Can DV lottery immigrant travel without his family if they also got visas?

Question

I won the dv 2009 lottery. I listed my family with me to take visas.

Due to some circumstances, I will not be able to take them with me maybe for a year or two. What can I do?

If they travel for the first time, do they, like the principal applicant, have to stay out of the states for no more than 6 months or they are free to stay as long as they want?

Answer 1

No, they cannot stay abroad for 2 years.

The Immigrant visas that they will get in the USA Embassy are valid for ONLY 6 months after the date of issuance. What it means is that: yes, you can go to USA first (if you are a Primary immigrant), BUT they must follow you to USA within the next 6 months.

If their visas are expired, the USA Embassy will not be able to issue them new visas.

Please keep in mind the DV program is a Lottery, which is a "game of chance," and the US government does not allow re-issuance of the visas, especially after the end of this particular DV period (which is every year on September 30).

Every permanent resident must maintain residency in the USA and not spend abroad longer than one year at a time (or 6 months for continuity). It applies to all immigrants, whether they are your dependents or primary immigrants.

If there are some matters that they need to take care of before moving to US permanently, talk to a qualified USA immigration lawyer, and see what can be done.

Answer 2

If they don't come with you NOW it will be as long as 6 years before they can come on Priority 2a visas.  Plus, it will cost you thousands of dollars in fees.

Immigrants are expected to actually LIVE in the United States.  If your family does not want to immigrate then stay where you are.  If you want to live here then I welcome you.  Just don't try to play a game where you get green cards and then try to live outside the United States.  You've been given a great opportunity that the 38 million illegal aliens inside the USA now would love to have.

An absence from the United States for more than 1 year will result in the loss of their immigrant status.