Plan to leave US with just IR-1 visa, no green card yet

[Naknaksdad 0]

My wife of three years and I are planning to return to the Philippines next week from the US to get our 2 sons and then return back to the United States asap. We are already IR1, been waiting for GC since November, but need to return. I am aware of the 6 month restriction as we plan to return to the US as soon as our youngest son has his CRBA. Has anyone ventured to do this and if so, anything we need to know before leaving? Much appreciated.

Scott & Cherryl

Edited January 11, 2016 by Naknaksdad

[aleful 1,905]

hi

do you have your advance parole? you can't leave the US without your advance parole

[Darnell 8,478]

hey - that's cool ! that endorsement stamp in your passport turns your IR-1 visa into a temp I-551 doc, good for a year.

the only problem you might have is at an immigration control point in the PI, must to teach the dullards what 'endorsement' means sometimes. if you get a slow brain, ask for shift supervisor quickly.

as to aleful's post, sorry, he/she is wrong, ain't any need for AP for an IR-1 visa holder, anytime, anywhere.

[Naknaksdad 0]

Never heard of advanced parole. Can you please specify? Yes, thanks for the concern about immigration control in the Phils. Lived there for 4 years. This is my concern, dealing with a moron that is going to ask for the GC without looking at the bottom of the VISA stamp which clearly indicates the 1 year permanent status.

Edited January 11, 2016 by Naknaksdad

[Darnell 8,478]

no need, aleful is wrong about.. it's ok, press on !

[newacct 688]

Never heard of advanced parole. Can you please specify?

Nevermind that. It doesn't apply to you.

[newacct 688]

My wife of three years and I are planning to return to the Philippines next week from the US to get our 2 sons and then return back to the United States asap. We are already IR1, been waiting for GC since November, but need to return. I am aware of the 6 month restriction as we plan to return to the US as soon as our youngest son has his CRBA. Has anyone ventured to do this and if so, anything we need to know before leaving? Much appreciated.

Scott & Cherryl

Whether you have the plastic green card (which is an I-551) or not doesn't really matter, because when you entered the US, your immigrant visa automatically turned into an I-551 valid for one year from the date of entry. In other words, you already have in your hand a "green card" (except it's not green and not a card). Just make sure not to tell people it's a "visa" because the visa already became invalid the moment you entered the US, and if you call it a "visa" people will look at the visa's expiration date, etc. Just tell people it's a temporary proof of permanent residency.

[aleful 1,905]

hi

I'm sorry, I thought you were going through the process of getting your GC, not that you had entered already to the US and you are already a legal permanent resident

never mind

you are good to go with the i551 stamp in your passport

[Naknaksdad 0]

I am reassured about the I-551 and yes, it isn't a "visa" and is an I-551. We got the OK for the visa a month after our youngest was born. We are saddened to be away so long and want to get the little guy's CRBA taken care of. Thank you everyone, my questions are answered.

Scott & Cherryl

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Working & Traveling During US Immigration forum.

[Naknaksdad 0]

hey - that's cool ! that endorsement stamp in your passport turns your IR-1 visa into a temp I-551 doc, good for a year.

the only problem you might have is at an immigration control point in the PI, must to teach the dullards what 'endorsement' means sometimes. if you get a slow brain, ask for shift supervisor quickly.

as to aleful's post, sorry, he/she is wrong, ain't any need for AP for an IR-1 visa holder, anytime, anywhere.

i spent an hour with the airline (Cathay Pacific at Mactan Intl., Cebu) agents (not the immigration agents) educating them about the I-155 endorsement. My friendly advice is to do your homework ahead of time, make copies off of the government's website for the I-155. They display an example of the I-155 endorsement along with the visa (now turned CG) inside the passport. This is, the GC. They thanked me and i told them to keep the copies for their information so perhaps someone else might need it later. When i got to immigration he asked for the resident card and i pointed to the I-155 endorsement and asked him to read where it clearly defines that the endorsement is the proof of residency. He just waved us through.

Edited May 30, 2016 by Naknaksdad

[aaron2020 11,651]

i spent an hour with the airline (Cathay Pacific at Mactan Intl., Cebu) agents (not the immigration agents) educating them about the I-155 endorsement. My friendly advice is to do your homework ahead of time, make copies off of the government's website for the I-155. They display an example of the I-155 endorsement along with the visa (now turned CG) inside the passport. This is, the GC. They thanked me and i told them to keep the copies for their information so perhaps someone else might need it later. When i got to immigration he asked for the resident card and i pointed to the I-155 endorsement and asked him to read where it clearly defines that the endorsement is the proof of residency. He just waved us through.

It's an I-551.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Never heard of advanced parole. Can you please specify? Yes, thanks for the concern about immigration control in the Phils. Lived there for 4 years. This is my concern, dealing with a moron that is going to ask for the GC without looking at the bottom of the VISA stamp which clearly indicates the 1 year permanent status.

Or alternatively someone who tells you your visa has expired.

There is an online CBP manual dealing with the various stamps, visas etc that are acceptable for entry to the US and the endorsed visa is in there. You may want to print the relevant page and take it with you. If you can't find it by googling, post again and I'll see if I can find it.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

FYI here is the link. Page 40.

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/carrier_info_guide.pdf

Edit: just realized the initial posts are months old! Ah well. Maybe this will be useful for someone else doing a search

Edited May 31, 2016 by SusieQQQ

[Naknaksdad 0]

It's an I-551.

Yes, I-551.... Aaron, it was a typo.