Are we allowed to reenter USA without physical greencard (with CR-1 on passport)?

[etihad101 0]

My physical greencard is being processed. I have entered the USA last month on a cr-1 visa and just paid the elis fee couple of days ago. After speaking with the USCIS rep on the phone, I found out it can take up to 120 days before I have my physical green card in hand., and it's "not unusual" for the process to actually take 120 days. We are planning to travel to Mexico for a week so I called Mexican consulate in my area and explained the situation to them. They advised applying for a mexican tourism visa, which we did and received it today. Now the phone lady from USCIS did assure us that we are free to travel outside of the US as the cr-1 visa does indeed act as a temporary green card for upto 1 year while the green card is being produced.

Before I leave the United States for a planned 1 week trip to Mexico, I want to make sure, I will be allowed to reenter the USA with my cr-1 visa, the initial entry date on which will have expired by then but the "Admitted" stamp from custom officer and hand written "CR-1" along with an A#, also hand written. While I am sure the USCIS lady didn't just make it up, I'd love to see this in writing on USCIS website somewhere or hear from any of you who might have had some experience with this.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

Yes. Your endorsed immigrant visa serves as an I-551 document (GC) for one year.

[zkt101 38]

The stamp in your passport should serve as a temporary green card and is good for travel and work one year.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

**deleted for not reading OP properly

Edited July 1, 2016 by SusieQQQ