CR1 TO IR1 at POE

[crissycris 0]

Hello guys,

I was issued a CR1 visa on december 12,2012.I intended to go on april 2,yesterday I wanted to buy my ticket plane and while I was trying to find if 3 hours between flights is enough time and I was ready to buy the ticket,I found by chance,that if you are married for 2 years,you can get a IR 1 visa instead a CR1 at POE!

I never checked before this info and I always thought that the visa issued by embassy can not be changed,whether you celebrated 2 years of marriage or not between embassy and POE time.

We will celebrate 2 years of marriage at the beggining of may and now we are thinking if is not a good ideea to wait 1 month more(what means another 1 month after all this long trip)..

As I understand(reading the forum with very useful info from pushbrk and inky),no metter that CBO stamp my passport with IR1 visa or not,I can apply after I 90 form to USCIR and replace the CR1 green card with evidence.

If we choose this way,will they ask at POE why I waited until we turned 2 years of marriage to go?They will have any problem with this?

As i know,the visa expires when medicals expires which it will be on june 6(because they have 6 month valability ,right?I just want to be sure ).

I also read that even CBO stam in passport IR1 visa,a lot of times people receive home a 2 years green card.Is there anyway this situation can be avoided?Is it a better ideea to call USCIR as soon as possible after entering the country and to talk with a human,explaining the situation and asking for the right visa on green card?

Oh and one more question ,if I receive the SSN card can I work and get my driving licence while i wait for my green card(it might take months)?

Thank you and good luck to all!

[Hypnos 6,576]

At PoE secondary you simply explain that you have been married for at least two years and you will receive a 10 year (non-conditional) green card.

The extra hassle-avoidance is probably worth the wait.

Edited March 20, 2013 by Hypnos

[Pet37 0]

I was in the same position like you. I was married 2009, I filed my I-130, 2010 but due to my delay I didn't received my visa until December 2012. When i got my stamp in my passport the visa category was CR1. If had gotten my visa 2010 then I would have been entitled to CR1. So I emailed the embassy where my visa was printed and told them the time of my visa issuance my marriage was over 2 years so tthey told me to returned my passport to have it changed to IR1. It took them a week to have it changed and I entered the US with a IR1 stamp. Upon receiving my Green Card hold and behold visa category was CR1 yikes. So I called the USCIS office and they told me to send it back with an I90 form. I send it back the third week in February and got my receipt number March 1.

[Darnell 8,478]

if you want it changed at POE, I say go for it.

i wrote about this, last week:

ya, she needs to talk with the CBP person at the POE, whilst INSIDE the POE, to get her designation upgraded to IR-1.

Usually, show the marriage certificate and the CBP fella makes an update into the computer.

Sometimes this is done whilst in Secondary Inspection at the POE, so be prepared. Many times, also, the CBP human she's dealing with is clueless, so if there be numb or dull looks, ask for a supervisor to handle the 'upgrade'.

FWIW, many people come in the POE after a long, grueling, debilitating flight and forget to ask about this. Suggest making a note on a piece of paper and paper-clipping the note to the inside of the passport, where the BIO page is, so yer lass will remember to get the designation changed to IR-1.

Go Get Em, and Good Luck !

[The Mean Lady 604]

you have to cross 6 mos from your medical date.

when does your visa expire?

may seems like youre cutting it close

[Darnell 8,478]

ya, if'n yer timeline is accurate, with a marriage date of 2011-05-06

Then I suggest you'll be cutting it close , with a visa date of december 12,2012 ...

is possible, but please consider the risk.

[crissycris 0]

you have to cross 6 mos from your medical date.

when does your visa expire?

may seems like youre cutting it close

Hi,

My visa expire on june 11,i want to go on may 8.

[crissycris 0]

ya, if'n yer timeline is accurate, with a marriage date of 2011-05-06

Then I suggest you'll be cutting it close , with a visa date of december 12,2012 ...

is possible, but please consider the risk.

Hi Darnell,

Yes my timeline is correct.Marriage on may 6,2011.Visa expire on june 11,medicals should expire on june 6.I wish to go on may 8.

[Darnell 8,478]

oh, then you will be stellar.

just compute 2 years properly, aye?

[crissycris 0]

oh, then you will be stellar.

just compute 2 years properly, aye?

I just hope is not a wrong decision.I should be ok going on may 8 ,right?

[The Mean Lady 604]

I just hope is not a wrong decision.I should be ok going on may 8 ,right?

yes, that's fine.

[crissycris 0]

Thank you all for advice.