Travel before arrival of Green Card, possible??

[Olya2007 0]

We are scheduled for CR1 interview on Oct, 29. Aside from worrying about his interview I have other things to prepare in advance even before that.

We plan for my husband to arrive to America around Nov, 8. We really set our minds to go to Mexico on Thanksgiving week (Nov,20) for long awaited honeymoon. I am trying to book either cruise or by air

Now I am worrying that the only proof he would have for his permanent resident status-is passport stamp that he will get at POE. I don't even hope that actual Green card is going to arrive in 2 weeks.

Please advise me -will he be able to return from Mexico to USA just with stamp in his foreign passport??

I either need to finalize travel plans very soon, or cancel them completely

Looking forward for your opinions, or experiences!!!!!!!

[Olya2007 0]

Anyone?? Please!!!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

If you do not have your passport on you, are you still an American Citizen? His status will not change once he is approved at the interview, regardless of his 'documentation'. The only problems I can guess you might have is if you have a troublesome customs agent who is overly picky. Then you might run into problems and perhaps a denial of entry.

Will he not receive the visa in his passport? Is there any other documentation you can provide?

But once they swipe his passport, they'll see he's been approved on a CR1 visa.

[Completely 3]

If you do not have your passport on you, are you still an American Citizen? His status will not change once he is approved at the interview, regardless of his 'documentation'. The only problems I can guess you might have is if you have a troublesome customs agent who is overly picky. Then you might run into problems and perhaps a denial of entry.

Will he not receive the visa in his passport? Is there any other documentation you can provide?

But once they swipe his passport, they'll see he's been approved on a CR1 visa.

They will still look for the greencard.. You need to have a greencard in leaving and entering the US to avoid further interrogation expecially in Mexico.

[frali 2]

I am not sure about the K3 process. But I know someone who had just arrived with CR1 visa and went to Canada with the stamp in their passport and returned to US without any problems. The spouse had not yet received their GC.

[john_and_marlene 162]

With the CR1 visa, you will get an I-551 stamp in the passport at the POE. That stamp is just as good as the GC for when you come back to the US after your trip. Don't worry.

[Olya2007 0]

Thankssss a lot to all who responded to my questions!!!!!!

But since there are different opinions still doubt if I should take a risk.... What if some "picky" officer will deny his entry from Mexico to USA based on having just I-551 stamp instead of Green Card,what is possible scenario for that?? Will they return him to country of citizenship??

Edited October 10, 2008 by Olya2007

[john_and_marlene 162]

Thankssss a lot to all who responded to my questions!!!!!!

But since there are different opinions still doubt if I should take a risk.... What if some "picky" officer will deny his entry from Mexico to USA based on having just I-551 stamp instead of Green Card,what is possible scenario for that?? Will they return him to country of citizenship??

Any opinions stated in this thread that the I-551 stamp is not adequate by itself are wrong. I don't know where they got that crazy idea. Don't worry, the stamp ALONE is all you need. The poster that said you still need the GC even with the stamp is absolutely wrong.

[babybebita 0]

Olya, If you have your CR-1 in the passport with I-551 stamp in it, you have a conditional resident immigrant visa.

That Visa is a multi-entry visa, and you can travel with it during one year!

I know because I have the same problem as you, I am going to travel in one week after my POE.

I called to the Embassy in Madrid, and the lady told me, you do not need the plastic Green Card, you have a conditional Green Card in your Passport during one year (you only need the stamp).

Do not Worry! You can call to the Embassy!!

[Olya2007 0]

Thank you a lot john_and_marlene and Babybebita!!!

Feel much more confident now!!!!

[me262 0]

This year my sister inlaw, a Greek citizen, crossed into Mexico from Texas for only 2 hours and was fined $500 for not having her green card on reentry. She was a resident of US for over thirty years with a SS card and all. Didn't matter.

[ninaetmilo 0]

HI, I am planning to go with my husband two days after our POE in NY to Hawaii. I believe that it shouldn't be a problem, since it's in the same country and he will have his stamp on his passport. I just want to make sure that there shouldn't be any problem. thanks!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

This orignal post is over 2 years old!

But yes, it shouldn't be a problem. Good luck and enjoy your trip