xxxBananaManxxx

Thanks for the support TedsGirl...  Ultimately it is challenging to understand the process of US immigration (although at least considerations and ideas from others is readily available through forums like this one).  Ultimately, it is helpful if you can navigate the process, and hopefully identify ways to avoid future issues.

Dealying our immigration (albeit marginally) will assist us in not having to migrate from a CR1 to IR1 in the future.  This will save a reasonable amount of effort as well as a reasonable amount of money.  Ultimately the determination regarding CR1/IR1 is supposed to be based on the timing of entry into the USA, however we felt that if we secure our GC approval around the time of our 2nd anniversary, we would clearly be aiming at ensuring we go straight onto an IR1 and maximise the time available to plan our departure from Australia (following the approval of our GC).

Appreciate your kind words of support and hope your immigration process goes off without a hitch.