Immigrant Wife's First Entry W/ CR1 Visa

[iladelph53 0]

My wife got her CR-1 visa through direct consular filing in Seoul after a long process on Aug. 7. When we looked at the expiration date, to our dismay, it said Sept. 7. We thought the CR1 expired six months after the interview, but is it six months after the medical?

Anyway, we had already bought tickets from Seoul to Thailand and then a trip home from Thailand to NYC on Sept. 13 before we realized that her visa was set to expire before the end of the trip.

So I have a few questions:

1) Does the CR1 expire six months after the medical exam or six months after the interview?

2) Could she make her first entry in Guam before the expiration date and then return to Thailand and fly home as planned?

3) And if she has to be there on or before Aug. 7, can she go before me?

When You Have Your Immigrant Visa - What You Should Know

If you are issued an immigrant visa, the consular officer will give you your passport containing the immigrant visa and a sealed packet containing the documents which you provided. It is important that you do not open the sealed packet. Only the U.S. immigration official should open this packet when you enter the United States. You are required to enter the U.S. before the expiration date printed on your visa. When traveling, the primary (or principal) applicant must enter the U.S. before or at the same time as family members holding visas.

I read this, but am I the applicant or is she?

Thank you very, very much.

[JohnR! 5,495]

My wife got her CR-1 visa through direct consular filing in Seoul after a long process on Aug. 7. When we looked at the expiration date, to our dismay, it said Sept. 7. We thought the CR1 expired six months after the interview, but is it six months after the medical?

Anyway, we had already bought tickets from Seoul to Thailand and then a trip home from Thailand to NYC on Sept. 13 before we realized that her visa was set to expire before the end of the trip.

So I have a few questions:

1) Does the CR1 expire six months after the medical exam or six months after the interview?

2) Could she make her first entry in Guam before the expiration date and then return to Thailand and fly home as planned?

3) And if she has to be there on or before Aug. 7, can she go before me?

I read this, but am I the applicant or is she?

Thank you very, very much.

It expires six months after the medical. I would strongly suggest you crush your schedule and get her stateside before sept 7. She can enter the US without you and she should be able to travel as soon as she has her green card on hand. It normally takes 30 days for the GC to arrive.

Good luck.

[No-Where-Man 147]

I agree to Gegel comment.

She cannot enter the US with an expried visa, if it expired, she (with your help) will need to contact the embasssy to request another visa (and this is going to be long and will cost), best thing to rush things and get her here ASAP.

About making her travelling to Guam, I would not do that. everytime you get to the US you have to show either a visa or GC or passport (US citizens).

upon entry the visa is considered invalid since (CR1 AND IR1) is a ONE time entry visa, unlike tourist visa which is multilple most of the time.

Once she gets here, she will receive her GC (within a month), by which she can travel in/out of the US (paying attention to the GC rules like not being outside the US for more than 6 months etc etc )

Edited August 14, 2012 by no_where_man

[dwheels76 5,462]

Like they said run don't walk to the nearest POE. Hawaii something whatever is closest. Vacation can wait.

[pushbrk 12,114]

It expires six months after the medical. I would strongly suggest you crush your schedule and get her stateside before sept 7. She can enter the US without you and she should be able to travel as soon as she has her green card on hand. It normally takes 30 days for the GC to arrive.

Good luck.

I'm sorry but the CR1 visa holder cannot enter the USA BEFORE the petitioner. She CAN enter without but not BEFORE the petitioner. She does NOT need to wait for the green card to arrive before international travel. The endorsed visa is a temporary green card for one year. The visa is "endorsed" upon entering the USA. Travel together to Guam might be a good option. Or, simply route the Thailand trip through the USA.

[Treva 3]

My wife got her CR-1 visa through direct consular filing in Seoul after a long process on Aug. 7. When we looked at the expiration date, to our dismay, it said Sept. 7. We thought the CR1 expired six months after the interview, but is it six months after the medical?

Anyway, we had already bought tickets from Seoul to Thailand and then a trip home from Thailand to NYC on Sept. 13 before we realized that her visa was set to expire before the end of the trip.

So I have a few questions:

1) Does the CR1 expire six months after the medical exam or six months after the interview?

2) Could she make her first entry in Guam before the expiration date and then return to Thailand and fly home as planned?

3) And if she has to be there on or before Aug. 7, can she go before me?

I read this, but am I the applicant or is she?

Thank you very, very much.

Congratulations! No, you are not he applicant. She is! I think it's better to change your ticket than to get a whole new visa approved.