Visa after interview

[Alexsea 45]

Hello everyone!

 

I have a couple questions for the post-interview stage:

 

1. How long does it generally take to get the visa/passport returned to you after the interview (assuming you are approved)?

 

2. Once the immigrant enters the US on the CR1 visa, can they stay in the US for just a couple of weeks and then return back to their home country for another few months to wrap things up before the "official" move?  

 

3. I understand the immigrant gets an I-155 stamp on their passport that acts as the green card while they wait for the actual card to arrive. How long is this valid for (I've seen 6 months-2 years)? 

 

 

Questions 2 and 3 are kind of related in the sense that if the immigrant arrives on the CR1 visa on the initial visit, but then leaves two weeks later, they may not have had time to get the physical green card during their stay in the US. Therefore, when they are ready to come back a few months later for the long-term, I suppose they'd re-enter with the stamp? 

 

Thanks for any experience!! 😊

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

1. If approved on the day of the interview, you'll receive a tracking number soon after. Depending on your location, it can take a few days to slightly over a week. 

2. Yes. The GC is "activated" when the immigrant enters at any POE. After that, he/she is free to travel -even on the same day of entry-.

3. In general, one year from the date of admission. 

[Crazy Cat 41,727]

1.  Depends on the consulate.  Some take a couple days.....some take a few weeks....

2.  Yes.

3.  Normally one year.

[Alexsea 45]

Thanks guys!! I'm a little worried about COVID. We have our interview on July 28 and will probably have the visa by mid-August. That gives us until mid-January to enter the US (medical appt is mid-July).

 

I'm worried that if there's a second wave of COVID and they start canceling flights let's say in November, when flu season starts to really get underway, what if borders close again until February or so (after our visa expires)?

 

To be on the "safe" side and avoid COVID complications, we'd probably need to move by September/October and there's no way we'll be able to get everything closed up and ready to go between August (when we get the visa) and October.

 

So was thinking maybe we could go for a visit in September and get the stamp... Return to the country we are currently living in until after the holidays, and then make the big move after the New Year (providing no shutdowns). And if there IS another shutdown... well, at least my husband will have become a permanent resident in time! 

 

But I also just read that even though the stamp is good for a year and you can technically remain outside the US for 12 months, some people recommend no longer than 6 months, unless you want to get flagged/potentially investigated??