POE prior to final move?

[MtlMama 0]

I am a bit confused about some posts I've seen where the CO instructed those who got visa approval at interview to do POE straight away, but not crossing the border ("just go for a coffee"). Does that mean we can complete POE without crossing the actual border?

We would like to do POE prior to our final move, as we'll have not only the U-haul but our pet bird when we cross. Our bird will have to pass an inspection that requires we set up an appt at the border (so their vet is present). All this to say I'd hoped we could do POE, then return to Canada and finalize/pack for the final crossing and Lili's vet check.

Is that acceptable?? I want to be really clear on this, so we don't have problems at POE.

K

[ZansGirl 0]

I am a bit confused about some posts I've seen where the CO instructed those who got visa approval at interview to do POE straight away, but not crossing the border ("just go for a coffee"). Does that mean we can complete POE without crossing the actual border?

We would like to do POE prior to our final move, as we'll have not only the U-haul but our pet bird when we cross. Our bird will have to pass an inspection that requires we set up an appt at the border (so their vet is present). All this to say I'd hoped we could do POE, then return to Canada and finalize/pack for the final crossing and Lili's vet check.

Is that acceptable?? I want to be really clear on this, so we don't have problems at POE.

K

I beleive you are alright as you have a CR-1..your first visit through is your POE and they do the stamp and all the other #######...but I THINK (please correct) that the stamp they give you will allow you to re-enter the states again...

[HeatDeath 431]

Technically a CR-1 visa is single use, just like a K-1. But because a CR-1 is an immigrant visa, you are a permanent resident the instant you cross the border. When you PoE for the first time with a CR-1, they will stamp your passport with an I-551 stamp. This stamp is equivalent to a green card (which is also a Form I-551), and you can freely reenter the US using that stamp for (I think) up to one year. The green card itself is mailed to your US address within a month or so of your first PoE.

[MtlMama 0]

Technically a CR-1 visa is single use, just like a K-1. But because a CR-1 is an immigrant visa, you are a permanent resident the instant you cross the border. When you PoE for the first time with a CR-1, they will stamp your passport with an I-551 stamp. This stamp is equivalent to a green card (which is also a Form I-551), and you can freely reenter the US using that stamp for (I think) up to one year. The green card itself is mailed to your US address within a month or so of your first PoE.

Oops, should have specified. Ours is an IR-1.

[HeatDeath 431]

Oops, should have specified. Ours is an IR-1.

Same thing. Only difference is the category and expiration date on the green card that gets mailed to you. 10 year vs 2 year.