Traveling to and from the US without plastic GC

[PanFriedTofu 4]

Hello,

 

Quick question and excuses for not finding the answer.

 

I am about to have my GC interview and will then need to travel to USA for a few days for an event and then back to Canada for a few weeks to tie loose ends before making my way down.

The assumption is that I will receive my passport with the stamp prior to traveling to the USA the first time.

 

1. Do I trigger anything by crossing into the USA? Am I obligated to give the packet to the CBP officer?
   1. Does it change anything if I cross with my Nexus instead?
2. Will I be able to go back to Canada before receiving the plastic green card and re-enter the USA with no issues or am I stuck waiting for it?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

[Crazy Cat 41,814]

Once you enter the US with a valid spousal visa, your passport will be stamped.  That stamp serves as a full-fledged Green Card until the plastic one arrives.  You can exit and re-enter the US weeks or months later using it. 

[pushbrk 12,870]

2 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

Once you enter the US with a valid spousal visa, your passport will be stamped.  That stamp serves as a full-fledged Green Card until the plastic one arrives.  You can exit and re-enter the US weeks or months later using it. 

Yes, AND do NOT enter with your NEXUS.  There won't be a packet to hand over, but you must present your passport and enter using your immigrant visa.

[mam521 2,058]

19 hours ago, PanFriedTofu said:

Hello,

 

Quick question and excuses for not finding the answer.

 

I am about to have my GC interview and will then need to travel to USA for a few days for an event and then back to Canada for a few weeks to tie loose ends before making my way down.

The assumption is that I will receive my passport with the stamp prior to traveling to the USA the first time.

 

1. Do I trigger anything by crossing into the USA? Am I obligated to give the packet to the CBP officer?
   1. Does it change anything if I cross with my Nexus instead?
2. Will I be able to go back to Canada before receiving the plastic green card and re-enter the USA with no issues or am I stuck waiting for it?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

How long after your interview until you're supposed to visit for an event?  

 

Head's up, here.  If all goes well, the Consulate will take your passport and it could potentially be up to a couple of weeks until you get it back.  The instructions when you're given an interview explicitly state not to make any travel plans until your passport has been returned to you.  

 

Make sure you pay the GC fee before you leave Canada to head to the US and activate your I-551. 

 

Once you activate your I-551, you will have to update your TT profile online and then stop into a NEXUS enrollment center or send a CBP inquiry with high quality scans of your green card to have your profile updated so you can use NEXUS in the future.  

[powerpuff 6,685]

~~ Topic moved from CR1/IR1 forum to Working & Traveling during US immigration as the question is about traveling rather that CR1 process ~~