working and traveling after CR1

[monicatony 0]

I've read that it takes a few weeks to receive the green card and thus your SSN after your CR1. Once you've entered the US with an approved CR1 does anyone know if you can keep going back and forth from Canada to continue working until you get your GC and SSN and can manage a transfer to a job in the US? I know the K3 is multiple entry...not sure about the CR1 when you don't have GC in hand yet....

I was only thinking of pursuing my "held back" I130 over my pending K3 because it seems I might be able to transfer with work easier that way rather than crossing with a K3 and dealing with the whole EAD and AOS thing. ARRGHGHAHGHAGHAGH It is confusing.

Mon

[misa 2]

Hang on a second... if your employer is still in Canada and you will be working in Canada, you can cross back and forth with a K3. You won't need an EAD to work in Canada. What you could do is get your K3, apply for EAD and AOS right away, continue working in Canada (going back and forth as needed) and then get your company to transfer you to the U.S. branch when you get your EAD (about 80-90 days, mine took about 80).

If your I-130 was retained, it'll take months before they send it to the NVC. It took Stacey33 7 months or so for her approved I-130 to finally get forwarded. Actually I don't think it was sent yet but the application to forward it took 7 months to get approved.

Edited July 12, 2007 by misa

[monicatony 0]

Hang on a second... if your employer is still in Canada and you will be working in Canada, you can cross back and forth with a K3. You won't need an EAD to work in Canada. What you could do is get your K3, apply for EAD and AOS right away, continue working in Canada (going back and forth as needed) and then get your company to transfer you to the U.S. branch when you get your EAD (about 80-90 days, mine took about 80).

If your I-130 was retained, it'll take months before they send it to the NVC. It took Stacey33 7 months or so for her approved I-130 to finally get forwarded. Actually I don't think it was sent yet but the application to forward it took 7 months to get approved.

HOLY wow.. I didn't realize it took 7 months just to get the I130 forwarded to NVC... (not to mention the fees$$$). I was thinking since it is taking so long for the K3 interview and adding on to that the time it takes for an EAD and getting the SSN and then applying for a transfer...... maybe the CR1 would come through by then. I am probably deluded about the CR1 saving the day for me. I had the wrong info awhile back and thought the K3 visa allowed you to live and work in the US immediately. It is only frustrating!!!! to find out that every step is yet more waiting. I can keep working in Canada until the EAD... just mad that it's more time apart from my husband and step kids and further postponement of a normal life with them. I can't wait to wake up to my husband every day and attend my stepson's little league games and stop missing important milestones in all of our lives. It's a journey and one day we'll look back on all this...

[misa 2]

HOLY wow.. I didn't realize it took 7 months just to get the I130 forwarded to NVC... (not to mention the fees$$$). I was thinking since it is taking so long for the K3 interview and adding on to that the time it takes for an EAD and getting the SSN and then applying for a transfer...... maybe the CR1 would come through by then. I am probably deluded about the CR1 saving the day for me. I had the wrong info awhile back and thought the K3 visa allowed you to live and work in the US immediately. It is only frustrating!!!! to find out that every step is yet more waiting. I can keep working in Canada until the EAD... just mad that it's more time apart from my husband and step kids and further postponement of a normal life with them. I can't wait to wake up to my husband every day and attend my stepson's little league games and stop missing important milestones in all of our lives. It's a journey and one day we'll look back on all this...

I think on average it's about 6 months for them to forward the petition (based on what I've seen here in the K3 and CR-1/IR-1 forum). But yeah, $200 + approx. 6 months for it to even get to the NVC. Then tack on a bunch of months for processing there and then more time for Montreal to schedule an interview.

A K3 only allows you to live there (and it's multiple entry for 2 years) but isn't employment authorised, so yeah, you can continue working in Canada until your EAD is approved... then you have to apply for an SSN (I'm doing that on Friday, not sure how long that takes).

Even with Montreal being soooooooooo slow, you'll most likely get your K3 before your I-130 is even forwarded to NVC!

After entry, can you afford to (and is your company willing to) wait until you get an EAD to work again? Like I said, on average it's 80-90 days to get an EAD, so if your company is willing to put your employment on hold for a few months and start it up again in the U.S. branch when you get your EAD, then you'll at least be able to see your husband every day.

Edited July 12, 2007 by misa

[monicatony 0]

Thanks so much for the info Misa. It helps alot to hear about real experiences and not just some unrealistic USCIS timeline.

We have a ways to go yet.

Cheers and good luck with your AOS process.