JasonTan wrote: ↑Tue, 13 Aug 2024 3:41 pm
Hi all. Our family just got our US immigrant visa. We love it here in SG but there is a deadline for us to land in the US. We are from a not so developed country so the plan to stay as required to get US green card but still return to SG. We currently just have one-way ticket to US.
1. Aside from passports and tickets, are there additional documents required at Changi Airport? Our visa shows IV (immigrants visa).
2. My son just would just have turned 16 on the day of our flight in Dec. Since we are not sure of when to return to SG, would an Exit Permit be enough? Or do we need to get a bankers guarantee? Our plan is for my son go back to SG in Jan 2025 to prepare for Poly.
The rest of the family would also go back to SG.
Note: We are originally from a developing country so it is a chance for us to have US as Plan B. Plan A is still SG.
You generally have 6 months to land in the U.S. after visa approval, assuming you have the green card packet in hand. You will become a PR immediately upon immigration clearance and will be considered a U.S. person for tax purposes for the entire calendar year (even if it occurs on Dec 31). This is usually a major consideration, in case you have any investments here (or back in your country of origin) that are considered PFICs or accounts that are reportable under FBAR and/or FATCA. Any capital gains you might be sitting on would also become taxable. You might be able to file as a dual-status alien for year 1, but you’ll still have to file. Hopefully none of this is coming as a surprise and you’ve already harvested any capital gains the prior year while still a nonresident alien.
If you are planning to spend significant time outside the US after getting a green card, you may also need to apply for a reentry permit in the U.S.