Problem with CR-1 Visa

[Coops 0]

I recently received my CR-1 visa. I just noticed it says that the issue date is 03 Oct 2012 but it expires 23 Feb 2013, which is only a few months from now. I know I need to file for permanent residency just before my wife and I have been married for 2 years, but as of 23 Feb 2013, we will only have been married just over 1 year. Perhaps this was a typo on the embassy's part? 23 of Feb 2014 would be just over 2 years we've been married. What should I do? Is this normal? I am going to contact the embassy tomorrow. It also says the Visa is valid for 1 year i thought CR-1 visas where 2?

Thanks Everyone

[Coops 0]

Ok. so i just realized the expiry is the amount of time I have to enter the USA and not when the visa expires, I think.

But it still does not explain why it says

Upon Endorsement Serves As Temporary 1-551 Evidencing Permanent Residence For 1 year

It is supposed to be 2????

[Tricia599 2]

Congratulations on getting your visa!

Are you referring to the CR-1 visa from the consulate that is stamped in your passport? If so, the date is correct. That is just referring to the amount of time you have to enter the country. You have until February 23 to enter the US with that visa. When you arrive, you'll turn in your brown envelope at the POE and in a few weeks you'll get your conditional green card in the mail that has the correct expiration date (2 years from your date of entry). Then, 90 days before that expires, you'll file to lift the conditions on your green card to get the 10-year card.

The one year validity of the visa in your passport is to give them time to process everything and get you your conditional green card. While you are waiting for the physical card, that visa plus the dated entry stamp serves as proof you are here legally.

Hope this helps!

Edited October 18, 2012 by Tricia599

[Coops 0]

Thank you Tricia, you put my mind at ease.

I have the big brown do not open envelope. that is untouched and fine

but they gave me this other envelope with a disk in it of my chest xray. that was like open when they gave it me basically and has now come open. is that a problem (I have not touched disc)

Thanks

Sam

[Darnell 8,478]

Yer dates are skewed. Yer usage of dates, even more skewed.

1. issuance date is nice, most assume they have 6 months to transit into the USA, but the expiration date on the visa is tied to the issuance date on the medical exam.

2. You file for a 10 year card, 90 days before the 2 year card expires. You've not been issued a 2 year card yet. This will come in via postal mail after you arrive in USA.

3. Once you transit into the USA, you'll get a stamp in yer passport that validates the CR-1 visa to be used as an I-551 document, for a year, commencing from the POE date (as that's the date the stamping is made) - this is functionally equivalent to a green card (since it's an I-551 document) so you get 'instant green card' at the POE with a years' worth of validity on it.

I recently received my CR-1 visa. I just noticed it says that the issue date is 03 Oct 2012 but it expires 23 Feb 2013, which is only a few months from now. I know I need to file for permanent residency just before my wife and I have been married for 2 years, but as of 23 Feb 2013, we will only have been married just over 1 year. Perhaps this was a typo on the embassy's part? 23 of Feb 2014 would be just over 2 years we've been married. What should I do? Is this normal? I am going to contact the embassy tomorrow. It also says the Visa is valid for 1 year i thought CR-1 visas where 2?

Thanks Everyone

The endorsement occurs during the POE visit, you get a stamp in the passport. Once stamped, you now have an instant temporary green card, good for 1 year. USCIS wants that one year, to print and mail yer actual greencard to you.

Ok. so i just realized the expiry is the amount of time I have to enter the USA and not when the visa expires, I think.

But it still does not explain why it says

Upon Endorsement Serves As Temporary 1-551 Evidencing Permanent Residence For 1 year

It is supposed to be 2????