CR1 visa arrival at port of entry after 2nd marriage anniversary

[Verender 3]

My wife just received CR1 visa from US Embassy Philippines. The interview officer advised her to arrive in the US before 2nd anniversary of our marriage which is on March 11 but the visa expiry date is on March 15. I’m not sure if she understood it clearly and it does not make sense why she would need to land before 2nd marriage anniversary when the visa expires on March 15. I called CBP general inquiry at LAX and they told me if the interview officer put a note for her to arrive before March 11 then she must get into the US before that day. Please advise if there is such rule. 

[Crazy Cat 41,894]

I think your wife misunderstood.  There is no rule.  Furthermore, it is advantageous for her to enter on or after the 2 year wedding anniversary.   Personally, I would enter on the 11th or after.  Then, she will receive a 10 year green card. 

Edited March 1, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Verender 3]

5 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I think your wife misunderstood.  There is no rule.  Furthermore, it is advantageous for her to enter on or after the 2 year wedding anniversary.   Personally, I would enter on the 11th or after.  Then, she will receive a 10 year green card. 

Thanks for your comment. Yes I would think that also that she misunderstood. We have actually booked our flight on March 12th and were thinking about moving the travel dates. 

[Redro 4,611]

9 minutes ago, Verender said:

My wife just received CR1 visa from US Embassy Philippines. The interview officer advised her to arrive in the US before 2nd anniversary of our marriage which is on March 11 but the visa expiry date is on March 15. I’m not sure if she understood it clearly and it does not make sense why she would need to land before 2nd marriage anniversary when the visa expires on March 15. I called CBP general inquiry at LAX and they told me if the interview officer put a note for her to arrive before March 11 then she must get into the US before that day. Please advise if there is such rule. 

Why does the visa expire so soon after delivery?

Did she just have her interview or did the interview happen a few months ago?

When did your wife complete her medical?

Was she placed in AP for an extended period of time after interview?

It sounds highly unusual to be explicitly told when you should enter by when visa expiry is after said date... 

 

[Verender 3]

5 minutes ago, Kor2USA said:

Why does the visa expire so soon after delivery?

Did she just have her interview or did the interview happen a few months ago?

When did your wife complete her medical?

Was she placed in AP for an extended period of time after interview?

It sounds highly unusual to be explicitly told when you should enter by when visa expiry is after said date... 

 

Her medical exam will expire on March 15 and she just had her interview on Feb 15 so the expiry date on her visa is March 15. 

[Verender 3]

8 minutes ago, Kor2USA said:

Why does the visa expire so soon after delivery?

Did she just have her interview or did the interview happen a few months ago?

When did your wife complete her medical?

Was she placed in AP for an extended period of time after interview?

It sounds highly unusual to be explicitly told when you should enter by when visa expiry is after said date... 

 

She was not placed in AP and it’s just that she was finally scheduled for interview on Feb 15. 

[Crazy Cat 41,894]

2 minutes ago, Verender said:

Her medical exam will expire on March 15 and she just had her interview on Feb 15 so the expiry date on her visa is March 15. 

That is normal.  Sounds like she did the medical earlier than most people do.   Just make sure she enters the US prior to visa expiration.

Edited March 1, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Verender 3]

5 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

That is normal.  Sounds like she did the medical earlier than most people do.   Just make sure she enters the US prior to visa expiration.

She had her initial medical in Oct’21 but the clinic found something in her chest X-ray and she had to take sputum culture test which finally came clear by end of Dec’21. The expiry date on her medical is March 15 and so is on her CR1 visa. 
 

She heard the officer saying that her visa category is CR1 and the 2nd marriage is on March 11, so she must arrive in the US before March 11 or else it will be IR1 category and she might have problem at the port of entry. She then tried to clarify if she must enter before March 11 and the officer said yes. 

Edited March 1, 2022 by Verender

[Redro 4,611]

7 minutes ago, Verender said:

Her medical exam will expire on March 15 and she just had her interview on Feb 15 so the expiry date on her visa is March 15. 

Okay! I know applicants from the Philippines generally go to medical before interview is scheduled. Was just wondering if something else had happened. 

Hopefully your wife misunderstood instructions and was warned about not cutting entry to US to close to visa expiry.

Or CO is new to visa process and isn't aware you can enter on CR1 visa and it converts to IR1 if you enter after 2 year anniversary. 

[Redro 4,611]

3 minutes ago, Verender said:

She had her initial medical in Oct’21 but the clinic found something in her chest X-ray and she had to take sputum culture test which finally came clear by end of Dec’21. The expiry date on her medical is March 15 and so is on her CR1 visa. 
 

She heard the officer saying that her visa category is CR1 and the 2nd marriage is on March 11, so she must arrive in the US before March 11 or else it will be IR1 category and she might have problem at the port of entry. She then tried to clarify if she must enter before March 11 and the officer said yes. 

Probably just warning your wife you might have to correct GC when it arrives if she enters US after 2 year anniversary. I think you'll be okay. 

[Verender 3]

1 minute ago, Kor2USA said:

Okay! I know applicants from the Philippines generally go to medical before interview is scheduled. Was just wondering if something else had happened. 

Hopefully your wife misunderstood instructions and was warned about not cutting entry to US to close to visa expiry.

Or CO is new to visa process and isn't aware you can enter on CR1 visa and it converts to IR1 if you enter after 2 year anniversary. 

Yes that seems to be case either she misunderstood or the officer is new to the visa process. 

[Verender 3]

1 minute ago, Kor2USA said:

Probably just warning your wife you might have to correct GC when it arrives if she enters US after 2 year anniversary. I think you'll be okay. 

Yes and the officer advised her to go to USCIS and update her status upon arrival. 

[Crazy Cat 41,894]

7 minutes ago, Verender said:

so she must arrive in the US before March 11 or else it will be IR1 category and she might have problem at the port of entry.

That is incorrect.  Many people enter the US with a "CR-1" printed on their visa after the 2 year anniversary.  As I said, it is advantageous for her to enter on or after March 11th.

[Verender 3]

3 minutes ago, Kor2USA said:

Probably just warning your wife you might have to correct GC when it arrives if she enters US after 2 year anniversary. I think you'll be okay. 

Yes probably and we will talk to the CBP officer or will contact USCIS to correct GC for IR1

[Crazy Cat 41,894]

3 minutes ago, Verender said:

Yes and the officer advised her to go to USCIS and update her status upon arrival. 

That is incorrect.  There is no need to "go to USCIS" at all.  If she receives the incorrect card, she will submit an I-90 to receive a corrected card.  Arriving after the 2 year anniversary with "CR-1" on the visa is a very common situation.  Most people receive the correct green card.

Edited March 1, 2022 by Crazy Cat