Change from CR-1 to IR-1 at POE

[cherriesss 4]

If you receive your immigrant visa before your second wedding anniversary, it will be issued as a Conditional Resident (CR-1 Category). However, if at all possible, you may choose to process your visa after your second wedding anniversary in order to have it issued as a Permanent Resident (IR-1 Category).

However, if you receive a CR-1 before your second wedding anniversary and THEN ENTER THE US (PORT OF ENTRY DAY) AFTER YOUR SECOND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY you can request at the port of entry that your residency be IR-1 (and not CR-1) because the two year marriage condition has been complied with before this day you entered the US on your CR-1.

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For ANYONE who knows or has gone through the experience of requesting the change from CR-1 to IR-1 at the port of entry:

1) Was it easy for you to get the residency type changed at the port of entry? Why or why not?

2) Would you do it again like that or would you have waited for your two year anniversary before having your interview so you could get the IR-1 from the start?

3) What recommendations would you give me about requesting the change to IR-1 at the port of entry?

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Your feedback is appreciated greatly!

[LotofPatience 65]

Let me make it in simple way, rather than complicated.

When the beneficiary arrives at POE, if the marriage happened 2 years and 1 day ago, you just provide the marriage certificate and have a chat with the POE officer to issue IR1.

That's it.

Loto

[cherriesss 4]

Thank you, Loto. Is making the change required of the POE Officer if I point out that the visa type must be adjusted?

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Any more VJ members out there that can contribute some feedback?

I want to make sure that there are good outcomes from several people (if possible) so that I feel confident of traveling with the CR-1 but exiting the airport with my IR-1 in hand.

[Darnell 8,478]

some other posts to review -

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/275963-cr1-visa-holder/

and

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/277175-cr-1-visa-to-ir-1-at-point-of-entry/

if the marriage certificate is in the sealed envelope (if it's the only one)

then be prepared to wait in secondary, a bit, whilst a senior immigration officer opens the sealed envelope, to RETRIEVE the marriage certificate.

[cherriesss 4]

Tx, Darnell. You are always most helpful.

[Darnell 8,478]

Hey - I try. This isn't my first rodeo.

[Poloydim 0]

Hey - I try. This isn't my first rodeo.

Hi, all. now my question is? is this for couple who physically lived together for two years or can this also be possible for a couple who lived separately, like for example one spouse who is the US Citizen living in the US and one living abroad who is immigrating here with CR-1 visa?

[OBX 51]

Hi, all. now my question is? is this for couple who physically lived together for two years or can this also be possible for a couple who lived separately, like for example one spouse who is the US Citizen living in the US and one living abroad who is immigrating here with CR-1 visa?

It refers to the date of marriage not time you have lived together. If your spouse POEs after the second anniversary of your marriage they are eligible for IR1 status.

[Poloydim 0]

It refers to the date of marriage not time you have lived together. If your spouse POEs after the second anniversary of your marriage they are eligible for IR1 status.

thank you so very much OBX...

[taqwa 0]

i got a cr1 visa on 1 march 2011 , my second anniversary was on April 16 2011 and my entry was on April 19 2011

i got a cr1 green card! not even 1 day more lolllllllll i had some hope because of what i read on this forum even a conditionally green card is so good