What are the conditions on a CR1?

[Boorai 0]

My wife is immigrating on a CR1, but what I DON'T know is what are the specific conditions?

can she work? can she drive?..surely, she won't be able to vote, not yet. But these type of questions. What specifically are the conditions?

[YuAndDan 153]

CR-1 yealds a GREEN CARD, it allows work, and re-entry from trips abroad. You will be able to get SSN and apply for drivers license using green-card and SSN.

The only condition placed on the green-card it that you need to still be in a bona fide marital relationship 2 years after getting the green-card and file an I-751 to remove the conditions.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Or you at least have to prove that you entered the marriage in good faith. If you have reasonable grounds for divorce in those 2 years you are able to do so if you can prove the marriage was entered into in good faith.

I also think you can't be a burden on society in that time. IE you can't claim welfare or medicade/care

[Boorai 0]

ok, thanks...what YuanDan said was what I thought, but was not totally sure

[livelife 0]

Hi just want to share my experience when i first went to US;I have an international drivers lisence that i got from the Philippines before if left,it is valid for one year,i was able to drive anywhere;and then i got a booklet from the DMV to study so i could take the driving computerized test;after which ,i was able to pass the actual driving test next and able to drive now.With regards to practising medicine,i can't ,because i need to pass the USMLE first,it is a 3 steps to be able to practise;i tried to apply as a medical assistant but just the same,.some clinics eventhough you're a doctor from another country,they would still want an applicant to have the medical assistant certiificate,some don't require.It depends on the clinic managers what their requirements are.I know she'll be able to get a job fast because she is intelligent and professional.

[livelife 0]

With regards to greencard.. Upon entering US,she'll have her greencard and she'll be able to work,able to get a joint account which you can use as evidence of bonifide marriage after 2 years to remove the condition;my husband and I make it a point that the bills like phone,electricty are both in our name,and our immigration lawyer ask me to collect it for the removal of the condition after 2 years,application starts 90 days before the issued greencard expires.She can also travel in and out of the US without any problems as long as she carry her greencard when she travels out of the country.

I had a hard time opening a bank account before when i haven't had my greencard yet,banks require greencard and Social security number even if you have USC husband or wife.

Edited October 27, 2008 by livelife

[Boorai 0]

ok, thanks...what YuanDan said was what I thought, but was not totally sure

Interesting about you MA attetmpts. I presume you mean NOT as a Physician Assistant, but as an actual MA...doing billing as stuff like that. Yes, in the States you need to have the respecitve cert or license now-a-days.

Have you tried teaching? at the college level. Surely with your MD you could teach A&P or biology, at the least. That is what we have spoke about and are looking into. Some college will hire MDs without a license to do research. Would like to know the specifics of what you have attempted.

Please, let me know.

Also. My wife's cousin own a travel agency, she said that Grace could drive on her Filipino license for a time. Did you look into that or were you told differently? She would get her driver's license soon after getting her.

[carslo 0]

Congrats on your speedy journey

Edited October 28, 2008 by carslo

[livelife 0]

When i went to DMV they told me i can use my international driver's lisence that i got from the Phil.but after that i also took the test at DMV and i already have my driver's lisence.

Now i am reviewing for the board exam,i bought books for the USMLE,trying to review on my own first as what my friends here told me,then i will try to get in touch with a review center like Kaplan...

Teaching is good but then i'd rather work in a clinic or hospital setting,for the mean time i am enjoying myself as a housewife taking good care of my husband while he goes to work;glad he likes asian food...and of course trying to be patient waiting for the NVC to send my son's schehdule ...we are asked for further documents that we're working on now. ...kinda depressing..

[Boorai 0]

When i went to DMV they told me i can use my international driver's lisence that i got from the Phil.but after that i also took the test at DMV and i already have my driver's lisence.

Now i am reviewing for the board exam,i bought books for the USMLE,trying to review on my own first as what my friends here told me,then i will try to get in touch with a review center like Kaplan...

Teaching is good but then i'd rather work in a clinic or hospital setting,for the mean time i am enjoying myself as a housewife taking good care of my husband while he goes to work;glad he likes asian food...and of course trying to be patient waiting for the NVC to send my son's schehdule ...we are asked for further documents that we're working on now. ...kinda depressing..

My wife is an IM. Can you offer us some detail about the USMLE?...from what we understand there are 3 steps. After passing the first...my wife would then be able to go into residency and complete Step2 and Step3 while in residency. Is this what you have been told?

She i studying now..as best she can; though it is difficult for her with trying to complete the VISA process.

[livelife 0]

Yes ,need to pass the step 1 fist;but we can take the step 1 anywhere since this is computer base,even in the Philippines we can take it there,same as for step 2,though the step 3 ,it is taken in US...practical part of the exam,diagnosis of patients,P.E.,labs. to order and how we can deal with patients from the time he comes in the clinic;observers/doctors will be there to grade;i am sure she'll pass this with flying colors because she is practising her field in the Phil .. my cousin in Maryland told me ,eventhough he finished his residency at Phil.Gen. Hospital ,internal med too like your wife. he still repeated his residency training here in the US...i am using a guide book for the mean time, the USMLE STEP 1 ,it's really useful,all information is there ,on what to do,what books to review and requirements.With regards to PA,even doctors can't be PA,it is a rule that to be aPA,one should undergo training and have certification,eventhough you're an MD already,you still need to study the PA course,which i find ridiculous,since MD studied 10 years and intense training is provided for us...

Edited October 28, 2008 by livelife

[livelife 0]

I want to share with your wife the website of the review center that my classmates tried,they said it's a good one,it really helped them pass the MLE,maybe your wife knows this already but just incase, here it is

http://www.kaptest.com/index.jhtml

[Completely 3]

My wife is immigrating on a CR1, but what I DON'T know is what are the specific conditions?

can she work? can she drive?..surely, she won't be able to vote, not yet. But these type of questions. What specifically are the conditions?

Actually CR1 has no restrictions, she can work immediately when she got there, provided she has the SSN. She can apply for a driving license but not to vote.... The conditional greencard is valid for 2 years but she need to file a Removal of condition before 90 days of expiry.

[Boorai 0]

I appreciate all the responses and the information you have all offered. Thank you

[ryandgracey 2]

I want to share with your wife the website of the review center that my classmates tried,they said it's a good one,it really helped them pass the MLE,maybe your wife knows this already but just incase, here it is

http://www.kaptest.com/index.jhtml

Hi there! Am Boorai's wife, the MD. A friend of mine did not recommend Kaplan, as did one of my collegues at the clinic here who is done with the USMLE. She suggested usmleworld.com, saying that it helped her much. She did recommend the Kaplan material though, as wel as the First Aid series. I would thinkt hat I would rather study online than at a center, having to tend to both my husband and our 5-year-old daughter.

Was also told that I could finish steps 1 and step 2 CK and finish step 2 CK while doing and before finishing residency. Any info on this?

And thank you, too, for sharing.