Approved and Moved...now what?

[CougarFan 0]

Yahoo! We were approved at the Montreal embassy for our CR-1 visa on August 19. I moved about a week later (thanks to speedy DHL!), and we are so happy to be together down here. However, I have a few questions. I'm sure they have been asked (and answered) a million times on here, but I am having a hard time finding those discussions. So thanks in advance for your patience - help is appreciated!

1) We are living in Utah, and my POE was August 27, 2011. About how long does it take to receive my green card? I've heard it depends on the population of the State - is that true? (I have a friend in Montana who got hers in a week). I haven't received any sort of package yet, and I suppose I'm just getting nervous...that's a pretty valuable card

Oh, and I am well aware that if my SSN doesn't come within 3 weeks of my POE, I can go to a local SSA office and get one.

2) So, I am a CR-1. I have heard mixed things as to when to apply for my IR-1. Is it within 3 months of our two year anniversary? How long does the paperwork take? Our two year anniversary will be next August, not for almost another year. When should I start working on the paperwork, and when should I have the paperwork submitted by? Before June 2012? Or more like July 2012? I just don't know!

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Good luck to all of you USCISers and NVCers out there. Just be patient. Life will start coming together soon, and you will be so happy you did it the right (and LEGAL) way!

Thanks!

The Prestons

[Done--Really 331]

Green cards take several weeks, but in the meantime the I-551 stamp in your passport IS THE SAME as a green card for a year, so if you need to travel or want to get a job, you are good to go--of course you need that SS# for the job !!

You can't get the 10 year green card until you have been here two years from the date of your POE--not the date of your marriage--Sorry !! Kick back and take it easy, and have fun--we'll talk about the ten year GC in about 20 months or so !!

[Ryan H 3,902]

I have heard mixed things as to when to apply for my IR-1. Is it within 3 months of our two year anniversary? How long does the paperwork take? Our two year anniversary will be next August, not for almost another year. When should I start working on the paperwork, and when should I have the paperwork submitted by? Before June 2012? Or more like July 2012? I just don't know!

You don't apply for an IR-1, you file to Remove Conditions. The removal of conditions paperwork is filed within 90 days before the second anniversary of your arrival into the US using the CR-1 visa.