First time entering the US after CR1 approved

[JRoo 3]

Hi everyone, 

 

My spouse's CR1 visa has just been approved, we applied through direct consular filing (moving from the UK)

 

The instructions provided with the visa said that we need to apply for the green card when we first arrive in the US.

On the visa documents, our first residence will be in New York. However we would like to fly to California first to visit family. 

 

My question is - do we need to fly directly to New York in order for the visa to be valid? Or can we fly into another state first? 

 

Thank you

[Crazy Cat 41,810]

1.  There is no applying for the Green card.  Once you pay the online  $220 fee to USCIS (usually paid before arriving in the US), the GC will be sent to your US address.

2.  No, you can enter the US at any POE.

Edited November 8, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[JRoo 3]

16 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

1.  There is no applying for the Green card.  Once you pay the online  $220 fee to USCIS (usually paid before arriving in the US), the GC will be sent to your US address.

2.  No, you can enter the US at any POE.

 

Thank you! Is there a chance you have a link to the website where the fee is paid for? (I'm guessing this is different from the fee we paid at the beneficiary's interview?)

 

Thanks

[Crazy Cat 41,810]

2 minutes ago, JRoo said:

 

Thank you! Is there a chance you have a link to the website where the fee is paid for? (I'm guessing this is different from the fee we paid at the beneficiary's interview?)

 

Thanks

USCIS - Immigrant Fee - USCIS Immigrant Fee

You will need the registration number and the DOS case number.  Both numbers are on the visa itself.

[JRoo 3]

20 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

USCIS - Immigrant Fee - USCIS Immigrant Fee

You will need the registration number and the DOS case number.  Both numbers are on the visa itself.

Thank you!

[Cathi 5,746]

You can fly/enter at any U.S POE.

 

You'll automatically get GC after paying the fee. 

[BLC 112]

21 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

There is no applying for the Green card.  Once you pay the online  $220 fee to USCIS (usually paid before arriving in the US), the GC will be sent to your US address.

Can the card be ordered as soon as one month before arrival?

[Crazy Cat 41,810]

1 hour ago, BLC said:

Can the card be ordered as soon as one month before arrival?

You can pay the $220 fee right after the interview.  However, the card will not be produced until the fee has been paid AND the new immigrant has entered the US. 

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from IR1/CR1 Process & Procedures to Moving to the US forum, where similar topics about POE procedures and GC delivery are discussed ***