Once a spouse enters U.S. on immigrant visa, how long are they required to stay?

Hello,

I'll be doing direct consular application at the U.S. Embassy in London to obtain an immigrant visa for my UKC husband. Once it is granted, I know he will have only six (6) months to enter the U.S. using that visa. My question is: after he enters the U.S., is he obligated to stay for a certain minimum amount of time before going back to the UK?

Our concern is that six months may not be enough time for him to leave job and advertise/sell his flat and tie up loose ends. So, for example, could he enter the U.S. on the visa, stay for 1 week or 1 month, then return to the UK for 3 months?

Thank You!

You should be able to leave but you might need to get a reentry permit I-131 which allows you to re-enter the US without jeopardizing your status.

I presume your husband has filed for either an IR-1 or a CR-1 visa (the main distinction being the length of time you have thus far been married).

At any rate, he will enter the US and at port of entry the visa will be processed.  Processing will activate the production of his greencard.  Historically, it isn't long after entry till the greencard arrives in the mail.  You should check around the interwebz and find out the current times - it's probably less than a couple of months. 

After your husband has his greencard, he is free to travel without having to ask Uncle Sam for any more documents.