Visiting the US with a temporary I-551

[blakeanddan 6]

To anyone’s knowledge, if I have been issued a temporary I-551 with an expiry of May 5, 2019, can I visit the US as a visitor between now and then without jeopardizing that? I intend on immigrating in April, however was hoping to visit my spouse once more between now and then. I just don’t know if I cross the border with that, if they will allow me to cross as a visitor and not as a PR. Thanks!

[mushroomspore 3,043]

Are you talking about a physical GC or the stamp in your passport? Because either way, you are a PR and you will always be admitted as a PR. 

[dwheels76 5,459]

6 minutes ago, blakeanddan said:

To anyone’s knowledge, if I have been issued a temporary I-551 with an expiry of May 5, 2019, can I visit the US as a visitor between now and then without jeopardizing that? I intend on immigrating in April, however was hoping to visit my spouse once more between now and then. I just don’t know if I cross the border with that, if they will allow me to cross as a visitor and not as a PR. Thanks!

You are a green card holder correct? That's why you have the I-551 stamp so your are a legal permanent resident not a visitor. 
You're not talking about the 6 month Visa stamp are you to enter the US? I assume you have entered the US on a CR1/IR1 visa and got a 551 stamp good for 1 year?

[payxibka 10,044]

11 minutes ago, blakeanddan said:

To anyone’s knowledge, if I have been issued a temporary I-551 with an expiry of May 5, 2019, can I visit the US as a visitor between now and then without jeopardizing that? I intend on immigrating in April, however was hoping to visit my spouse once more between now and then. I just don’t know if I cross the border with that, if they will allow me to cross as a visitor and not as a PR. Thanks!

You can cross a hundred times if you want.

[Boiler 43,433]

You seem to have your situation back to front, do you mean you are temporarily visiting Canada.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,368]

It sounds like you entered on a CR1 or IR1 visa on May 9 2018 (and became a LPR) then went back to Canada to live there?

Be careful, your LPR status may be considered abandoned if you don't move to the US soon.

Be aware that CBP can't take your LPR status away, though, so if they want you to sign something to that effect at the border, refuse it, demand your day in court. Only an Immigration Judge can take away your LPR status UNLESS you agree to it (i.e. sign documents at the border).

[blakeanddan 6]

49 minutes ago, dwheels76 said:

You are a green card holder correct? That's why you have the I-551 stamp so your are a legal permanent resident not a visitor. 
You're not talking about the 6 month Visa stamp are you to enter the US? I assume you have entered the US on a CR1/IR1 visa and got a 551 stamp good for 1 year?

I still only have the temporary 6 month stamp in my VISA. I have yet to cross the border and immigrate with that 6 month stamp. I was wondering if I can visit the US with that in there without jeopardizing it when I intend on moving in April 

[payxibka 10,044]

4 minutes ago, blakeanddan said:

I still only have the temporary 6 month stamp in my VISA. I have yet to cross the border and immigrate with that 6 month stamp. I was wondering if I can visit the US with that in there without jeopardizing it when I intend on moving in April 

Proper terminology is so important.   You only have the visa inside your passport?  The visa is not a stamp but a sticker .  

Edited January 7, 2019 by payxibka

[Readysetgo1 2]

3 minutes ago, blakeanddan said:

I still only have the temporary 6 month stamp in my VISA. I have yet to cross the border and immigrate with that 6 month stamp. I was wondering if I can visit the US with that in there without jeopardizing it when I intend on moving in April 

You can cross, once you cross you will be admitted as a permanent resident, and ththaththat stamp passport will act as a green card until the plastic one comes in the mail. This also means all the rules of a permanent resident applies so you cant stay outside the country for more than 6. months 

[dwheels76 5,459]

34 minutes ago, blakeanddan said:

I still only have the temporary 6 month stamp in my VISA. I have yet to cross the border and immigrate with that 6 month stamp. I was wondering if I can visit the US with that in there without jeopardizing it when I intend on moving in April 

Okay thought so you haven't activated your I-551. You don;t have that stamp yet you get that upon arrival with your Vsa you have inserted in your passport.

 

No you can't come across as a visitor they will check passport and stamp it with the temp 551 which is good for 1 year.

[carmel34 3,531]

You can immigrate on your next trip to the US with the I-551 and become a PR, then return to Canada after your visit until you were planning to immigrate.  You should be okay as long as you don't stay in Canada more than 6 months before returning to the US.

[TBoneTX 43,058]

Thread is moved from Direct Consular Filing to the Working & Traveling forum.

[Crazy Cat 39,220]

16 hours ago, blakeanddan said:

I still only have the temporary 6 month stamp in my VISA. I have yet to cross the border and immigrate with that 6 month stamp. I was wondering if I can visit the US with that in there without jeopardizing it when I intend on moving in April 

No.  When you enter with that CR-1 visa, you are a legal resident right then and there.........but you can immediately exit and return in April with no negative consequences.

[USS_Voyager 1,971]

I just thought I would throw this question out there. So the OP is Canadian, evidently, right. He has an immigrant visa on his passport but did not enter the US yet. Is it at all possible for him to show up at a POE and tell the CBP officer that "Yes, I know I have an immigrant visa but can you admit me as ETSA Canadian or whatever, for this trip only, because I intend for this to be a short visit only. On the next trip, I will enter as a LPR of the US." I know that entry is at discretion of the CBP, but is that scenario a real option?

[aaron2020 11,651]

1 hour ago, USS_Voyager said:

I just thought I would throw this question out there. So the OP is Canadian, evidently, right. He has an immigrant visa on his passport but did not enter the US yet. Is it at all possible for him to show up at a POE and tell the CBP officer that "Yes, I know I have an immigrant visa but can you admit me as ETSA Canadian or whatever, for this trip only, because I intend for this to be a short visit only. On the next trip, I will enter as a LPR of the US." I know that entry is at discretion of the CBP, but is that scenario a real option?

It would be simpler to enter on the immigration visa and become a green card holder upon entry.   A green card holder can freely enter and exit the US.  

 

There is no need to make this complicated.