> Thank you for all for your replies. I'm expecting the 2 hour
> treatment as I had a previous problem on another visa, but hopefully
> it will all go smoothly.
>
> FYI-It is a IR-1 visa I have, my other half is USC and we have been
> married for nearly 3 years.
If you are holding an IR-1 visa, your previous "issues" should have
already been addressed and worked out.
There is a very detailed thread here
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=33984 where the
entry process is discussed.
Since I wrote this part, I'll include it here. If you have been married
+2 years, disregard the Conditional Resident part.
Visa in passport, go to the airport. Staffers there may want to examine
the visa at check-in, so leave enough time. HINT: do not lock your
luggage, and if connecting in the US remember that your bags may be
opened and hand searched/tossed. This is not unique to immigrants, but
ours got trashed on our move back from Greece and several precious
things were broken. When I came back from Asia just now, I came thru SFO--
big enough airport for an xray machine and my bags were not disturbed,
but not all have them. (edit to add: I just traveled within the US and
did find the "your bags have been searched" notice, but nothing was
trashed this time. I do pack almost everything in seethru plastic bags)
Anyway, when you get to the US you will be hand-carrying the Mysterious
Brown Envelope that the Consulate gave you. DO NOT OPEN. It's just all
your visa paperwork. At Immigration, be holding the envelope out visible
to the officers. Go to a visitor's line, unless otherwise directed by an
officer. At the first desk, they will take the envelope away and direct
you to Secondary Inspection. Officers here may be armed, do not be
alarmed. Take a number (like the bakery) if it's an option and wait.
Usually the whole thing takes 15 minutes, but there may be others ahead
of you in line.
In Secondary, info will be entered into the computer and a few random
questions may come out (how long married, where are you going etc).
You'll give a fingerprint and autograph (for the Green Card) and the
visa will be stamped aka endorsed. Hopefully someone will tell you
"Welcome to America" as they give you (maybe) instructions about
removing conditions in 2 years.
After that, you are a Permanent Resident! The Green Card and Social
Security card will be mailed to him within 4 weeks. Until you get the
Green Card, the endorsed visa is EXACTLY THE SAME THING.
http://uscis.gov/graphics/citizenship/imm_guide.htm
http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/PermRes.htm
http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/remcond.htm
The above links are hand info to have to hand; add them to your growing
bookmarks!
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