GabVal

You'll be fine, especially if you are coming on a one-way ticket... the CBP officer may ask a couple of questions to ensure you haven't abandoned residence...just answer the same way that you have stated the reasons above. Although some people fuss about 6 months, which you've probably seen and is worrying you, it is 12 months that is the presumption of abandoning residence. 3 members of my family were out for 11 months, and I know others who did this too. (Just: don't do it repeatedly of course! They understand people, especially DV winners with a relatively quick process, may need time to sort things out before making the final move. Doing it repeatedly to keep a green card while actually living elsewhere is what causes problems, but that's not what you're doing.)

Note though that your 5-year period for naturalization will reset to starting again the next time you enter.

Thank you SusieQQQ! Yes, this time is for real.

Hello everyone, I am a 2015 DV winner, I went to the States last September the 4th, and I stayed there until December the 14th. The reason why I went back to my country was because I had certain things unfinished, but now I am ready to go back for good.

My flight is this June the 21st, the thing is, I heard I might have some problems with the border officer due to my time out of the States. It's gonna be 6 months and 1 week, that's the exact time out of the States.

Am I in trouble to re enter the country? Is there anyone here with a similar experience? Do I have to actually do something or just enter with my GC in hand?

Thank you in advance for your help!

That is really fast for a GC, wow!!!

Yeah it is! I went today to my local SSA, they told me there was a problem and I had to fill a form I-94 I think, and I did it. So according to them I'll receive my card in about 10 days.

I should've known that before

It goes in the mailbox, no signing, BUT 3 weeks is a long time to wait for it I think... ours arrived in about 7 working days. I think you should go down to your local SSA office and check that the application is in progress, sometimes things go wrong. Good luck!

I just receive my GC, isn't that weird? It took three weeks to have my GC, but I still don't have my Social Security Card. I'm going to my nearest SSA office this Monday to see what's going on with it Thanks Susie!

we got ours today in the mail / no signing for it

Congratulaitions

Awesome! Thanks a lot!

If it's worth it or not depends on you. Three weeks ago I left my country to live here and start a new life. I'm from Chile, so all my friends and relatives are 8000 KM away from me. It's not easy at all, but I think if you make a decision you have to put all your energy and good vibes on it. This is not a game, it's about your life, so you really need to have a good reason to move far away. This country can offer you many great opportunities to succeed in life, but if you are NOT 100% sure and optimistic about it, I'd tell you don't do it, at least until you really make a decision.

It doesn't depend on the country, or how far is your job from home, it only depends on you and what you want for your life.

GOOD LUCK!!

Hello everyone! I am a 2015 DV Visa winner and it's been three weeks since I arrived to the States. Everything went excellent.

I was just wondering, 'cause I know that my Social Security Card should arrive home in these days, and I'm almost all day out working so, do I have to stay at home at the moment my card gets home? I mean, because sometimes you have to like sing a paper in order to obtain it. Or they just put it in the house mailbox? Sorry if it's a Silly question, but I need to show the card to my employer ASAP and I really don't know if it's necessary to stay at home to receive it.

Thanks a lot in advance, hugs from Pittsburgh PA!!!

Hello everyone, just to be sure:

I just paid the GC immigrant fee (US$165).

My "case status" shows a "LifeCycle for US Immgrant Fee" which now is in "Optimized". Is it going to be in that status until I arrive to the States?

I ask this because the website shows 2 parts left after "optimized", which are "Closed" and then "reopened".

Sorry if it is a silly question, but it's just to be sure

Thanks!

if your experience entering the USA the first time was like my wife's in Atlanta, then I see no way for you to make that Pittsburg flight.

There was two people at the P.O.E. in Atlanta, and we were more than 1 and 1/2 hours (my wife and one other woman).

We almost missed our flight to Columbia, SC, and we had an almost 2 and 1/2 hour layover!

It was a one time experience, but it would seem these POE people have no urgency, or any courtesy! Really I have posted this many times, they were down right rude!

Well I hope I can get that flight, but just to make sure I'll see if a can change the time to a later flight.

I've been reading some experiences entering the US from JFK and most of them are really good. Just read the story of someone who did it all in just 20 minutes from the moment she arrived at the airport. So it's obviously a matter of luck, so I'm optimistic haha.

Hmmmm there are shuttle buses from JFK to La Guardia, 45-60 minutes to transfer https://www.panynj.gov/airports/lga-airport-connections.html - it will also depend what terminal you are at

You will need to clear immigration, get your baggage, transfer on the shuttle and arrive at La Guardia what an hour before you depart?

Assuming the plane lands on time, unless you are first class you are realistically not going to get into the terminal before probably 9.05-9.15am at the earliest. Then it depends on the queue which depends on terminal, if they have a dedicated line for new immigrants or not at that terminal, etc. Longest I have spent in a queue at JFK immigration was 2.5 hours, which would knock you out the water immediately if that happens to you, but say ..more normal you will probably get through (wild guess) by 10h30. Unless there are a pile of people in secondary. Collect your baggage. Find the shuttle. Wait for it to arrive unless you are really lucky with timing. Hour to get to LGA. So, you could make it in time, but it requires a few "ifs" along the way and could be quite stressful. If it's possible to change that connecting flight to a later time or to one that leaves out of JFK, I would do that. Rather spend an hour wasting time in an airport Starbucks than deal with a missed flight.

Thanks! I'll try to change it to a later time then, just to make sure.

I'll let you know when the day arrives.

JFK is one of the biggest immigration POEs, so they are used to folks showing up with their big envelopes!

It's also a large airport, so the terminal at which you land means a slightly different "look" to the immigration desks. The time of day you arrive can make a huge difference on how much time it takes to get through. We arrived early in the morning, and were through in less than 20 minutes.

When you approach the immigration lines, there will be a uniformed guard/officer-of-some-sort helping people get into the correct lines. Go immediately up to him/her and say "I'm a new immigrant" and hold up your packet. Sometimes there is a special line for new immigrants (depending on terminal and time of day) and sometimes not.

I entered with my spouse (I'm the USC) and we both went into the USC line. Since you are a DV entrant, ask the guard/officer which line to get in.

You will be taken from the immigration booth to another room where your packet will be opened, and data will be entered into the US system. Again - getting through this step depends on how many flights have dumped out at the same time.

But at least the officers know what to do!

Best of luck, and have a great flight. Welcome to the US!

Sukie in NY

I'll arrive at JFK at 8:45 and havr another flight to Pittsburgh PA at 12:45, but this flight is in LaGuardia airport. Do you think it is enough time?

How much time does it take from JFK to LaGuardia?

Thanks for you answer!!!

It doesn't really matter when you pay the immigrant fee before you land, as you need to enter the U.S. to trigger production. Whether you pay now or the day before you leave makes no difference. The only difference is if you pay after you land, which can delay issuance. If you've paid before you land it will probably take around a month. Also remember your stamped immigrant visa becomes a temporary green card for a year after you enter.

Re your first question, if you look at the links above there are POE reviews, look for JFK. There won't be much difference between DV and other immigrant visas from a POE perspective.

My stamped immigrant Visa becomes a temporary GC for a year, i didn't know that! What about the GC they send, does it have an expiration date too?

Thanks AGAIN Susie for your help

Hello! I'm flying to the USA on September the 3rd, everything is fine I just have two questions:

1- My POE will be New York JFK. Any suggestions or advices related to the entry at that airport?

2- Considering the date I arrive to the States (Sept 03), when is it good to pay for my green card at the USCIS web site? In other words, how long does it take to have my green card home in the US, from the moment I pay for it?

I ask this because I'd like to have it almost the same time I arrive.

Thank you in advance!!!

Hidden city flying only works if you don't have checked in baggage, which is highly unlikely to be the case for someone immigrating.

And those people who book round trips because the entire trip is cheaper still come out ahead even if they get absolutely nothing back on cancellation. My home country flag carrier charges between 50% and 100% more on a one way flight to the U.S. than the total for a round trip, depending on season. Who in their right mind is going to book one way? People who use them don't expect to get any refund and still come out way ahead.

Poor OP, all they wanted to know was if they needed a round trip, not start a debate on cheapest airfares and stern warnings about penalties for circumventing fare rules.

Haha don't worry Susie! It's perfectly clear for me now that no round trip ticket is needed. I found a one way ticket from "Delta" cheaper than a round trip from LAN, so my POE will be in Atlanta. Thanks a lot!

You should go to the embassy, your passport and your envelope should be ready by now.

Only the VWP requires a return ticket as part of the conditions of entry.

Yes I understand that too. I was just wondering what would happen if they find a reason to denie your entrance.

Thanks for your reply!

If you are immigrating legally I would not get a return ticket. If you are inadmissible the US will deport you for free lol

I didn't know that, are you sure they don't ask you to buy your ticket if they find you inadmissible? How do you know? Thanks for your reply!

It wouldn't make sense to expect everyone coming in to have a return ticket. Especially if it isn't used and you didn't cancel it, the airlines report you as leaving the country and that would cause tons of immigration issues when trying apply for green card/adjusting status or any number of others things. For clarity they would be the idiots, not you. Many people do buy round trip because it can be cheaper, just make sure you cancel once you are here so what I described above doesn't happen.

I understand. Thank you for your reply!

What kind of visa are you coming on? Obviously if you are immigrating here they aren't going to ask for a round trip ticket, that would be idiotic.

DV Visa.

I just thought they could ask you for a return ticket, in case they decide you're not eligible to enter the country. Remember that they, at the POE, can denie you the entrance if they find a reason why, even if you have your immigrant Visa. So that's why I'm asking.

Hi everyone, this might be a silly question, but I'm buying my tickets to the States next week, and I'm not really sure if there, at the POE, they ask you for a return ticket, in case you fail to enter the country or something. I don't know, but I'd rather ask you just to be sure. Thanks in advance!!

Today I had my interview and everything went superb!

First I had to pay the interview fee US$330

Then a woman took all the documentation i had and told me everything was in place.

Just for you to know, the Affidavit of support has to be sent by certificate mail, not printed, because they need the original signature of the sponsor.

Then i had to wait about 20 minutes and an official asked me some questions about the reasons i had for going to the States. And that was all! He told me "Well, everything is superb! See? It is THAT easy"

I want to thank everyone who helped me through this process, specially SusieQQQ, who's always there to help everyone here.

See you in the States!!

Hello everyone! At last I received the notification from KCC about my interview. It will take place in june 3rd.

Just one question, after the interview, if everything goes well, how much time do I have available before traveling to USA? I'd like to stay as much as i can, since i have family here in my country, and i want to stay with them before good bye.

Thanks!

Yes. Probably around 10 days or so, possibly earlier. You should get an email from KCC (sometimes goes into junk Mail) but all it will tell you is to check the ESC page anyway (same place you got your first notification). Make sure you have printed or saved your first letter as the second letter will overwrite it.

Thank you very much! I'll wait for that second letter then.

My CN is SA 105X does this mean i'll have the interview in June?

How long do i have to wait for my second letter? Thanks!!

Am I the only one here from South America? (Chile)

My CN is SA105x i thought May VB was going to be my turn, but the number didn't change at all from the last VB:

April: 1025

May: 1025

Is it normal? When do you think I'm gonna have my interview? Thanks!!!