Got our CR-1 Visa! Can we fly somewhere else?

[xzsca10 33]

6 hours ago, Southern_Belle07 said:

Being a US legal permanent residentor getting g a US visa stamp does not mean you can enter any other country. It will still depend on her home country passport. Call Korea, Japan and Italy embassies and see if a German national can visit their respective countries or they require a tourist visa. 

I’m aware of this lol. Yes, Germans can enter in those countries. Thanks though 

[xzsca10 33]

8 hours ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

Just out of curiosity, Korea and Japan I can see as a sensible combo, just about a 1 hr flight between those 2 countries and the need to research visa requirements.   But...Italy?  I mean, as a German citizen your spouse can visit Italy with no issues any time she wants. 

 

Drive, fly, rail, bus, bicycle, rowboat...ok, I know what you're thinking:  "Steve In Boston, if that's where you really are, there is no river between Germany and Italy".  But...Ah-ha!  Danube!  Take it to the Black Sea, avoid any and all pesky sea mines, row down the coast of Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey, go through the Bosporus to the Mediterranean, and BAMB!, Bob's your Uncle!  You are on your paddling sea-drenched way to Venice!

 

In all seriousness I think travelling by rail might be spectacular if you can route it through the Swiss Alps.

 

Ciao, Buona Fortuna, Haeng-un-eul Bibnida, Kōun o.

 

Hahaha! This made me chuckle 🤣 yeah we might take the ICE train over to Italy before heading to Korea and Japan 😁 a route though the Swiss Alps would be lovely! We literally forgot about this, thank you for the reminder good sir 

[xzsca10 33]

8 hours ago, top_secret said:

 

 

Which if that is about 2 years since you were married (?) there is definitely a huge incentive for her to delay entering the US until it is more than 2 years since you were married so she will get a 10 year green card and wont had to do removal of conditions.

 

 

Wow, didn't know this.. It will officially be 2 years on December 25th... Yes we got married on Christmas 🎅 It would be great to spend this christmas with the family fully united, hers and mines.. Will definitely think on this, I think even doing a removal of conditions isn't too bad, just a bit more hassle

[xzsca10 33]

7 hours ago, Loren Y said:

Japan is a real tough one still. You can only enter on escorted tours, and it's limited to 30,000 people a month, so last month as I recall about 50 people from the US ( 1 country) was allowed entry with an escort ( Babysitter) to follow you around. Skip Japan for the moment, doubt it will get better come October, they are still seriously locked down. I transit thru Tokyo quite a bit, and I when I leave the plane, they come and ask for who is entering Japan to exit the plan first. out of 300 plus passengers, there may be 5 that are entering the country, everyone else is transiting to another flight.

Noted! We will probably delay Japan for now and opt for Korea 

[JeanneAdil 6,505]

11 hours ago, RO_AH said:

The CR1 is a single entry visa and expires the moment she enters the USA. As @Timona said her passport will get a stamp which is the temporary GC before the physical GC arrives. Enjoy your honeymoon!

Is CR1 visa multiple entry?

 

A CR1 Visa or IR1 Visa is valid for a period of six months and, generally, may be used for multiple entries into the United States until its expiration.

 

 

K1 is single entry

[Family 3,988]

3 hours ago, xzsca10 said:

Will definitely think on this, I think even doing a removal of conditions isn't too bad, just a bit more hassle

As you ponder what I-751 hassles look like, may I point to @Crazy Cat or the many I-751 Filers Threads that spell out all the anguish and frustration of possible pitfalls and delays. Save yourself! 

[Loren Y 2,755]

9 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Is that all COVID-related?

It was worse during covid, they have definitely relaxed, but just a little bit. I traveled in the height of covid thru Tokyo, and it was worse. It was almost comical. They would line everyone up entering the country, and they would deplane first, then they would line people up by connecting flights. Anyone on flight xxx going to Bangkok line up now. after every one was lined up you would be instructed to follow the person holding the xxx color flag. It was a non stop escort to your next plane. You couldn't stop for anything ( think restroom) and if you got out of line you risked being shot it seemed like. Straight to your next flight as fast as possible then goodby, don't come back. About a month ago I was thru there again, and they are letting you transfer on your own, and you can mingle in the secured area of your terminal, you cannot cross into the other terminal ( Pissed me off because the best lounge at the airport was in the other terminal, so no chilling at the lounge before the next flight). Hopefully things have gotten better now, I don't go back thru there until October now, and maybe things will be back to normal by then, but they are definitely taking their time allowing visitors.

[xzsca10 33]

1 hour ago, Family said:

As you ponder what I-751 hassles look like, may I point to @Crazy Cat or the many I-751 Filers Threads that spell out all the anguish and frustration of possible pitfalls and delays. Save yourself! 

Wow, okay. So if we fly in let’s say Dec 26, is it guaranteed that we would get a 10 year visa upon entry?
 

Is there any resource you could point me to about learning the next steps after CR1? Cheers
 

we already have 2 years of joint taxes, and almost 2 years of joint credit cards.

[xzsca10 33]

36 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

It was worse during covid, they have definitely relaxed, but just a little bit. I traveled in the height of covid thru Tokyo, and it was worse. It was almost comical. They would line everyone up entering the country, and they would deplane first, then they would line people up by connecting flights. Anyone on flight xxx going to Bangkok line up now. after every one was lined up you would be instructed to follow the person holding the xxx color flag. It was a non stop escort to your next plane. You couldn't stop for anything ( think restroom) and if you got out of line you risked being shot it seemed like. Straight to your next flight as fast as possible then goodby, don't come back. About a month ago I was thru there again, and they are letting you transfer on your own, and you can mingle in the secured area of your terminal, you cannot cross into the other terminal ( Pissed me off because the best lounge at the airport was in the other terminal, so no chilling at the lounge before the next flight). Hopefully things have gotten better now, I don't go back thru there until October now, and maybe things will be back to normal by then, but they are definitely taking their time allowing visitors.

And I thought the Germans were punctual with their rules..

[xzsca10 33]

18 minutes ago, xzsca10 said:

Wow, okay. So if we fly in let’s say Dec 26, is it guaranteed that we would get a 10 year visa upon entry?
 

Is there any resource you could point me to about learning the next steps after CR1? Cheers
 

we already have 2 years of joint taxes, and almost 2 years of joint credit cards.

actually ignore the question about resources, ive been doing plenty of reading right now. i think even with a 751, we should have a strong case. we have a daughter who is almost 4, almost 10 years of shared history being gf and bf when we were young then best friends, 2 years of joint taxes, and a joint business (which will be joint once she arrives in USA and receives her SSN)

[xzsca10 33]

1 hour ago, Family said:

As you ponder what I-751 hassles look like, may I point to @Crazy Cat or the many I-751 Filers Threads that spell out all the anguish and frustration of possible pitfalls and delays. Save yourself! 

I did some research and it seems it does not matter if we enter after 2 years of marriage. The border officer will still only grant her a Green card of 2 years from her CR-1 Visa. We still have to do the 751 application either way 

[Crazy Cat 41,856]

41 minutes ago, xzsca10 said:

I did some research and it seems it does not matter if we enter after 2 years of marriage. The border officer will still only grant her a Green card of 2 years from her CR-1 Visa. We still have to do the 751 application either way 

That is incorrect.  The border officer does not issue green cards......  In addition, if the visa holder enters on or after the 2nd anniversary of the marriage, he/she will receive a 10 year green card.

[xzsca10 33]

4 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

That is incorrect.  The border officer does not issue green cards......  In addition, if the visa holder enters on or after the 2nd anniversary of the marriage, he/she will receive a 10 year green card.

Really? So our 2nd anniversary is on Dec 25. If we fly in on Dec 26, she will receive a 10 year green card? That’s so crazy to me, but we can wait it out. Already been here for 2 years with the wifey 

[Family 3,988]

1 hour ago, xzsca10 said:

even with a 751, we should have a strong case

I am sure you have solid bonafides for the marriage, issue is potential delays. I doubt there is an iota of evidence @Crazy Cat missed in his I-751…along with his credentials, but I believe he is “ celebrating “ a few anniversaries in ques for review 

[mushroomspore 3,044]

42 minutes ago, xzsca10 said:

Really? So our 2nd anniversary is on Dec 25. If we fly in on Dec 26, she will receive a 10 year green card? That’s so crazy to me, but we can wait it out. Already been here for 2 years with the wifey 

Yeah that info you got was totally incorrect. I'm nor sure where people get that kind of misinformation but USCIS.gov should be your primary go-to for official info. Visajourney should be the only other source you consult as we are people who post in real-time about our experiences. What is the exact expiry date on your CR1 visa?? The only thing that matters is that you enter BEFORE the CR1 visa expires, obviously. So if you have the room to wait and enter on Dec 26 and your visa is still valid, then you can enter Dec 26 and you will get the 10 year GC. At CBP, make sure to point this out to them. The 10 year unconditional green card category is IR1 ("Immediate Relative") while the 2 year conditional green card category is "CR1" ("Conditional Resident"). I believe they mark your passport with the category when you enter so make sure all info is correct BEFORE you walk away.