dez93_2000

So THAT'S the difference between an IR1 & a CR1, thanks mimo!
And cheers for the tip bdrew, I'll find out what an I-797 is and make sure I have it
[edit: right, so that's the "CR1/IR1 process officially started" letter we'll get from the USCIS after applying for the CR1/IR1, so I won't have that until after I apply in November]
Thanks both!

Parts--
1) Petition at USCIS approved. Sent to NVC
2) NVC- forms, documents, fees, and a few months processing. When "case complete" , meaning all the processing is done, the NVC will assign your date to appear in Dublin. You should have a month's notice. Get back to Dublin in time for a medical exam and the interview.
3) Dublin has the file from NVC. The get the medical report from the panel physician. You Interview. They keep passport to stick the visa in. A week later (?) the visa/passport is couriered (or mailed ) to your home in Dublin. Not sure if Dublin uses a courier service or mail. There will also be a packet containing all your case file that you will turn over, unopened, to immigration when you enter the US on your visa.

I seem to remember seeing a 2 week lag or so.
Edit: Oh, scratch that. You know what? I am thinking of London. I am not sure how they do it in Ireland or how long it takes.

You will have restrictions on you and you cannot come and go exactly as you please. But your plan will be fine.
http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/maintaining-permanent-residence

The Cr-1 process will not be approved when you are in the US, unless say, you hop on a plane directly after your interview. Either way, you need the physical visa to become a LPR. After your interview, you will ned to wait for the visa to be sent to you via post, then you will travel to the US and entering the US will trigger your LPR status.
Coming up to your interview you will have a medical exam and things, so there is work to be done at home to ready for the interview.
If you reside in Ireland, not NI, then yes, you will be interviewed in Dublin.

I visited my husband in July for 2 weeks, got married in the second week then flew home. When I got to the POE and was asked my purpose for entering, I said "to visit my boyfriend for 2 weeks". I was stamped in right away (after the officer stared at his screen looking suicidal for a few moments o.o)
VWP is handy when there is no grilling

We didn't mention this before, but because you are residing in Ireland, you will interview and have the medical in Dublin and not in London, United Kingdom. Some people think they must get the visa from the country of their passport.

So THAT'S the difference between an IR1 & a CR1, thanks mimo!
And cheers for the tip bdrew, I'll find out what an I-797 is and make sure I have it
[edit: right, so that's the "CR1/IR1 process officially started" letter we'll get from the USCIS after applying for the CR1/IR1, so I won't have that until after I apply in November]
Thanks both!

http://www.visajourney.com/content/ir1cr1historical
Some graphs based on VJ timelines to show you how the time has varied to get the petition approved since Sept 2012. Different service centers work faster. Then they slow down and another gets fast. Or the slow one transfers a batch to the fast one, but those files seem to fall in a black hole and get forgotten. I've seen all the woes as well as the lucky ones. Changes all the time.
That's just the first part. Then several months at NVC. Then the embassy part. Immigration is not comfortable for a control freak.
Dudette

Here's a thread called YES, YOU CAN VISIT. Browse it for stories http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/67796-yes-you-can-visit/
What the embassy in London says in their FAQs http://london.usembassy.gov/faq-imm-proc.html#iv038
Spouses and fiance's visit successfully all the time. Many are never questioned...just stamped through like the times you have already visited. You are advised to have a return ticket and bring proof of ties to you country in the event you were questioned further of your intent to return home. There are never any 100% guarantees anybody gets in.
If you enter on CR1, you don't do biometrics or interview. You are confusing with the K visas who adjust status. Their adjustment of status includes new applications, proofs, biometrics and interview before they get approved for a greencard. A CR1 has all that greencard stuff processed at National Visa Center before the visa is issued. That's why it takes a little longer. Very abbreviated summary of steps--

Petition approval at USCIS
Processing of Documents at NVC
Visa Interview at foreign consulate/embassy
A CR1 is a greencard holder when they get off the plane and present the CR1 visa at the immigration desk. Instant. Two years comment--
If married 2 years, then the greencard that comes in the mail is a 10 year card.
If newly married, the greencard is valid for 2 years. It must be renewed prior to expiration. That will require biometrics, but an interview is extremely rare. But that is going to be at least two years after your initial immigration entry.

My visits have gone like this:
Adam lives in Derby, England. I, Michele, live in Detroit MI. We filed our I-129F April 12, 2007.
November 3, 2006 - November 13, 2006:
Adam visits me for the first time. He entered at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and was asked simply his reason for visit (visit a friend), where he was staying (hotel), length of visit (ten days), and to see his itinerary showing his flight back home. No proof of ties to England requested. Welcome to America.
January 3, 2007 - January 22, 2007
Adam visits for second time, entering again at Detroit, MI. Asked same questions, answered 'reason for visit' this time as 'to be with my girlfriend' and was told he can't marry me while he's here, that would be a violation. Adam assures officer he won't. Asked how he could afford to visit again so soon, replied 'using student loan money'. No proof of ties to England requested. Welcome to America.
February 13, 2007 - February 20, 2007.
Michele goes to England. Depart Detroit, arrive at Gatwick, UK. Asked reason for visit (visit boyfriend), length of visit (one week), and where I'd be staying (hotel). I too was told sternly I couldn't marry Adam while I was there. Promised I wouldn't. No proof of anything requested. Welcome to England!
February 21, 2007 - Current (Adam will leave May 20, 2007)
Adam arrives at Detroit MI. Was asked usual 'reason for visit, length of visit' questions. Answered 'to see girlfriend, 3 months'. Was asked about his employment and housing in England, answered that he left his job but it was being held for when he gets back, and that he lives with his mother. Officer apparently thinks something fishy, converses with several other officers, Adam ends up in 'interview room'. Was asked same questions, answered same truthfully. Was asked to describe Michele, how we met, what Michele does for a living. Customs calls Michele at work and asks if Michele knows Adam, what is relationship to him, etc. Answered yes, he's my boyfriend. Call ends. Luggage searched, and laptop plugged in to read emails we've sent back and forth. Officers satisifed we knew each other. Passport stamped, approved for full three month visit. Was advised again not to get married while here (yeah, we know!) Side note, as Adam was leaving, one guard asked the other "so that guy is okay?" Other guard answers, "yeah, he's just in love." No "proof" of ties was requested. Questions were asked, but no paper produced. Welcome to America.

You can visit the US on VWP. Nothing says a visa application prevents that. If you go too often and stay too long, the officer can turn you away if he thinks you are over-using VWP or thinks you might not leave. It is a subjective decision. Proof of studies to go back to is a good tie to home to help assure you do plan to leave. A K3 visa is not for visiting. It is very much like a K1 except you are already married. And they rarely issue those so nothing you could count on. You still have to apply for a greencard. But a K3 does have multiple entry use, so I didn't do that correctly above when I did the copy/paste of the K1. You do not need an AP travel card if you were to actually get a K3.

You wrote more than I can respond to now, but I think you basically have some things mixed up.
K1 is for in single folks. Timing varies and could swing drastically by the time you are ready to come. Don't believe any specific time given you on visas or greencards!
With K1 visa you --
enter the US
Get married
File for a greencard along with work authorization and advanced parole travel document/card.
Travel document issued in 60-90 days (a stable timeline you can expect)
Then you may leave and return using the travel doc while you await greencard.
K3 is for married folks. It is rare to get that anymore.
With K3 visa you --
enter the US
File for a greencard along with work authorization and advanced parole travel document.
Travel document issued in 60-90 days (a stable timeline you can expect)
Then you may leave and return using the travel doc while you await
CR1 is a true immigrant visa for married folks.
With CR1 visa you --
enter the US
Your passport is endorsed with an I-551 meaning you are a permantent resident the day you enter. It is a "greencard" in your passport.
In a few weeks the card type greencard will arrive.
You could turn around and leave the US the day after arrival, before the card, because your passport has been marked I-551 and that would get you back in just like the card version.
Perhaps you already understood the differences, but your post rambles and I lost the plot of what you were saying/asking.