IR-1 interview

[swe_jill 7]

My husband (Irish) and I live in Sweden and have just received our appointment date for his IR-1 interview at the embassy in Stockholm. I was told that only he is to attend the interview. I guess I have been influenced by movies like Green Card where they check our answers against each other (haha), so was surprised that only he is to attend what we thought was the one and only interview. Should be expect a second interview for me alone or one where we are both to attend? Thanks for help with this very basic question

 

Also second question: we had planned to move back to the US this summer, but after the delay processing at the NVC (applied January, approved July 2017) we had to delay our plans as the visa wouldn't be approved in time. My husband committed to working another year and we've enrolled our kids in another year of school and now plan to move summer 2018. Given that the IR-1 visa has to be activated within six months, we need to delay the interview until January 2018. Does anyone have experience delaying an interview for that length of time? The embassy staff in Stockholm aren't always helpful, so I thought I was start here. Thanks in advance. 

 

Edited July 20, 2017 by swe_jill

[JFH 12,196]

The interview you saw in the film is known as a Stokes interview and is not routinely part of the immigrant visa process (remember in the film he was adjusting status in country and I do believe he had been out of status for some time - possibly going to be deported? - so the burden of proof was much harder for them, plus it was a film!). These are only performed when fraud is suspected or in more complex cases. Your case sounds very straightforward and your husband is from a low-fraud country. In all honesty, his "interview" is likely to be nothing more than a brief chat. See my timeline for a transcript of my interview in London last December. 

 

The visa expiration date will be 6 months from the date of his medical. Are you planning to travel to the USA in the next 6 months, even just for a visit? He can use them immigrant visa on that trip to "activate" it and then return to live permanently next year. Provided he does not stay out of the country more than six months he can maintain his permanent resident status. So he can visit in October, for example, visit again in March, and then move next summer. He only needs to visit for a day each time, theoretically.

[swe_jill 7]

10 hours ago, JFH said:

The interview you saw in the film is known as a Stokes interview and is not routinely part of the immigrant visa process (remember in the film he was adjusting status in country and I do believe he had been out of status for some time - possibly going to be deported? - so the burden of proof was much harder for them, plus it was a film!). These are only performed when fraud is suspected or in more complex cases. Your case sounds very straightforward and your husband is from a low-fraud country. In all honesty, his "interview" is likely to be nothing more than a brief chat. See my timeline for a transcript of my interview in London last December. 

 

The visa expiration date will be 6 months from the date of his medical. Are you planning to travel to the USA in the next 6 months, even just for a visit? He can use them immigrant visa on that trip to "activate" it and then return to live permanently next year. Provided he does not stay out of the country more than six months he can maintain his permanent resident status. So he can visit in October, for example, visit again in March, and then move next summer. He only needs to visit for a day each time, theoretically.

That is helpful - thank you! Great as we won't have to arrange for childcare while we are both in Stockholm. 

 

Regarding entering the US/leaving shortly thereafter: is that a legitimately allowed action or just one that has been allowed through? I'm ultra cautious these days to do everything by the book. Even I as a born and raised US citizen just had a ridiculous experience entering the US for a holiday with my two American citizen kids. We will be back in the US for Christmas so could certainly activate the visa then and return in the spring, but I would be wary of doing something not technically allowed. And am I remembering correctly that an ID green card is sent to our US address a few weeks after initially using the visa? Would that be a problem if we were no longer in the US (we are using my parents' address, so they would be able to receive the card and forward it to us). 

 

Many thanks again for your quick and informative response. I will check out your timeline for more info

[JFH 12,196]

Yes, it's perfectly allowed. Many do this to be able to activate the visa in the 6 months that they have to do that and then return home to tie up their affairs, sell property, ship their belongings, finish a work project, etc. Once he enters with the visa, he is a permanent resident as soon as his passport is stamped. The stamp is actually a temporary green card whilst the real plastic one is produced and mailed. It will be mailed to whichever address you provide - there's no requirement to be living there. He can re-enter with the stamp in his passport. As a permanent resident he can come and go as he pleases but he must be careful never to spend more than six months out of the country.