cebu, Philippines.)  Due to "Lockdown / Corona-virus & no Flight availability?"      😷Because others say you will have a problem if you stay outside the US for more than 6 months?! 🤕 

Hi, dwightcharles! My wife also got this email reply. So, all the information here should be good to go.

We'll definitely find out for sure the next few weeks! Thank you so much for your detailed information.

Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 09:37:26 -0600
Subject: Phil Passport validity for 6 month rule query
From:
To: binoc_immigration@hotmail.ph

On Tue, Mar 3, 2015 at 2:21 AM, Bureau of Immigration National Operations Center<binoc_immigration@hotmail.ph> wrote:

Hi Saylin! Thank you so much... you're the BEST! I mailed the AOS a few days ago and just waiting for the IV Fee Bill to be generated. Have a nice day!

JoeVisa Stepson Timeline

08/16/11 Sent Stepson I-130 Petition to Chicago.

08/18/11 Priority date and Notice date 8/19/11

03/06/12 Received NOA2 Approval Notice Unmarried child (under age 21)

03/28/12 Received NVC Case# IIN# (via email) & emailed DS-3032 from Son in PI.

04/01/12 AOS Fee Paid Online (status Paid on 4/6)

04/14/12 Mailed AOS and waiting for IV Fee Bill to be paid.

Hi all, you guys did a great job of helping out with my wife's petition last year, but now I am working on my Stepson's petition and ready to submit an Affidavit of Support. My question is can I use the last 3 years of Income Tax Form 1040 and Tax Return Transcript for the year 2008, 2009 and 2010 or do I have to wait till the 2011 tax return gets processed to file the AOS for my Stepson?

I just wanted to make sure about this step as the AOS with 2010, 2009 and 2008 are ready to go and April 15, 2012 is approaching. Thank you again in advance for your reply and any input regarding this matter. Have a nice day!

JoeVisa Stepson Timeline

08/16/11 Sent Stepson I-130 Petition to Chicago.

08/18/11 Priority date and Notice date 8/19/11

03/06/12 Received NOA2 Approval Notice Unmarried child (under age 21)

03/28/12 Received NVC Case# IIN# (via email) & emailed DS-3032 from Son in PI.

04/01/12 AOS Fee Paid Online (status Paid on 4/6)

04/xx/12 IV Fee Bill Paid Online (status Paid on 4/xx and printed Barcoded Coversheets)

04/xx/12 Express mail both the I-864s AOS and IV DS-230

04/xx/12 Case completed file shipped to USEmanila: arrived 5/xx/12

05/xx/12 Scheduled Medical/Interview for 05/xx/12

06/xx/12 Visa approved but delivered on 06/xx/12.

06/30/12 POE – Detroit (hoping for 4th of July celebration!)

Hello, again!!! Happy April 11th to all!!! As you could see, I am in the process of taking care of the AOS for my Stepson and just wanted to make sure that I am doing the right thing here (with my joint sponsorship AOS, specifically the Form 1040s and Tax Return Transcript for 2011.)

Can I still use the previous 1040's (2010, 2009 and 2008) which I have submitted for my wife's petition last year or would I have to wait till the 2011 income tax return gets processed? Thank you in advance for your help and input.

JoeVisa Stepson Timeline

08/16/11 Sent Stepson I-130 Petition to Chicago.

08/18/11 Priority date and Notice date 8/19/11

03/06/12 Received NOA2 Approval Notice Unmarried child (under age 21)

03/28/12 Received NVC Case# IIN# (via email) & emailed DS-3032 from Son in PI.

04/01/12 AOS Fee Paid Online (status Paid on 4/6 and IV Fee Bill Generated).

04/11/12 VJ revisited for Form 1040 question on 2011 income tax return.

04/xx/12 IV Fee Bill Paid Online (status Paid on 4/xx and printed Barcoded Coversheets)

04/xx/12 Express mail both the I-864s AOS and IV DS-230

04/xx/12 Case completed file shipped to USEmanila: arrived 5/xx/12

05/xx/12 Scheduled Medical/Interview for 05/xx/12

06/xx/12 Visa approved but delivered on 06/xx/12.

06/30/12 POE – Detroit (hoping for 4th of July celebration!)

To Darnell and Ryan H -- You two are simply my Quan of Good Samaritans!!! Please continue your excellent support and advice to those who are still on their journeys!!! God bless you both and your families!!! Happy Holidays!!! :wow:

Thank you Aya820, jojolicious and caly!!! Yes, it worked out just as planned and I'm still recuperating from my situation and will check in next month for some more test and exams.

May the blessings and happiness of this Christmas Season bring joy to you and your love ones.

Forever yours in gratitude and prayers to all VJ members!!! :whistle: :thumbs:

Mrs. Joe Visa says, "To all those spouses waiting for their journey: Be patient, pray and persevere. It will come and its worth the wait." (F)

Hello all, sorry took so long to reply but I was hospitalized for a week and now I'm for some update. :whistle:

My wife finally received her visa/passport on Dec. 7 but the consulate already approved the Visa Dec. 2 and didn't make the batch to be shipped out on a timely basis. At this time, my wife is already here in Texas, USA and she arrived Dec. 12Th Monday. :dance:

Thank you for your unending support and you guys are wonderful and correct about not needing a lawyer!

God bless you all!!! :thumbs: More power to visajourney!!! :thumbs:

What a spouse provides is not a CENOMAR. It's an NSO marriage certificate or what you might call a CEMAR. Obviously a spouse cannot obtain certification that they are unmarried.

Thanks for your input pushbrk!!! Yes, you're correct about the CENOMAR and that's why we have submitted the CEMAR in NSO paper beforehand to NVC. What startled us is that the USEM Consul requested for a "CERTIFICATE OF NO MARRIAGE" bearing my wife's complete maiden name when in fact we are already married 4 years ago. How can one produce a certificate of marriage when she has been married 4 years ago?! It looks like the USEM doesn't read the papers thoroughly before the interview or they are really being careful nowadays since Phil. is one of a fraud country?!

They gave her a "reverification note" specifically to National Statistics Office to produce the document and its their USEM representative personnel who personally picks them up at the NSO office. Just to make sure they're getting the official document per se?! Is that why they don't put this type of revision on their instructions and policy?! At the same time her 6:30am interview batch there were closed to 15 applicants asked of this document also. I just don't know my wife said, "there could have been more right after..." maybe they're really so busy over there and that's why it's taking this long.

Thanks for the update, I was curious as to what the outcome of your wife's interview was. Hope she receives her passport with the visa back very soon.

Darnell

Joe - that's good news. re: waiting -sorry, there's always a queue, for each thing/timetick. Yer in a different queue now, for a different thing.

Thanks Ryan H and Darnell you guys are the best!!! So far no luck, we are waiting in que... and that's a pressing issue now as there are lots of other waiting ahead of us?! It's too bad that she can't join me yet for my medical procedure tomorrow! I really don't understand how their queing is done, why they can't separate the expedite to none?!

We did everything we we're told to do and bring... but either way we can't also request for a CENOMAR and NBI – it has to have a "USEmbassy reverification note!!!" A special request from the USEmbassy Manila to produce this form... i.e., how can NSO produce a cenomar when my wife is already married to me?! Also, of course my wife is really single before I married her already! She was told by the consulate "No problem... get us the documents and you're all set?!" Almost a month ago now... is there a "quota" to immigrate? Jeez dear Lord!

This has been an issue now... delayed iussuance of visa and passport?!

My wife is on the same boat. We did everything we were told to do and bring... but either way we can't also request for a CENOMAR and NBI – it has to have a "USEmbassy reverification note!!!" A special request from the USEmbassy Manila to produce this form... i.e., how can NSO produce a cenomar when my wife is already married to me?! Also, of course my wife is really single before I married her already! She was told by the consulate "No problem... get us the two documents and you're all set?!" They kept her passport "good sign" but almost a month ago now... nothing yet!? Is there a "quota" to immigrate? Jeez dear Lord!

Looking good!!! Have fun and enjoy the trip!!!

Good luck and God bless us all!!! :thumbs:

ooooops, your last post answered it alreadyd.. was looking at the first page

Don't hurt yourself too much Since you guys have an interview next month you might want to check these two links: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/338753-interview-questions/ and http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/337566-us-embassy-manila-interview/ Good Luck and God bless!

We are on the same situation.. My interview was November 2, but had 221g because of passport..

They received my passport on Nov 17, and now still waiting..

Wow... you just forgot to bring your passport, oh my! Hope you get it soon and try to phone and email them at this link: http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3023/contact-us.html Good luck and God bless!

Hope this helps. Keeping her passport is a good sign she only need to resubmit the same documents with the old name.

Thanks Aileen for your prompt reply!!! We already submitted all the new documents right away! So all we need to do now is just wait patiently. I was hoping that my wife can join me here already so she can help me with my medical treatment and all... but that's okay! God's will! Take care and hope you get yours soon! God bless!

Just wanted to update you guys... My wife's interview was successful on November 9th but the Consulate issued a 221(g.) Specifically for “CENOMAR (CErtificate of NO MARriage) and NBI (National Bureau of Investigation - no criminal record)” due to name changed but luckily they kept her passport which is a good sign!!! The USEmbassy received both the required documents on November 18th and now we're awaiting for the issuance of VISA/PASSPORT. I don't get it why it's taking so long for the Consulate to issue this Visa. We submitted immediately the necessary papers and I just don't know, when? Anyway, that's it for now... hope you guys are well and God bless us all!!!

Hi, everyone! My wife's interview was successful on November 9th but the Consulate issued a 221(g.) Specifically for “CENOMAR (CErtificate of NO MARriage) and NBI (National Bureau of Investigation - no criminal record)” due to name changed but luckily they kept her passport which is a good sign!!! The USEmbassy received both the required documents on November 18th and now we're awaiting for the issuance of VISA/PASSPORT.

Now, my question is for everyone who had a similar experience in the past 3 months and how long did it take you to receive your approved VISA with your passport and most especially outside of Manila?? Thanks for your reply and hope all is well with you guys!!! God bless!!!