Noorah101

If he enters the POE and activates his Immigrant Visa *after* your second wedding anniversary, he *should* be admitted as IR-1 (no conditions, 10-year green card right away).

He should watch carefully what they stamp on his passport, and if it's CR-1, he should gently and politely let them know he's been married over 2 years (have marriage certificate handy for proof), and very nicely ask for the IR class instead.

Rene

meauxna

I want to underscore Rene's reply to this.. it is not necessarily automagic, but you want your spouse to be admitted correctly.

If he is not admitted as an IR, you can't go to USCIS to fix it, you have to go back to a CBP office, wherever you can find one and it's no guarantee of success even then.

devoted2him3

Thank you both for the quick replies! I guess it doesn't matter either way but it'd be nice to not have anymore paperwork!!

meauxna

It matters $500 worth!

If admitted as a CR-1, his residency has 'conditions' attached to it. This requires filing form I-751 about 2 years after he arrives and sending a boatload of evidence, plus your hard-earned $$$.

If admitted as IR-1, he does nothing for 10 years (and then renews his GC) or applies for naturalization and gets a blue passport instead.

Noorah101

It kind of does matter, if you want to save time and money in 2 years, as meauxna points out.

Definitely worth making sure he gets the right classification upon entry at the POE!

Rene

devoted2him3

Yikes Better make sure they get it right first time then! Thank you again for your help

mr_bluth

One further update - I got a call at 7.45am this morning from a friendly courier who then appeared at my door 5 minutes later to hand me the most exciting package I've ever received!

The visa looks amazingly cool and there's also a brochure welcoming me to the USA - love it

And before anyone panics, no I didn't open the manila envelope that comes with it

I fly tomorrow!

janet82

What if you have? I have a police certificate from Bahrain as I lived there for two and a half years and thought that's all I needed. If anyone knows of anything else required, please tell me before July 11th!

devoted2him3

We know exactly how you're feeling Mr Blue! Congratulations! Where are you going to be moving to?

ian-mstm

That is all you need... at least, for the time you spent in Bahrain.

Ian

Noorah101

That's all you need.

Rene

meauxna

My guess is, mr_bluth did not have any foreign police certificates when he presented his documents. The worker asked him if he had lived outside his country for 6+ months (if he had, see, he would have needed the police certificate). When he answered 'no', that was the end of the story.

Why do you think you need something else? Freaking out?

mr_bluth

The beautiful surrounds of Montana can't wait, less than 24 hours to go now... I really will shut up about it now though, promise

meauxna

I kid you not... google montana weather and look what comes up today.

We're callling it freakin' Juneuary out here.. 6" of freakin' snow HERE last night!

The ski resorts are loving it, but I notice that the Solstice is already here Friday!!!
At least you'll have your love to keep you warm...
(and chop some damn wood for the stove!)

BritishGuy36

I thought the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere was always June 21st.