Just won Green Card lottoery

[twostep]

Originally Posted by cheeser

Well in my case I guess it's a classic case of 'greener grass' syndrome. I went to the US on holiday back in 08 and loved the place, started making plans to go back for another visit straight away.

I then heard that a number of friends and acquaintances had entered and won the DV lottery over the years so I entered myself, and got selected on my first try.

I am looking to progress my career too, the size and scale of the bigger US corporates' IT Infrastructures dwarfs that of NZ. I understand I may have to take a step or three down the ladder to get my foot in the door, but for some strange reason that's one of the challenges that excites me the most.

I can completely understand the desire to move to either Aus or NZ too. The lifestyle here in NZ is fantastic, very laid back, very easy place to live.

Depending on where you are in the US - laid back and easy. Strangely often in places you would not expect it.

Take it or leave it - do not undersell youself!

[EVHB]

Originally Posted by EVHB

And regarding the differences in fees:
I think the pages from the other embassy's are not yet updates, some indidate that their last update was in 2011. So the new fees are probably everywhere $440. As states by the Department of State.

Starting April 2012, the fees will even be lower! Instead of $440/green card, it will become $330.
https://www.federalregister.gov/arti...onsulates#p-49

[cheeser]

This makes me very happy, as my Consulate Appointment is May 1st!

It will be interesting to see if the change has trickled down to lil ole NZ by then though.

[EVHB]

You can always point them to the official website. ;-)

[cheeser]

Originally Posted by EVHB

You can always point them to the official website. ;-)

haha yeah just imagine being that guy; "Hey person I want to convince to let me in to the US, you're charging me too much!"

I don't think I'd have the nerve.

[EVHB]

Lol!

[twostep]

Originally Posted by jimjack

congrats, hope u get through the process and remain in ur homeland

I assume you posted this with good intentions of congratulating and the sarcasm is unintentional.

[berryjim]

Hello,

I would really like to know more about the re-entry permit and how you get one. My wife and I won the green card lottery in March 2010 and entered the US to activate our cards in Aug 2010. We had the cards delivered to a friends address in the states and they were sent out to us in Feb 2011. I applied for a few jobs and in October last year got a conditional offer of employment for a start date in Feb this year. We could not move due to my wife having a baby (born March 13, 2012) and the next available start date with my employer is Feb 2013.

When we visited Vermont for my interview in October 2011 we were asked by the immigration officer whether we had actually moved to the US yet. When we explained that we did not yet have jobs he stated that our "settling in period" was going to be up in August 2012 (something I was not aware of). We are now worried that If we quit our jobs, sell our house and move in Feb 2013 we will be turned away at the border. I have called the Embassy in London but no one seems to know anything about Green Cards (they even wondered how we managed to get one if we didn't already have a job in the states!). So I appeal to you for information.

Please could you let me know more about this re-entry permit and what it entitles you to do. Thanks in advance for your help.

Jim

Originally Posted by mfowler

Hi, I'm an Aussie who got a green card via the lottery in 2009. I haven't moved over yet as had a few set backs but i now have a re-entry permit which allows me a bit more time before I move.

Let me know if you have any specific questions about the process and I'll do my best to answer!

Megs

[Davis1]

http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/B5en.pdf

[twostep]

Originally Posted by berryjim

Hello,

I would really like to know more about the re-entry permit and how you get one. My wife and I won the green card lottery in March 2010 and entered the US to activate our cards in Aug 2010. We had the cards delivered to a friends address in the states and they were sent out to us in Feb 2011. I applied for a few jobs and in October last year got a conditional offer of employment for a start date in Feb this year. We could not move due to my wife having a baby (born March 13, 2012) and the next available start date with my employer is Feb 2013.

When we visited Vermont for my interview in October 2011 we were asked by the immigration officer whether we had actually moved to the US yet. When we explained that we did not yet have jobs he stated that our "settling in period" was going to be up in August 2012 (something I was not aware of). We are now worried that If we quit our jobs, sell our house and move in Feb 2013 we will be turned away at the border. I have called the Embassy in London but no one seems to know anything about Green Cards (they even wondered how we managed to get one if we didn't already have a job in the states!). So I appeal to you for information.

Please could you let me know more about this re-entry permit and what it entitles you to do. Thanks in advance for your help.

Jim

USCIS - After a Green Card is Granted

To put it bluntly - a Green Card is not a "pond hopping at your convenience" visa. Green Card holders have certain responsibilities and moving their center of life to the US within a given period of time is one of them. All the deatails are in the link. I have never heard of a re-entry permit because an applicant does not have a job or is pregnant. Do you really want to immigrate?
A US Embassy is not an immigration counseling facility.