Steps to Surrender Green Card and Get the Visitors Visa

[Vik110092]

My Mother visited me several time to USA on a visitor visa. I sponsored her Green Card as I am a US Citizen. She received the Card from US Consulate at New Delhi India in August 2011. The GC is valid for 10 years. Per instruction provided at the consulate then, she should travel within 60 days. She visited USA for 3 months, and then returned to India in December 2011 to arrange for a longer stay with me.

My mother came to USA on April 26, 2012, for a long term star and unfortunately my elder brother was hospitalized on May 18th due to severe health condition. My mother returned to be with him on May 24. Prior to my mom’s return, I contacted the National Visa Center in USA, who suggested that she can be out of USA for a max. period of 12 months without any condition/permit.

My brother will be requiring a prolonged medical treatment. With this, my mom prefer to be with him and now donot intend to live with me in USA. Green Card is a time bound, and instead now she is thinking of surrendering her GC for a Visa.

Please suggest what should be the right course? Should she surrender her GC and apply for visa? When should she surrender her GC? Will she get the travel Visa? What are the steps to surrender the green card? and what she needs to do to get the visitors visa.

Thanks,
Vikrant

[cafeconleche]

She can surrender her GC at the embassy in Delhi. Check https://www.immihelp.com/abandonment-of-greencard/ for instructions. She can simultaneously apply for a B2 visa, and because she will be surrendering her GC at the same time, she is almost guaranteed to be issued a 10-year visa.

Alternately, if she has a few weeks, she can travel to the US, apply for a re-entry permit (form I-131), give fingerprints, and then leave for India and wait for it there. This will let her remain out of the US for an additional 2 years, in case she decides to move back later.

[SyedIjaz]

Any further update?

Vikrant,
My dad is in the same boat, a unexpired GC but with more than 2 years out of US. He is currently in Karachi and does not want to stay in US. He is 88 years and prefers to now stay with my other brothers and his grand children in Pakistan / UAE, but would like to come and visit me in US.

I am just wondering the outcome or any further update on your mother's surrender and visit visa conversion. So, that I can take the appropriate next steps and get his GC converted to Visit visa as well.
Thanks,
-Syed

[vidhyagowri]

Hi

Hi Vikrant,

Any update on your mom's status now? My dad is here with me for the past 3 years as a GC holder. He wants to move back and convert his GC to travelers visa.
Appreciate your response or any body who has gone through this process if you can guide me that would very very helpful
Thanks
Vidhya