My wife entered the US with her CR-1, Is there anything else we need to do??

[Shenzhen 34]

Hi,

My wife entered the country on her CR-1 visa on May 28th (I accompanied her) in New York. At the airport they took her fingerprints and had her sign a form, and that was it.

Is there anything else we need to do before we receive her green card in the mail? or is it just a waiting game? And we apply for her SSN after we receive the green card right?

Also, what's the average time it takes to receive the green card in the mail?

She will need a social security number too take her to the office after she gets her green card.

Edited June 14, 2013 by Shenzhen

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

She will need a social security number too take her to the office after she gets her green card.

The CR-1 visa with the stamp above it in the passport is the I-551. You can get a SS # with just that about 2 weeks after entry. You DO not need to wait until the greencard arrives.

[The Mean Lady 604]

We received her visa along with immigrant packet on December 13, 2012. Expiry date on the visa was on June 12, 2013. Her interview was on August 28, 2012.

Yeah I've been meaning to fill in the timeline. I'll do it asap!

Wow, I hope it doesnt take that long for us. How exactly did you find out when they sent your file? Also, what's TSC? (sorry for the noob question)

Oh perfect! then yes, you don't have to pay the fee!

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

Wow, I hope it doesnt take that long for us. How exactly did you find out when they sent your file? Also, what's TSC? (sorry for the noob question)

Well, they hadn't received it about 3 weeks after when we went for an infopass about an unrelated issue.

TSC is the Texas Service Center and they handle the greencard processing and packets after POE (their code is SRC).

[raheelc 0]

She will need a social security number too take her to the office after she gets her green card.

Yeah we are planning on going to the office to apply for it. Thanks.

The CR-1 visa with the stamp above it in the passport is the I-551. You can get a SS # with just that about 2 weeks after entry. You DO not need to wait until the greencard arrives.

That sounds great, we'll probably go ahead next week and go to the office and apply for it.

Another question, the CR-1 visa has an expiration date on it of June 12, 2013 (which has passed now). Can she still travel outside the US on this, since it was endorsed on May 28, 2013 (the date she entered the US), and since the statement at the bottom of the visa states "upon endorsement, this visa serves as a temporary I-551 for up to one year"? So even though the expiration date on the visa is June 12, 2013, the endorsement was on May 28, 2013, so theoretically she can travel on the visa up to May 28, 2014 right? I'm just trying to clear this up.

[raheelc 0]

Oh perfect! then yes, you don't have to pay the fee!

Great news! I just hope they receive the file soon!

Well, they hadn't received it about 3 weeks after when we went for an infopass about an unrelated issue.

TSC is the Texas Service Center and they handle the greencard processing and packets after POE (their code is SRC).

Ok thanks, so the Texas Service Center handles all greencard processing and packets after POE? Even if my wife's POE was New York, at JFK airport? Is there any specific way to contact them directly?

[Ivy. 113]

raheelc, if you have been married for over 2 years at the time your wife crossed the US border, then you got CR-1 (like you said) and you do not need to remove conditions. Someone on the first page said you will have to remove contitions 90 days before your wife's 2nd anniversary in the US, but that is only for IR-1 spouses. If your wife has CR-1, then her green card is unconditional and is worth for 10 years and she can apply for naturalization after three if she wants.

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

raheelc, if you have been married for over 2 years at the time your wife crossed the US border, then you got CR-1 (like you said) and you do not need to remove conditions. Someone on the first page said you will have to remove contitions 90 days before your wife's 2nd anniversary in the US, but that is only for IR-1 spouses. If your wife has CR-1, then her green card is unconditional and is worth for 10 years and she can apply for naturalization after three if she wants.

I think you've confused the CR1 and the IR1.

[NikLR 13,232]

raheelc, if you have been married for over 2 years at the time your wife crossed the US border, then you got CR-1 (like you said) and you do not need to remove conditions. Someone on the first page said you will have to remove contitions 90 days before your wife's 2nd anniversary in the US, but that is only for IR-1 spouses. If your wife has CR-1, then her green card is unconditional and is worth for 10 years and she can apply for naturalization after three if she wants.

Actually you have it a bit backwards.

IR1 - Immediate Relative for spouses - married 2 years or more at POE = 10 year green card

CR1 - Conditional Relative for spouses - married less than 2 years at POE = 2 year Conditional Green card in which the conditions must filed to be removed 90 days less of the 2 year expiry of the green card.

Either way you can apply to be a citizen after 3 years of being in the USA if you're still married.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d84d6811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d84d6811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

[Ivy. 113]

I think you've confused the CR1 and the IR1.

LMAO, I am so sorry. You're right.

I had a very long day and should obviously go to bed at this point.

[NikLR 13,232]

LMAO, I am so sorry. You're right.

I had a very long day and should obviously go to bed at this point.

Tis okay. Everyone messes up occasionally!

[Darnell 8,479]

I'm just trying to clear this up.

Why?

It is , as written.

and no, I'm not relying on Mr. Clinton's definition of is, either.

Edited June 14, 2013 by Darnell

[raheelc 0]

Actually you have it a bit backwards.

IR1 - Immediate Relative for spouses - married 2 years or more at POE = 10 year green card

CR1 - Conditional Relative for spouses - married less than 2 years at POE = 2 year Conditional Green card in which the conditions must filed to be removed 90 days less of the 2 year expiry of the green card.

Either way you can apply to be a citizen after 3 years of being in the USA if you're still married.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d84d6811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d84d6811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

Ok, so we were married on March 10, 2011. and her POE was on May 28, 2013. So at the time of POE we have been married more than 2 years, so she should receive a 10 year green card then, right?

[Darnell 8,479]

depends ! what stamp she get at POE ?

[raheelc 0]

Why?

It is , as written.

and no, I'm not relying on Mr. Clinton's definition of is, either.

I'm trying to clear this up because the USCIS rep I spoke to said my wife can travel outside of the US with the CR1 Visa up until the epxiry date on it, which is June 12, 2013. That means (according to the rep I spoke to) that the visa is expired already, and that she can't travel now until she gets her actual green card.

But what I'm making of all this, is that since the endorsement occurred on May 28, 2013, she may now use the visa as her temporary green card for up to a year (May 28, 2014) and she can travel outside the US using that same visa/endorsement stamp. Is that correct?

depends ! what stamp she get at POE ?

The stamp on her passport is the standard entry stamp, and below it the immigration officer has written CR1