After Approval

[y00ch 1]

Does anyone know what happens after the approval process in detail? Does the passport come sealed inside the package and do you just travel with that? How does security at the airport know? What about when I arrive? When will I get a social security # to work? Will the green card be automatically mailed to me? Do I need to fill out any more forms or notify the gov. Of anything else?

Got approved at the London Embassy on 7/30/15. Yay! Thanks happy and proud to be American. But now I'm clueless as to what happens. Can't seem to find any guides on this site.

Thnx cheers.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

The courier will deliver your sealed immigration file envelope and passport in a delivery wrapper. Usually takes around a week. Open the delivery wrapper so you can get your passport out. Don't open the white envelope of files that is clearly marked DO NOT OPEN.

When you arrive at POE, tell them you are entering on a CR1 spouse visa and show them the sealed envelope. They will guide you from there. Each airport could do it slightly differently. Look at the BLUE menu bar (on a non-mobile version of VJ) and click POE. Find your airport. Read the experiences people wrote.

Don't say you are American. You can get in serious immigration trouble for claiming to be a US citizen. You are proud to be an "American resident".

[y00ch 1]

Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate your fast response.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate your fast response.

You need to read this page because there is a fee to pay because you are a a CR1 visa person. You won't get your greencard until paid. Best to pay before you leave for the U.S. http://www.uscis.gov/uscis-elis/e-filing-using-uscis-elis/paying-uscis-immigrant-fee-uscis-elis/uscis-immigrant-fee

Also, when you go through POE, they will stamp your visa to indicate you are a permanent resident. That is good for a year. Show that until you receive the card in the mail if you need to prove you are a US permanent resident...for example applying for work or getting a driver license.

Some people get their Social Security card automatically in the mail. Others end up needing to chase it down or just go apply in person at their local office.

Also, if you and/or the spouse are working and paying taxes in the UK, you can file a form P85 with the UK Inland Revenue and maybe get a refund from them. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/income-tax-leaving-the-uk-getting-your-tax-right-p85

[donkasten 0]

Help!

We did a DCF, my wife has received her Iri visa "in hand" We are leaving the Philippines on the 25th of this month. I do not have any credit / debit / card to pay the online green card fee. My daughter in the U.S. will pay on line.

My question is: no where is there info on the exact procedures to be followed if another family member pays the green card fee. Does my daughter use the same form my wife has already established / opened at USCIS-ELIS? (if so, then we must provide her the wife's account #, pin #, password...whatever - right?)

OR, should my daughter give my wife her (my daughters) full credit card information and my wife enter it herself?

Thank you. Don Kasten

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Help!

We did a DCF, my wife has received her Iri visa "in hand" We are leaving the Philippines on the 25th of this month. I do not have any credit / debit / card to pay the online green card fee. My daughter in the U.S. will pay on line.

My question is: no where is there info on the exact procedures to be followed if another family member pays the green card fee. Does my daughter use the same form my wife has already established / opened at USCIS-ELIS? (if so, then we must provide her the wife's account #, pin #, password...whatever - right?)

OR, should my daughter give my wife her (my daughters) full credit card information and my wife enter it herself?

Thank you. Don Kasten

I didn't do that fee so I don't know the particulars of how it works. Look around in the IR1/CR1 forum which has more activity than this DCF forum. They all pay the Immigrant fee.