Traveling outside of US on temp immigrant visa

[Patty23]

My mom went through the NVC process for green card. She got the temp immigrant visa and has travelled to US. It has been 6 weeks and we are still waiting for SSN and Green Card to arrive. There is no information anywhere on time it will take to receive those docs. Can she travel outside of US for a few days and come back on the immigrant visa? Is it advisable to do so even if it is allowed?

[JoeF]

When she entered the US with the immigrant visa she got an I-551 stamp in her passport. That has the same value as the actual Green card, although it is only valid for one year. So, she can travel abroad and just show the stamp on return.

[Patty23]

Thanks. This is very helpful. Does that mean that she can travel to countries like Mexico, Canada, etc. without a visa? Just as any US Green card holder?

[JoeF]

Yes. She *is* a Permanent Resident.