Calling everyone going thru Islamabad Embassy, version 2.0

[Revived 0]

Many thanks hyd617.

Monty001 you are right.

All concerned must know that US Embassy, Islamabad will remain closed on 25th & 26th September. For further details see the website below.

http://islamabad.usembassy.gov/wn-08092401.html

sniffs!!!!:(

[monty001 0]

Ok so my dad read some more detailed news. They say that they will still process all of the existing applications and what not and resume function on Monday. The rest...I'm not sure what's gonna happen. I guess we can just pray for the best. Make some major dua you guys. Insha'Allah things will get more stable and that this is just a minor set back.

[monty001 0]

I've got some good news everyone. I just checked the Embassy's website and here is what it said:

September 26, 2008

This Warden Notice is to notify American citizens that the Consular Section will re-open to the public on Monday, September 29. Note that the Embassy will be closed to the public for the Eid Holiday from October 1 through October 3. Here is additional information regarding the re-scheduling of consular service appointments that were scheduled for September 25 and 26:

Now just make Dua that Insha'Allah things will stay stable. Ameen

[bhajishah 4]

Salaams, whewww congrats!!!

[zorro 0]

How are you friends? I pray and hope you would get their visas soon and would be with your 2nd half.

Friends i wanat to know one question.

My wife got CR1 visa from islamabad in august that is valid for 6 months, But a line is written under it,THAT IS ON ENDORCEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY 1-551 EVIDENCING PERMAMENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.

wHILE UPON ENTERING IN USA at JFK immigration officer stamped passport with two years CR1 visa till 2010. while we have been spent 17 months in visa getting process in different countries.

So please let me know would she has to spend two years for getting unconditional card or the one year ? We have to follow the immigration officers stamp or the visa statement,,THAT IS ON ENDORCEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY 1-551 EVIDENCING PERMAMENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.

please guide.

zorro

[bhajishah 4]

Wow no . You got a one yr residency endorsement!! file AOS next yr cool

[zorro 0]

Thank you vey much cindishah for responding. CINDISHAH so should we apply 3 months before the date of endind one year completely?

AYESHA HAVE YOUR HUSBAND GOT THE SAME WORDINGS AS MY WIFE DID? My wife got CR1 visa from islamabad in august that is valid for 6 months, But a line is written under it,THAT IS ON ENDORCEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY 1-551 EVIDENCING PERMAMENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.

WHILE UPON ENTERING IN USA at JFK immigration officer stamped passport with two years CR1 visa till 2010. while we have been spent 17 months in visa getting process in different countries.

So please let me know she has to spend two years for getting unconditional card or the one year ? We have to follow the immigration officers stamp or the visa statement?

THAT IS UPON ENDORCEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY 1-551 EVIDENCING PERMAMENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.

please guide.

zorro

[Amy B. 0]

How are you friends? I pray and hope you would get their visas soon and would be with your 2nd half.

Friends i wanat to know one question.

My wife got CR1 visa from islamabad in august that is valid for 6 months, But a line is written under it,THAT IS ON ENDORCEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY 1-551 EVIDENCING PERMAMENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.

wHILE UPON ENTERING IN USA at JFK immigration officer stamped passport with two years CR1 visa till 2010. while we have been spent 17 months in visa getting process in different countries.

So please let me know would she has to spend two years for getting unconditional card or the one year ? We have to follow the immigration officers stamp or the visa statement,,THAT IS ON ENDORCEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY 1-551 EVIDENCING PERMAMENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.

please guide.

zorro

Salaam zorro,

My husbands had the same as well and I'm glad you asked that........

so is this a good thing or what? Please explain

[Amy B. 0]

Thank you vey much cindishah for responding. CINDISHAH so should we apply 3 months before the date of endind one year completely?

AYESHA HAVE YOUR HUSBAND GOT THE SAME WORDINGS AS MY WIFE DID? My wife got CR1 visa from islamabad in august that is valid for 6 months, But a line is written under it,THAT IS ON ENDORCEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY 1-551 EVIDENCING PERMAMENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.

WHILE UPON ENTERING IN USA at JFK immigration officer stamped passport with two years CR1 visa till 2010. while we have been spent 17 months in visa getting process in different countries.

So please let me know she has to spend two years for getting unconditional card or the one year ? We have to follow the immigration officers stamp or the visa statement?

THAT IS UPON ENDORCEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY 1-551 EVIDENCING PERMAMENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.

please guide.

zorro

hi zorro,

yes my husband had the exact same wording. So, what does this mean exactly, I have looked for the I-551 but says it acts as a greencard? Maybe I misunderstood, I am not sure.

maybe someone can explain to us and what we should do? I see where cindishah replied so does that mean that instead of waiting 2 yrs for AOS, we can do it next year?

Have they always done that with the CR1 visa's or is this new?

Aisha

[zorro 0]

Thank you vey much cindishah for responding. CINDISHAH so should we apply 3 months before the date of endind one year completely?

AYESHA HAVE YOUR HUSBAND GOT THE SAME WORDINGS AS MY WIFE DID? My wife got CR1 visa from islamabad in august that is valid for 6 months, But a line is written under it,THAT IS ON ENDORCEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY 1-551 EVIDENCING PERMAMENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.

WHILE UPON ENTERING IN USA at JFK immigration officer stamped passport with two years CR1 visa till 2010. while we have been spent 17 months in visa getting process in different countries.

So please let me know she has to spend two years for getting unconditional card or the one year ? We have to follow the immigration officers stamp or the visa statement?

THAT IS UPON ENDORCEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY 1-551 EVIDENCING PERMAMENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.

please guide.

zorro

hi zorro,

yes my husband had the exact same wording. So, what does this mean exactly, I have looked for the I-551 but says it acts as a greencard? Maybe I misunderstood, I am not sure.

maybe someone can explain to us and what we should do? I see where cindishah replied so does that mean that instead of waiting 2 yrs for AOS, we can do it next year?

Have they always done that with the CR1 visa's or is this new?

Aisha

Salam Ayesha,

Yes i wanna know more about it,as cindishah replied ,if it is so, my wife and qasim can get 10 years unconditional green card in 2009 and citizenship in 2010. But upon entering in usa at JFK the immigration officer stamped passport without asking anything till 2010 on my wifes passport ,while the visa sticker from islamabad says UPON ENDORCEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY 1-551 EVIDENCING PERMAMENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.

May be we have passed more than 15 months in pakistan ,so they gave us this relaxation.

Please you too get information about it.

thanx zorro.

[Amy B. 0]

Zorro

This is what my friend told me about this I-551 and I hope this will help us all understand it a lil better. I will just put everything she told me and she is good with immigration stuff

The I-551 is the technical form name for the green card. What will happen when he enters the USA is that his visa will be endorsed with that stamp. That stamp means that he is a Permanent Resident, and is the same as having his green card. The I-551 is the green card, just in a stamp format. The real plastic green card comes automatically in the mail a few weeks after his arrival.

There is no AOS involved in your process, because Qasim will become a Permanent Resident when he enters the USA, no need for him to further adjust his status here.

If your marriage is less than 2 years old when Qasim enters the USA, he will get a CR-1 stamp, which means Conditional Resident, and he will receive a 2-year green card in the mail. The only thing that means is that in 2 years he will have one more form to file to get the 10-year green card. Otherwise, if your marriage is more than 2 years old when Qasim enters the USA, he will get an IR-1 stamp, which means....hmmm. ..not sure what the I stands for..LOL But IR-1 is just a Permanent Resident (not the conditional kind), so he will receive a 10-year card in the mail.

Aisha

Edited September 27, 2008 by Qasim~n~Aisha

[Amy B. 0]

FORGOT TO ADD THIS>>>>

Aisha, in addition, I thought I'd also mention that Qasim can apply for US citizenship in 3 years minus 90 days from the date he becomes a Permanent Resident (in his case, from the date he enters the USA). There are a few other conditions to be met for citizenship also, but in general he can file just about 3 years from the time he enters the USA.

Zorro

This is what my friend told me about this I-551 and I hope this will help us all understand it a lil better. I will just put everything she told me and she is good with immigration stuff

The I-551 is the technical form name for the green card. What will happen when he enters the USA is that his visa will be endorsed with that stamp. That stamp means that he is a Permanent Resident, and is the same as having his green card. The I-551 is the green card, just in a stamp format. The real plastic green card comes automatically in the mail a few weeks after his arrival.

There is no AOS involved in your process, because Qasim will become a Permanent Resident when he enters the USA, no need for him to further adjust his status here.

If your marriage is less than 2 years old when Qasim enters the USA, he will get a CR-1 stamp, which means Conditional Resident, and he will receive a 2-year green card in the mail. The only thing that means is that in 2 years he will have one more form to file to get the 10-year green card. Otherwise, if your marriage is more than 2 years old when Qasim enters the USA, he will get an IR-1 stamp, which means....hmmm. ..not sure what the I stands for..LOL But IR-1 is just a Permanent Resident (not the conditional kind), so he will receive a 10-year card in the mail.

Aisha

[zorro 0]

FORGOT TO ADD THIS>>>>

Aisha, in addition, I thought I'd also mention that Qasim can apply for US citizenship in 3 years minus 90 days from the date he becomes a Permanent Resident (in his case, from the date he enters the USA). There are a few other conditions to be met for citizenship also, but in general he can file just about 3 years from the time he enters the USA.

Zorro

This is what my friend told me about this I-551 and I hope this will help us all understand it a lil better. I will just put everything she told me and she is good with immigration stuff

The I-551 is the technical form name for the green card. What will happen when he enters the USA is that his visa will be endorsed with that stamp. That stamp means that he is a Permanent Resident, and is the same as having his green card. The I-551 is the green card, just in a stamp format. The real plastic green card comes automatically in the mail a few weeks after his arrival.

There is no AOS involved in your process, because Qasim will become a Permanent Resident when he enters the USA, no need for him to further adjust his status here.

If your marriage is less than 2 years old when Qasim enters the USA, he will get a CR-1 stamp, which means Conditional Resident, and he will receive a 2-year green card in the mail. The only thing that means is that in 2 years he will have one more form to file to get the 10-year green card. Otherwise, if your marriage is more than 2 years old when Qasim enters the USA, he will get an IR-1 stamp, which means....hmmm. ..not sure what the I stands for..LOL But IR-1 is just a Permanent Resident (not the conditional kind), so he will receive a 10-year card in the mail.

Aisha

How are you doing AYESHA?

yes i got your point, the same happened with my wife. the immigration officer stamped passport with two years CR1 visa.

But why the islamabad visa sticker contains this wording......UPON ENDORCEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY 1-551 EVIDENCING PERMAMENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.

This makes a doubt.while officer gives two year visa. what is this?

Please also ask about this wording to your immigration expert friend.

Best of wishes for both of you. Good luck in future.

zorro

[Amy B. 0]

How are you doing AYESHA?

yes i got your point, the same happened with my wife. the immigration officer stamped passport with two years CR1 visa.

But why the islamabad visa sticker contains this wording......UPON ENDORCEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY 1-551 EVIDENCING PERMAMENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.

This makes a doubt.while officer gives two year visa. what is this?

Please also ask about this wording to your immigration expert friend.

Best of wishes for both of you. Good luck in future.

zorro

Hi Zorro,

I am doing fine Alhumdulilah.......thanks for asking. I am just waiting for my husband to come home.

Well I don't know why the embassy words it like that on the visa. That is a question for them or an immigration officer, because they would be the ones to know I guess.

If I can find out why, I will post, but I doubt if I will........maybe someone else might know.....maybe Mary!!! I know she lurks around from time to time so maybe she could answer that because i can't. sorry

Best wishes to you and your wife as well. Wishing you all the happiness in the future

Aisha

[MaryandMian 1]

How are you doing AYESHA?

yes i got your point, the same happened with my wife. the immigration officer stamped passport with two years CR1 visa.

But why the islamabad visa sticker contains this wording......UPON ENDORCEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY 1-551 EVIDENCING PERMAMENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.

This makes a doubt.while officer gives two year visa. what is this?

Please also ask about this wording to your immigration expert friend.

Best of wishes for both of you. Good luck in future.

zorro

Any marriage that is less than 2 years at the time of the interview is given a CR-1 visa. Means it is conditional like Ayesha's friend explained. Islamabad endorsements state that the I-551 serves as a temporary for one year at the POE. This is because in years past getting the actual green card took longer than it does to arrives today as well as serves as your proof that you can legally stay in the USA for one year. If within 4 -6 weeks you do not get your actual green card you must contact USCIS and tell them you are missing your greencard. Your I-551 is what you will need to carry on your person to prove your legal status in case an officer or someone asks you to prove your status. All greencard holders must carry their actual green card on them and if you do not and an officer asks for it you can be fined/deported since they do not know your legal status. The passport stamp I-551 is the same as the actual greencard until you have it in your possession.

Hope this explains it. And with a CR-1 you must file to lift the conditions and it takes roughly one year for this to process now and then you can apply for citizenship. Here is our time line below.

Example:

05/23/06 Mian's POE

02/23/08 File I-751 lift conditions on card and this was the earliest it could be done. Time frame for LOC was 02/23/08 -05/22/08 which is 90 days before the Greencard expiration date.

02/23/09 Can file the N-400 for citizenship. This is 90 days before his third full year of residency in the USA.

Mary