Renewal of CR-1 prior to expiry?

[thebighash 4]

Hi all,

I've just received my CR-1 Visa (DCF in UAE) and reported my experience here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/271765-our-dcf-experience-in-abu-dhabi-uae/

I have a question regarding the possibility of renewing the CR-1 or getting an extension since our planned travel date is July 2011 whereas the CR-1 is valid till Feb 2011. Is their a formal way of doing this or should I just write to the Embassy explaining our situation and reasons for this change in plan?

I tried to search this subject but didn't get any definite answer. I'd really appreciate your input

P.S. I know we can go in Feb and wait for the Green Card and then come back here to finish off and move to the US in July.. But this might not work out due to work commitments.

Thanks,

Haissam

[Darnell 8,478]

Another thing to consider -

if you do transit to USA prior to visa expiration date -

then an I-551 stamp will be placed in the passport, can be used as a temp green card up to 1 year from POE date.

ETA: No need to wait on greencard to arrive in postal mail in USA, can turn around and leave, same day ya get the stamp in passport at the POE.

Edited August 28, 2010 by Darnell

[canadian_wife 1,785]

This is a question for your consulate. They may be able to extend it, or they may say since the intention of granting the visa is for travel to the US - you should travel to the US.

If they do not extend it, take Darnell's (as always) excellent advice

Good luck

[thebighash 4]

Another thing to consider -

if you do transit to USA prior to visa expiration date -

then an I-551 stamp will be placed in the passport, can be used as a temp green card up to 1 year from POE date.

ETA: No need to wait on greencard to arrive in postal mail in USA, can turn around and leave, same day ya get the stamp in passport at the POE.

Thanks for your help, are you saying I can plan a trip to let's say Canada or somewhere and just go through the US for transit, and they'll give me an I-551 stamp valid for 1 year? Then in the meantime they'll also mail the green card to my US address?

If so this is a smart trick, hope I'm getting the point here.......

This is a question for your consulate. They may be able to extend it, or they may say since the intention of granting the visa is for travel to the US - you should travel to the US.

If they do not extend it, take Darnell's (as always) excellent advice

Good luck

Thanks, I think either way I'll ask for an extension like 1-2 months before my Visa expires. I think I'll have to find a way to convince them by showing my commitments at work here and things like that..

I'd really appreciate further input from the rest

Thanks.

[LotofPatience 65]

I'd really appreciate further input from the rest

thebighash,

If an immigrant visa has already been issued and circumstances force the alien to remain abroad longer, the applicant should contact the U.S. consulate and request an extension of the immigrant visa's validity. If the validity of an immigrant visa expires, a new one may be issued upon payment of the statutory application and issuance fees. Also, provide adequate reason why the travel is not possible before the visa expiry date.

Loto

[thebighash 4]

thebighash,

If an immigrant visa has already been issued and circumstances force the alien to remain abroad longer, the applicant should contact the U.S. consulate and request an extension of the immigrant visa's validity. If the validity of an immigrant visa expires, a new one may be issued upon payment of the statutory application and issuance fees. Also, provide adequate reason why the travel is not possible before the visa expiry date.

Loto

Thanks for your response Loto, but is this info based on facts or previous experience or.. ? Are there particular forms to be filled or methods to follow for requesting an extension or re-issuing of an expired visa?

Don't you think it's safer to request an extension prior to expiry rather than waiting for the visa to expire and going there asking for a new one?

Thanks

[canadian_wife 1,785]

Loto - this is consulate specific. He the OP should contact the consulate BEFORE the visa expires instead of playing a game with them and hoping an extension will come.

OP - do NOT wait until the visa expires. You may be stuck in UAE waitng for your spouse to file another I-130

Good luck

[LotofPatience 65]

Loto - this is consulate specific. He the OP should contact the consulate BEFORE the visa expires instead of playing a game with them and hoping an extension will come.

OP - do NOT wait until the visa expires. You may be stuck in UAE waitng for your spouse to file another I-130

Good luck

That's correct Canadian_wife.

OP, you should contact your consulate before your immigrant visa expires. If they don't extend it, you should be here in the U.S before its expiry.

Loto

[Darnell 8,478]

Thanks for your help, are you saying I can plan a trip to let's say Canada or somewhere and just go through the US for transit, and they'll give me an I-551 stamp valid for 1 year? Then in the meantime they'll also mail the green card to my US address?

If so this is a smart trick, hope I'm getting the point here.......

I think you got the point, but let me (allow me?) to shift it a bit?

DO NOT use a Canadien 'border crossing' - strongly suggest, instead, you FLY into USA. Is different 'mindset' of the Customs Border Patrol folk , comparing 'transit crossing via car' vs 'port of entry at an airport'.

Yes, regardless of 'type', I-551 stamp is put into the passport.

[thebighash 4]

thanks everyone you're all kind & your advice is helpful

any other ideas/thoughts?

[thebighash 4]

Just to update this thread, I tried to obtain an extension by writing to the US Embassy but they responded stating that Visa Extension or Renewal is not possible, and the immigrant shall enter the United States prior to expiry of the CR-1 Visa.

Now my question is, Once I enter the US prior to CR-1 expiry, do I really have to wait to obtain the Green Card by mail before leaving the country again, or is this not relevant? MY CR-1 says: "Upon endorsement serves as a temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year". So I'm assuming I can leave the US prior to receiving my GC since the endorsed CR-1 is equivalent having a GC. Is this the same as I-551 stamp on the passport?

Appreciate your help guys

[pushbrk 12,094]

Just to update this thread, I tried to obtain an extension by writing to the US Embassy but they responded stating that Visa Extension or Renewal is not possible, and the immigrant shall enter the United States prior to expiry of the CR-1 Visa.

Now my question is, Once I enter the US prior to CR-1 expiry, do I really have to wait to obtain the Green Card by mail before leaving the country again, or is this not relevant? MY CR-1 says: "Upon endorsement serves as a temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year". So I'm assuming I can leave the US prior to receiving my GC since the endorsed CR-1 is equivalent having a GC. Is this the same as I-551 stamp on the passport?

Appreciate your help guys

No, you do not have to wait. You were told that in the first response in this thread. You will need a reliable address for the green card to be received by mail in the USA though. It could be a friend or family member.

[thebighash 4]

No, you do not have to wait. You were told that in the first response in this thread. You will need a reliable address for the green card to be received by mail in the USA though. It could be a friend or family member.

Thanks for your response, that's what I'll do.