Luke73

Hi all,
I'm new here

I am a UK citizen who is married to a US citizen and have been for 9 years, living in the UK but we are planning to move to the U.S in the coming years (not sure when). In order to be efficient with our time, I am planning on starting the application and get my visa before we decide to move so when we are ready we can just go, rather then start the process and have to wait.

I understand the visa process, I just have a few questions about the visa pack. If I am successful with application I will receive a visa pack to be handed over on arrival. Does anyone know how long these visa packs are valid for? Secondly if I receive my visa pack before we are ready to move but travel to the US to visit family, can I entre on the visa and "activate" the visa/green card process; once I leave at the end of my visit will this effect the visa/green card?

I hope that makes sense, thanks in advance

Luke

RICH

Good question. I assume you are applying for CR1 visa which I have no experience. How long it takes to be approved is anyones guess these days, but how long it is valid once approved is potentially finite. I am sure someone will be able to answer in more detail!.

Luke73

Thanks for your response, theCR1 visa is for applicants married less then two year, as we have been married for 9 years it would be an IR1 visa.

SanDiegogirl

When should I travel?

You must arrive in and apply for admission to the United States no later than the visa expiration date printed on your visa. An immigrant visa is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance unless your medical examination expires sooner, which may make your visa valid for less than six months.

As per: https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...%20your%20visa.

RICH

Tricky.not knowing when the application will be accepted, but needing to move within 6 months. Reminds me of my own immigration experience. Good luck!

Noorah101

You have 6 months to enter the USA once you have the IR-1 visa in hand. You can enter to USA to become a US PR, and you can go back to the UK for a short while (i.e. a few months) to finalize your move. But once you become a US PR, the USA is considered to be your permanent home, and any visits back to the UK must be able to be proven to be temporary in nature, if asked. And yes, lengthy or frequent trips outside the USA could possibly jeopardize your PR status.

I would wait until about a year before you know you want to move, and file the I-130 then.

Rene

S Folinsky

As a professional pet peeve, I disagree with common misuse of the term “activate” for that initial admission as an immigrant. An immigrant visa is a single use visa. It is active upon issuance by the consulate and remains active until expiry or that one use.

That said, the the mother case addressing your questions is Matter of Huang.

Luke73

Hi all,

Thank you for your input, it is much appreciated.

Pulaski

I thought the physical packet that has to be carried by the immigrant and handed over upon arrival had been discontinued? .... You still only have six months though from the date of issuance though.