Visa question

[lswote]

My wife is going to visit her parents for two weeks today and we were looking at her visa stamp in her passport and I am not sure it is correct.  I thought the visa was for two years.  We were told that we have to apply for pernanent status 90 days before the visa expires but other than that I didn't think we had to interact with the INS before then.  She has already received her green card in the mail so I hadn't anticipated any reason to talk to INS before the application for permanent status, but after looking at her visa I am not sure.  Here is what the visa looks like.  I have altered the real numbers with Xs and of course I can't show underlining or spaces but you get the idea.

US IMMIGRATION
XXX MA XXXX
ADMITTED
MAR 21 2003
CLASS ____CR-1____
UNTIL ____________
20 MARCH 2005
AXX XXX XXX
PROCESSED FOR I-551
TEMPORARY EVIDENCE OF
LAWFUL ADMISSION FOR
PERMANENT RESIDENCE
VALID UNTIL _20_MAR_2004_
EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZED

So the admission date was MAR 21, 2003 and it is until 20 MARCH 2005, but then there is this remark about it being temporary evidence for permanent residence, but here the date is 20 MAR 2004. Is that date an error that should be corrected or does it mean she will need to present her green card as well after 20 MAR 2004?  Dealing with the INS directly will be a pain and I hoped to find the answer here without having to call them.

Thanks for your help.

[Pete E]

... in response to Visa question, posted by lswote on Aug 2, 2003

Bruce,
We filed the form for permanent residency right at 90 days before the 2 years was up.We recieved a one year extension in about 30 days.They told us it could take up to 11 months to consider the permanent residency.We got an appointment for an interview at the local INS 9 months later.We walked right in,seperate line for appointments.We had about a 20 miniute interview and she was aproved.They were evaluating us to see if they really though we lived together.3 albums of photos,one from the wedding convinced them.
My wife traveled to Colombia during the one year extension.She had her expired green card but also the letter granting the extension.That was good enough.
The appointment at te INS ws the only time we had to do anyhing here.Everything else was by mail.The spousal visa was easy to get when you could file directly for it in Bogota.That has changedsoo much the fiance vis is probably the way to go.At leat you wil not be seperated after you are married waiting for the spousal visa.But friends who went that route had to wait almost a year after the marriage before she got he change of status.I believe she could not work or travel for that year.

Pete

[Ray]

... in response to Visa question, posted by lswote on Aug 2, 2003

That stamp in her passport is not a visa. The CR-1 visa is a separate document and was collected from her when she entered the U.S. The visa was only for entry purposes and doesn't apply anymore since she is a permanent resident.

The I-551 stamp that you are looking at in her passport was placed there by immigration at her P.O.E. It is simply a temporary green card until the actual card arrives in the mail, hence it is good for 1 year after entry. Once she has the green card, the stamp in her passport is irrelevant. She can now travel abroad freely as a permanent resident. She should bring her passport, green card, and a copy of her marriage certificate while traveling out of the country.

The removal of conditions is a separate process. Her permanent residency is conditional for 2 years and you will need to file an I-751 within 90 days before 3/20/05. After filing, she will receive a 1-year extension on her green card while the BCIS processes the petition.

Ray

[Jeff S]

... in response to Visa question, posted by lswote on Aug 2, 2003

The green card supercedes anything stamped in the passport. With it, she may come and go as she pleases to the US, so long as it has not expired.

- Jeff

[cancunhound]

... in response to Visa question, posted by lswote on Aug 2, 2003

It's actually pink isn't it?  Was 4 years ago.  Once my wife had the card travel was no problem - when dealing with entry back into the states.  I asked the immigration officials once which line should I be in considering her status - answer: go to the US citizen line.  Be very carefull however, she still carries the Colombian passport for entry into other countries - I got stung on that going to Venezuela once (no problem just a slight change of plans when she couldn't exit the doors at Caracas).  Even for Mexico, she'll need a visa - it's free, just go to your local consulate and hit the short line.

[lswote]

... in response to Green Card = good to go, posted by cancunhound on Aug 2, 2003

n/t