Entering & Leaving the US on CR-1 Visa

[ampabst 2]

Hi All -

I have a question regarding my husband's visa. He was approved for the CR-1 Spouse Visa on January 8th. He entered the US on April 9th. He had to go back to Mexico to finalize a few things and his work had a pending investigation (he is an auditor) for a case in which he had found fraud (months ago).

I know that he had the 6-months to enter the US from the approval, so he had to be here by July 8th, but since he has now left and gone back, does the July 8th date still apply?

We want to make sure he gets back here before he is considered as forfeiting his permanent residence status and loses his green card.

Any guidance appreciated.

Thanks!

Mandy

[NikLR 13,227]

No the the July 8th doesnt matter. He already entered and is considered an LPR.

[ampabst 2]

No the the July 8th doesnt matter. He already entered and is considered an LPR.

Thanks! Can he re-enter on the visa, or does he need the official green card? We have both, but the Green Card is here because it arrived after he had returned.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

He should have a stamp in his passport, on the visa page, which he got when entering the first time; it acts as a temporary greencard for a year. I strongly recommend he not stay out longer than 6 months from the time he left, or he may get questioned at the airport.

[Ryan H 3,812]

He should have a stamp in his passport, on the visa page, which he got when entering the first time; it acts as a temporary greencard for a year. I strongly recommend he not stay out longer than 6 months from the time he left, or he may get questioned at the airport.

OP, just to clarify the above post; CBP no longer places special stamps in passports that act as temporary green cards. Instead they place a standard entry stamp on the page next to the visa itself and write-in applicable information (the endorsement). At the bottom of the visa itself is the following notation, "Upon Endorsement Serves As Temporary I-551 Valid For One Year." It is the combination of the visa endorsed by the entry stamp (plus info) that acts as the temporary green card, not a stamp in of itself.

**Moderator hat on**

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

[ampabst 2]

Thanks Ryan H! I will confirm that his passport/visa has the correct information. I'm sure it does, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[ampabst 2]

My husband sent me a pic of the visa stamps. he has 2 stamps, 1 has the date he entered and the officer wrote CR-1 and his immigrant visa number. There is also a second date that was written that says 8-APR-2018. I am guessing this is the expiration for his conditional status.

Should there be any other information on the stamp?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

That sounds correct.