Requirements AFTER CR-1/IR-1 is issued?

[meow85meow 3]

Hello. I was just issued my CR-1 visa late last week (expecting to get an IR-1 green card because my 2nd anniversary will be early May). Originally, my plan was to quit my job, finish up attending personal matters here, and then moving back to the States late May/early June.  However, with the whole corona situation, my spouse and I are both highly concerned about my moving back at this time (health reasons, job reasons, etc.). We are now curious about what the requirements are AFTER having the CR-1/IR-1 visa issued. Do I just need to enter the States within the visa expiration date (late August)? Is there a certain amount of time I have to reside in the states (e.g., have to stay at least a 6 months before going back, etc.)?? Because one of our primary concerns is my finding a job once I move to the States, we are thinking about possibly having me make a short trip to visit him in the US just to make sure I enter the US within the visa expiration time period, and then extending our long distance time apart until this situation blows over a little. Would that be possible??

[pushbrk 12,966]

30 minutes ago, meow85meow said:

Hello. I was just issued my CR-1 visa late last week (expecting to get an IR-1 green card because my 2nd anniversary will be early May). Originally, my plan was to quit my job, finish up attending personal matters here, and then moving back to the States late May/early June.  However, with the whole corona situation, my spouse and I are both highly concerned about my moving back at this time (health reasons, job reasons, etc.). We are now curious about what the requirements are AFTER having the CR-1/IR-1 visa issued. Do I just need to enter the States within the visa expiration date (late August)? Is there a certain amount of time I have to reside in the states (e.g., have to stay at least a 6 months before going back, etc.)?? Because one of our primary concerns is my finding a job once I move to the States, we are thinking about possibly having me make a short trip to visit him in the US just to make sure I enter the US within the visa expiration time period, and then extending our long distance time apart until this situation blows over a little. Would that be possible??

Requirement 1.  Pay New Immigrant Fee.  Requirement 2. Enter the US before the visa expires.  You are free to travel at anytime, but should not leave the US for MORE THAN SIX MONTHS.  The six months away is not a hard and fast rule but it will keep you out of trouble.  Long term, you need to maintain permanent residence in the USA, which generally means spending more time in the US than out and having the US as your primary residence.

[meow85meow 3]

1 hour ago, pushbrk said:

Requirement 1.  Pay New Immigrant Fee.  Requirement 2. Enter the US before the visa expires.  You are free to travel at anytime, but should not leave the US for MORE THAN SIX MONTHS.  The six months away is not a hard and fast rule but it will keep you out of trouble.  Long term, you need to maintain permanent residence in the USA, which generally means spending more time in the US than out and having the US as your primary residence.

Thank you for your response!!! I have two questions.

 

First question: Is the six month requirement from the time of entry (e.g., I enter in August 2020, and until August 2021, I have to spend at least 6+ months in the US)? 

 

Second question: Are there any requirements that I have to spend the first couple of months there (e.g., if I enter in August, I have to spend the first couple of months in the US)?

 

I work in the financial industry, and with corona right now, the industry is acting VERY erractically. Because the job market looks REALLY bad right now, my spouse and I are thinking that I stay at my current position for as long as possible, save up money, and then move back when the corona situation has died down a little. Thank you again for any advice!!!!

[pushbrk 12,966]

12 hours ago, meow85meow said:

Thank you for your response!!! I have two questions.

 

First question: Is the six month requirement from the time of entry (e.g., I enter in August 2020, and until August 2021, I have to spend at least 6+ months in the US)? 

 

Second question: Are there any requirements that I have to spend the first couple of months there (e.g., if I enter in August, I have to spend the first couple of months in the US)?

 

I work in the financial industry, and with corona right now, the industry is acting VERY erractically. Because the job market looks REALLY bad right now, my spouse and I are thinking that I stay at my current position for as long as possible, save up money, and then move back when the corona situation has died down a little. Thank you again for any advice!!!!

I meant literally, you are free to travel at anytime.  I said nothing about any minimum time in the US after your first entry BECAUSE, you are free to travel at any time, even that same day.  Your plan is fine, but don't leave for more than six months.  Based on your plan, you should stay longer in the US on your second entry than you were gone.

 

Note that each entry is a judgment call.  If they think you are NOT RESIDING in the US, they can deny entry, but they will understand some erratic travel in the beginning.  If asked, tell the truth.

Edited March 16, 2020 by pushbrk

[Just Paul 4,595]

18 hours ago, meow85meow said:

I move to the States, we are thinking about possibly having me make a short trip to visit him in the US just to make sure I enter the US within the visa expiration time period, and then extending our long distance time apart until this situation blows over a little. Would that be possible??

Enter before he visa expires.

 

You can leave as soon as you enter the US.   We entered on a Sunday and Friday went back to Mexico for the weekend.

[Hank_ 9,174]

On 3/16/2020 at 4:13 AM, meow85meow said:

Hello. I was just issued my CR-1 visa late last week (expecting to get an IR-1 green card because my 2nd anniversary will be early May). Originally, my plan was to quit my job, finish up attending personal matters here, and then moving back to the States late May/early June.  However, with the whole corona situation, my spouse and I are both highly concerned about my moving back at this time (health reasons, job reasons, etc.). We are now curious about what the requirements are AFTER having the CR-1/IR-1 visa issued. Do I just need to enter the States within the visa expiration date (late August)? Is there a certain amount of time I have to reside in the states (e.g., have to stay at least a 6 months before going back, etc.)?? Because one of our primary concerns is my finding a job once I move to the States, we are thinking about possibly having me make a short trip to visit him in the US just to make sure I enter the US within the visa expiration time period, and then extending our long distance time apart until this situation blows over a little. Would that be possible??

Enter the USA before the expiration date noted on the visa.  If you enter the USA after your 2nd wedding anniversary you will be issue a 10 year green card, if you enter before you will be issued a conditional green card valid for 2 years.

 

You can exit the USA the day after you clear POE if you want, there is not a requirement for staying a certain amount of time before exiting.   However there are limitations for being outside the USA; if planning to be outside the USA for 1 year or more (BUT not over 2 years) you need to complete the I-131 process with USCIS for re-entry before you travel.   (there is not a 6 month limitation)

 

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/international-travel-a-permanent-resident