IR1 Visa questions

[jagsfl 14]

Hey all, I couldn't find the answer to this where I've looked so hoping someone can help!

 

Once my wife arrives to the U.S. with IR1 visa, how long will it take before she is able to travel outside of the U.S?  I have read she can right away as she will already have a green card, but then I'm also seeing online that it can take 120 days for her to be able to travel... so I'm a bit confused.

 

Also, with the IR1 visa, will she not be able to be outside of the U.S. for more than 6 months of a year?

 

Thank you in advance!

[jagsfl 14]

Edit:  My questions:

 

• How long will it take before she is able to travel outside of the U.S?  I have read she can right away as she will already have a green card in process and can prove it with passport, but then I'm also seeing online that it can take 6 weeks for her to get a physical green card and be able to travel... so I'm a bit confused.

 

• Are we only able to apply for the green card AFTER she arrives to the U.S.?

 

• With the IR1 visa, will she not be able to be outside of the U.S. for more than 6 months of a year?

[PaulaCJohnny 713]

She can travel in the first moment. Her Visa allows her to use like a prove of permanent resident for 1 year, but remember that 

1) we are in the middle of a pandemia 

2) She is moving to the US to be a resident no to use her like a visit or vacation place. 

 

Is there any specific reason that she wants to travel right away?

 

Once her visa is approved she will pay for the Green card fee and yes, she will just receive it after she arrives because this will be the day that she start her visa "clock". She is not a LPR until she is allowed to enter the US border.

 

Any LPR can be outside of the US, they normally advise to don't be out for more than 12 months, but this doesn't mean that someone can live 12 months out 1 months here and 12 months out again.

 

This visa is for her to be a RESIDENT, so she need to be more in the US than out.  

Edited December 14, 2020 by Paula&Johnny

[Boiler 45,670]

Immediately

 

You can pay the fee in advance

 

IR1 means she wants to be a US Permanent Resident.

[jagsfl 14]

2 minutes ago, Paula&Johnny said:

She can travel in the first moment. Her Visa allows her to use like a prove of permanent resident for 1 year, but remember that 

1) we are in the middle of a pandemia 

2) She is moving to the US to be a resident.

 

Is there any specific reason that she wants to travel right away?

 

Once her visa is approved she will pay for the Green card fee and yes, she will just receive it after she arrives because this will be the day that she start her visa "clock". She is not a LPR until she is allowed to enter the US border.

 

Any LPR can be outside of the US, they normally advise to don't be out for more than 12 months, but this doesn't mean that someone can live 12 months out 1 months here and 12 months out again.

 

This visa is for her to be a RESIDENT, so she need to be more in the US than out.  

Thank you! Yes, we are wanting to go to Europe this summer is why I wondered about travel right away... (this is even if we are able to anyway...) 

 

 

[jagsfl 14]

8 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Immediately

 

You can pay the fee in advance

 

IR1 means she wants to be a US Permanent Resident.

How can I pay for it in advance?  Right now, we're in the part where she needs to go see the doctor. So we're getting immunizations done before she goes to see the doc.... and then having interview right afterwards.  Can I pay for green card fee now? Or when?  Thanks

[HRQX 4,145]

39 minutes ago, jagsfl said:

How long will it take before she is able to travel outside of the U.S?

The same day she enters. Upon entry, the CBP-endorsed Immigrant Visa is a I-551 document: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs

2 minutes ago, jagsfl said:

Can I pay for green card fee now? Or when?  Thanks

After the visa is issued you can pay USCIS Immigrant Fee: https://my.uscis.gov/uscis-immigrant-fee

We strongly encourage you to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee after you pick up your immigrant visa from the Department of State and before you depart for the United States.

You may also pay the fee after you arrive in the United States. If you arrive in the United States and haven’t yet paid the USCIS Immigrant Fee, USCIS will send you a payment notice with instructions on paying your fee. You will not receive your Green Card until you have paid the USCIS Immigrant Fee.

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

1 hour ago, jagsfl said:

I'm also seeing online that it can take 120 days for her to be able to travel.

I would be curious as to where you saw this.

[HRQX 4,145]

22 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

I would be curious as to where you saw this.

Seems OP (incorrectly) thought the plastic Green card was required for travel. The timeline for GC production used to be up to 120 days. It's now 90 days: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/expect-green-card

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

7 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Seems OP (incorrectly) thought the plastic Green card was required for travel. The timeline for GC production used to be up to 120 days. It's now 90 days: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/expect-green-card

That's what I thought....but there is some wild misinformation out there......LOL.

[EA and MK 48]

1) Her passport wi be stamped with an I-551 stamp with one year validity. Her IV may also have an annotation that says that her IV serves as  temporary I-551 for up to 1 year from entering the US. Either way, once admitted, she will be an LPR and can leave the US on a short (less than 1 year) trip abroad right away. No waiting required.

 

2) If you paid the USCIS new immigrant fee PRIOR to your wife entering the US, then you will receive her green card in the mail in a few weeks from her being admitted. No extra steps are required.

 

3) She can be away for up to 1 one year, without potentially being considered having abandoned her LPR status. If longer than 1 year is expected, apply for a rentery permit. 

[PaulaCJohnny 713]

8 hours ago, jagsfl said:

How can I pay for it in advance?  Right now, we're in the part where she needs to go see the doctor. So we're getting immunizations done before she goes to see the doc.... and then having interview right afterwards.  Can I pay for green card fee now? Or when?  Thanks

After his visa is approved the Embassy will let you know (that was my case. I received a paper from the CO with my A number and DOS case ID. He told me to pay this before I arrived to the US. I did the day I received my passport back with my visa on it!.)

 

You will need to wait until she is approved  because for pay you will need the A Number and DOS

 

https://my.uscis.gov/uscis-immigrant-fee here you can get more information 

[PaulaCJohnny 713]

2 hours ago, Paula&Johnny said:

After her visa is approved the Embassy will let you know (that was my case. I received a paper from the CO with my A number and DOS case ID. He told me to pay this before I arrived to the US. I did the day I received my passport back with my visa on it!.)

 

You will need to wait until she is approved  because for pay you will need the A Number and DOS

 

https://my.uscis.gov/uscis-immigrant-fee here you can get more information 

 

[jagsfl 14]

Great info! Thanks everyone for chiming in! Fully understood now

[Ryan H 3,813]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Working & Traveling During US Immigration forum.