Questions and Answers > Other Eb-5 Questions

How can I travel abroad before a green card is issued?

I just got my EB-5 visa from the U.S. consulate in my home country. I plan to travel to the U.S. with this visa next month. After entering the country, how long does it take for a green card to be issued? Can I leave the U.S. before obtaining the green card and ask my lawyer to mail it to my address abroad?

Answers

• A Olusanjo Omoniyi

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on December 10, 2019

  Typically, it takes between four to eight weeks to receive the green card. Advisably, you should not leave the U.S. before the green card is issued. You should plan to be in the U.S. for a few weeks to pick up your card. In addition, it is appropriate that you plan with your attorney on the duration of your departure from the U.S. so as to plan for either a short term or long term to stay out of the U.S. particularly because of the residency requirements you are supposed to fulfill.

• Lynne Feldman

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on December 9, 2019

  Yes, that will work. You can also travel on the immigrant visa so long as that is valid.

• BoBi Ahn

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on December 9, 2019

  It can take a couple of weeks for the card to be produced and sent out. Yes, you can depart before the card is issued and have someone mail it out to you.

• Bernard P Wolfsdorf

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on December 9, 2019

  In most cases, the cards are issued in a few weeks, but you can also use the endorsed immigrant visa in your passport for travel for up to one year.