Stamp after POE with IR1

[Casterk 0]

Hi all,

today I've entered the USA with a IR1 Visa. At POE, they took me to the "dark room" with my envelope. They opened it,

then called me to fingerprint me (not electronically, but with ink), and that was all.

The officer put a STANDARD USA entry stamp on my passport (like the oval ones I got with VWP). Inside she wrote IR1 and put a 1 year validity date. She also wrote an A# underneath it.. No other stamp.

No I-551 stamp!!! Is that right?? I specifically asked her if I could go in and out the USA with that and she told me yes. She added: "if there's any problem they will call you in here and we'll sort it out"... that surely didn't comfort me!

Am I work authorized just with the IR1 visa???? I am worried if any potential employer will accept my visa as it is before I get a GC -which might take months-... I have a work interview next week, so I want to sort it out before then.

Also, I need to go out of the USA for 1 week at the end of the month, but I doubt my GC will have arrived by then!

The VISA says clearly: "valid as temporary I-551" upon endorsement.. Not sure if what I got is an ok "endorsement"...

Do I need to get an INFOPASS and get a I-551 stamp instead?

Thank you!

[payxibka 10,047]

Hi all,

today I've entered the USA with a IR1 Visa. At POE, they took me to the "dark room" with my envelope. They opened it,

then called me to fingerprint me (not electronically, but with ink), and that was all.

The officer put a STANDARD USA entry stamp on my passport (like the oval ones I got with VWP). Inside she wrote IR1 and put a 1 year validity date. She also wrote an A# underneath it.. No other stamp.

No I-551 stamp!!! Is that right?? I specifically asked her if I could go in and out the USA with that and she told me yes. She added: "if there's any problem they will call you in here and we'll sort it out"... that surely didn't comfort me!

Am I work authorized just with the IR1 visa???? I am worried if any potential employer will accept my visa as it is before I get a GC -which might take months-... I have a work interview next week, so I want to sort it out before then.

Also, I need to go out of the USA for 1 week at the end of the month, but I doubt my GC will have arrived by then!

The VISA says clearly: "valid as temporary I-551" upon endorsement.. Not sure if what I got is an ok "endorsement"...

Do I need to get an INFOPASS and get a I-551 stamp instead?

Thank you!

You got it based on your description...

Edited February 9, 2009 by payxibka

[Casterk 0]

Did I????

It does NOT look like this: http://www.britsintheus.com/marriednhappy/i551.jpg

NO mention anywhere of the words I-551 on the stamp... nor EMPLOYMENT authorized...

Only something like this one:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zEhPh-IOwzE/SFu_T0zF...1A/P6205538.JPG

with written IR1 and the A# underneath it

Is this the same as the I-551 stamp everyone gets???

[LA80 3]

Did I????

It does NOT look like this: http://www.britsintheus.com/marriednhappy/i551.jpg

NO mention anywhere of the words I-551 on the stamp... nor EMPLOYMENT authorized...

Only something like this one:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zEhPh-IOwzE/SFu_T0zF...1A/P6205538.JPG

with written IR1 and the A# underneath it

Is this the same as the I-551 stamp everyone gets???

You are good to go, no worries.

After endorsement/admission, your visa serves as a temporary green card (I-551) valid for one year. Your employer must accept it as the proof.

[Casterk 0]

So what I got is an "endorsement" even if it doesn't mention I-551 on the stamp ?

How long does it normally take for the GC to arrive in Texas?

[LA80 3]

So what I got is an "endorsement" even if it doesn't mention I-551 on the stamp ?

How long does it normally take for the GC to arrive in Texas?

Yes, exactly. The text on your visa "valid as temporary I-551 for a year upon endorsement" is what truly matters. When you came to the POE and got the entry stamp, your visa got "endorsed" and became like a temporary GC. I have exactly the same thing in my passport and my stamp is like yours - standard USA entry stamp with immigrant status and expiry date (one year from the date of entry).

Some people get their GC in a month, some get it in 7-8 weeks, but allow 2 months for physical GC to arrive. First, you will get a welcome letter with your case number. That happens within 30 days. Then you can make an account on USCIS site and follow the progress via e-mail. Once you see "card production ordered", that means you will get your GC in your mailbox in a week or two.

So, relax

[jhcruz18 3]

Hi. Congratulations and welcome to the United States. My husband entered on an IR-1 visa a couple of months ago. Don't worry about anything. He got his SS card and 10 year green card in the mail all within 3 weeks after his arrival here. Once you get your green card you can travel in and out of the United States but not for a long period of time. Keep in mind that you have to maintain residency here because when you apply for citizenship, they will ask you how many times and how long were you out of the united states within a certain period of time.

Relax and have fun. Good luck job hunting! God bless you!

[Casterk 0]

I don't need citizenship, I think. Am I supposed to have to request citizenship??

I am sure I will travel MANY times in the next few years. My question was travelling even before the GC has been received, and from what other users said, I can do that.. Thank you!

Hi. Congratulations and welcome to the United States. My husband entered on an IR-1 visa a couple of months ago. Don't worry about anything. He got his SS card and 10 year green card in the mail all within 3 weeks after his arrival here. Once you get your green card you can travel in and out of the United States but not for a long period of time. Keep in mind that you have to maintain residency here because when you apply for citizenship, they will ask you how many times and how long were you out of the united states within a certain period of time.

Relax and have fun. Good luck job hunting! God bless you!

[kaffy 2]

I received the same stamp and it is the right one. I opened a bank account, found a job, etc all before I received my actual green card

And the link to the I-551 stamp says it's from 1999... bit outdated I think

[vacuum 1]

Casterk, sorry to use your thread but I was just wondering about the same thing - I will be entering the US in August with an IR-1/CR1 visa based on marriage to a US citizen. I already work for a US company and will start work in the US office as soon as I go back there, plus I will have a business trip abroad couple of months after I go back to the States. So I was wondering if I would need to file the I-131, Application for travel document and I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. Based on the responses it doesn't seem like I would need to file neither one of the forms but I still wanted to ask. I'd appreciate any responses.

Congrats on your successful entry!

[payxibka 10,047]

Casterk, sorry to use your thread but I was just wondering about the same thing - I will be entering the US in August with an IR-1/CR1 visa based on marriage to a US citizen. I already work for a US company and will start work in the US office as soon as I go back there, plus I will have a business trip abroad couple of months after I go back to the States. So I was wondering if I would need to file the I-131, Application for travel document and I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. Based on the responses it doesn't seem like I would need to file neither one of the forms but I still wanted to ask. I'd appreciate any responses.

Congrats on your successful entry!

no, entering as a immigrant on a IR/CR visa results in immediate permanent residency (greencard). I-131 (AP) and I-765 (EAD) are interim benefits for those who are adjusting to resident status (greencard) from a non-immigrant visa type

Edited February 11, 2009 by payxibka

[vacuum 1]

Thanks payxibka! This certainly makes it much easier for me.