Can SB-1 visa be used to travel in and out of the US while waiting for LPR card?

[igorya]

A person got an SB-1 visa and returned to the US. Can he use his SB-1 visa to travel in and out of the US while waiting for his LPR card?

[newacct]

If the visa has the text on it that says "upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year", then the immigrant visa turned into an I-551, equivalent to a green card, until 1 year after your date of entry. And that I-551 can be used just like a green card for work and/or re-entry during that 1 year for an unlimited number of times.

[samcmurr]

How certain are you of this? My wife just entered on the SB-1 visa, but the procedures post US entry are very nebulous at best. Supposedly they are to send a new green card within 2 - 3 weeks, typically but after 3 weeks USCIS hasn't a clue what is going on. Our lawyer still believes the card will eventually come, but we need to travel back to overseas in the meantime if possible, as I am missing work starting next week.