Beeptweet

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

I think consulting both is a good idea. Tax advisor - he needs to find one who understands international taxation and a bit of immigration.

 

I agree, LPR tax obligations may be much are much higher than any one time consult fees.

You have given me a new topic for PHD. I am grateful to you guys.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

9 minutes ago, OldUser said:

US is a big country, and can fit different types of lifestyle, but it sure is expensive. The work culture is pretty intense subjectively (at least compared to certain European countries). The health insurance arguably gets very expensive as you get older.

 

Have you ever visited the US? Do you have family or other connections in the US?

 

If I wanted a peaceful chill life, US wouldn't be in the top of places I'd pick. Australia can be a better fit for more laid back lifestyle (though it is expensive too).

On the other hand, if you want to work hard and build a decent retirement, it's possible in the US if you're in your late 30s /  early 40s.

Very well said.

I have never been to the U.S. before, although I have some very close relatives living there.

Our family moved from a third-world country to both the U.S. and Australia, so there is not much left to compare between the two in terms of lifestyle or opportunity.

Whenever I talk to my relatives in the U.S., they are often surprised and curious about how I obtained an EB2 visa while living on the other side of the world. They honestly have little idea about how life in Australia compares to life in the U.S.

10 minutes ago, igoyougoduke said:

1) How do you have an immigrant visa that is valid for 3 years ? they are usually only valid for 6 months max. 

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?

10 hours ago, OldUser said:

@Beeptweet to elaborate on taxation point @appleblossom mentioned already in this thread... 

 

US is a pretty unique country. Green card holders (LPRs) and US citizens must report their world wide income every year to IRS. So even if you don't live in the US and make money elsewhere, you must report your income and potentially pay taxes in the US too. There is foreign income exclusion and other things which are complex. The penalties for non complying can be severe. And you only stop being LPR when you file and sign form I-407 or immigration judge takes away your status. 

 

Think twice before activating your immigrant visa, especially if you're not sure about living in the US. You may get obligations you never asked for.

 

Good luck!

Considering long-term goals at my age, near 40, I do not think missing the opportunity to keep the case at NVC would be something I would deeply regret in the future. Of course, things change over time.

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?

Option 2: Alternatively, what if I visit the U.S. during my 2025 Christmas break to make the initial entry, and then return again during the next Christmas break 2026?

I understand these options may sound high-risk, and perhaps even unconventional, but I believe evaluating all possibilities is the only way to make an informed decision.

What is your recommendation above all?

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

All men (citizens and GC holders) between 18 and 25 must register for Selective Service, which means potential conscription:

 

https://www.sss.gov/

I am well above 25 now, approaching 40, and my focus has shifted toward planning a peaceful and stable retirement. I envision a simple lifestyle, perhaps spending my time growing vegetables in my backyard and enjoying a slower pace of life.

1 hour ago, appleblossom said:

 

Unfortunately, the time to hold it is when it's still at NVC, before a case is DQ'ed, as then it can be held indefinitely. Once it's DQ'ed and an interview is being scheduled it's too late to pause for long really. 

 

You certainly can try the re-entry permit, and it will buy you some time. But if you think your future lies in Australia you may not want to. In terms of taxes, it will depend on your personal situation and also which state you'd be 'resident' in. I'd get really good tax advice because the moment you land and activate that visa, you are a LPR and subject to all US taxation, so you might want to consult a pro first just to double check what your obligations will be. There may be income tax, capital gains tax, potentially exit tax if you decide to give your green card up at a later date. Probably other stuff too that I don't know about - CGT is top of my list at the mo as we're about to sell our UK property! You'll have to file taxes each year, including FBAR (massive penalties if you don't). But you may have nothing to pay (other than a couple of thousand annually for an accountant to file for you), as I said it will depend on your situation so best to get professional advice. 

 

You'll certainly need healthcare when you are resident, but again cost will depend on your personal situation. Ours was approx $2500 a month for a family of four when we were self funding if that helps, now we pay about $400 a month as it's subsidised by an employer. 

 

Good luck. 

I can see that you have a background quite similar to mine, and in fact, you are even more accomplished under the EB1 category. I am currently working in my field in Australia, but the financial figures you mentioned sound significantly higher. Even when converted to Australian dollars, we generally pay around 100 to 200 AUD for tax filing, which is claimable every year, and insurance typically ranges between 200 to 400 AUD per month.

I believe that in emergencies, it is important to review your insurance policy carefully. However, here in Australia it is usually manageable even without private insurance, regardless of whether you hold a high-paying position or not.

Considering long-term goals at my age, near 40, I do not think keeping the case at NVC would be something I would deeply regret in the future. Of course, things change over time.

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?

Option 2: Alternatively, what if I visit the U.S. during my 2025 Christmas break to make the initial entry, and then return again during the next Christmas break 2026?

I understand these options may sound high-risk, and perhaps even unconventional, but I believe evaluating all possibilities is the only way to make an informed decision

8 hours ago, igoyougoduke said:

 

Just so you know

 

1) Bank accounts : Most banks will not open an account unless you have a social security number. Some will open but you will be a foreigner holding a US bank account rather than a US resident if you cant get social security number

2) Social security number will take at least 2-3 weeks ( this is being super optimistic . they will only deliver to a US postal address

3) Drivers license cannot be obtained without a residency proof in a state. You need to have address proof of residency like electricity bill,  car registration etc . its not a given that they will give you license with a immigrant visa . you also need to pass a drivers license exam to get DL. 

 

Make sure to plan accordingly and good luck with your goals 

 

I truly appreciate this community. Everyone here is incredibly knowledgeable and offers valuable insights. I have decided to change my plan and not rush to file the re-entry permit immediately. I may travel first to complete my initial entry, spend some relaxing time with my family there, and take the opportunity to discuss, compare, and reflect. I will likely return to this post later to share my experience and learn from you all. I plan to lodge the re-entry permit around mid-2026.

18 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

Wise words. Tax obligations on LPR's and USC's are very onerous. There's also mandatory registration for selective service, depending on the OP's age. 

Thinking twice, holding the visa at the NVC stage, or moving out immediately are all options that have already passed. I have done my best to hold this process for a year at the embassy.

Now it is time to plan and accept the situation as it is, even if it means handing over the green card.

I am here simply to understand if there are any viable options to navigate this situation or if letting go of the visa is the only choice.

I do not believe I have any additional budget. I would appreciate it if you could explain the OP’s age criteria, mandatory registration requirements, and any other relevant details. This information would be very helpful. I also assume the healthcare system and insurance are mandatory there as well.

8 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

Sounds like a plan, just bear in mind you do need to show you've intended to make the US your permanent home. So get as many ties as you can, and of course, file tax returns! 

 

How long do you realistically think you need to be away from the US before you can move?

I appreciate your response and the time you took to reply. Yes, I completely understand your point. What I initially thought I could achieve in the U.S., I am now able to accomplish elsewhere, and I am currently in the process of completing my citizenship here.

At this stage, I would prefer to have the flexibility of being away from the U.S. for around three years. Life is unpredictable and you never know what may come next, but I do not want to let this visa go to waste. My goal is to secure a re-entry permit for at least two years, giving me time to reassess and make an informed decision.

I plan to travel during the winter Christmas break to complete my first entry. Then, around June 2026, I will apply for the re-entry permit to keep my options open.

Very thorught ful words @appleblossom.

Yes I have already done it once and not sure how much courage I have to left my current progression for USA.

I completely agree with what you said. Its my un spoken words.

So nice of you.

Thank you.

Thanks alot the quote from the instructions is: "The alien must
be physically present in the United States when they file the Reentry Permit application and complete the biometric
services requirement. After filing the application for a Reentry Permit, USCIS will inform the alien in writing when to
go to their local Application Support Center (ASC) for their biometric services appointment. (See Item 9. Biometrics
Services Requirement in the Required Evidence section of these Instructions."

I am now planning to just have a first entry and after 06 moth go again and apply for the re-entry. In my christman break I will just executing my first entry. 

If we require biometrics, the alien must appear for any required biometric services appointment BEFORE they leave the United States
 

I am struggling to find this statement on the form.

@appleblossom @OldUser

I am grateful for your valuable insights. I am now out of my bubble, realizing that succeeding with a re-entry permit is not as simple as a drive-through pickup. I completely agree with you.

Thank you for your comment. It is true that the process is not very fast, transparent, or straightforward. I already understand that. At this stage, the only option I have is to either let go of the idea of the U.S. or make the most of the 21 days I have. I can see your point that it may feel like a losing game, but I still want to give it a try.

The United States was not the only country I applied to. It was also not the only country that offered me residency. While I fully respect U.S. immigration regulations, compliance must align with one’s broader life and career commitments.

At this stage, my professional trajectory is already progressing in another country, and I cannot simply walk away overnight. I have existing obligations that I am currently fulfilling. Transitioning across continents requires time, planning, and the closure of ongoing responsibilities before starting a new chapter in a different part of the world.

@appleblossom

Thanks for your response. The reason behind my current plan is that I am already an LPR in another country, and things are progressing well there in terms of both my studies and career. I don’t want to disrupt that momentum or jeopardize the foundation I’m building professionally and academically.

My spouse, on the other hand, can stay in the U.S. for about 3–4 months at her sister’s place to manage a few key tasks — specifically, to collect both her SSN and Green Card, as well as mine. Once she receives her SSN, she’ll file for her re-entry permit, complete the biometrics process, and then return with both our physical SSN and Green Card documents.

As for me, I only have a 21-day window to complete my first entry. My plan during that short stay is to accomplish as much as possible:

1. Apply for the re-entry permit immediately after arrival.

2. Open a U.S. bank account.

3. Obtain a driver’s licence.

4. Secure the re-entry permit receipt before returning.

I understand that biometrics appointments are typically scheduled within a few weeks, but I’ve also read that certain applicants are exempted if their fingerprints are already on record. My justification for the re-entry permit is aligned with my ongoing educational commitments abroad.

I just want to ensure that this approach is compliant and that I’m not inadvertently putting my LPR status at risk.

@appleblossom @OldUser

I sincerely appreciate your time and the detailed responses provided. Your insights have been extremely valuable in helping me assess the situation comprehensively.

After careful consideration, I believe the most prudent course of action at this stage is not to apply for the re-entry permit immediately. Before initiating that process, I intend to first complete the following foundational steps:

1. Obtain my Social Security Number (SSN).

2. Receive my physical Green Card.

3. Open a U.S. bank account.

4. Secure a U.S. driver’s licence.

5. Return to my current country of residence.

6. After approximately one year, travel back to the United States.

7. Subsequently, apply for the re-entry permit.

At this point, the NVC process has been finalized, and the visa is already in hand. However, I am currently navigating multiple transitions in my professional and personal life and do not feel prepared to make such significant changes immediately.

While I fully recognize that many individuals wait years to reach this milestone, my decision is rooted in timing and readiness rather than lack of appreciation. I simply wish to pause, consolidate my current commitments, and proceed when circumstances are more aligned.

6 hours ago, OldUser said:

You can assume. But don't be dissapointed if it takes longer. Usually you don't even receive letter with receipt within 3 weeks of filing. More realistic timeframe is 2-3 months until biometrics appointment.

I am not in hurry for the decision. I just talking about the Application Received notice.