travel with about to expire I-751

[getz1501 0]

I must be the biggest dunce on the planet.I was going to apply for I-751 3 weeks ago but saw that it costs a lot,so decided to wait till after I got back from a trip abroad and then file.

Then a friend tells me yesterday that I have to file 90 days before the expiry date!Now I am 2 weeks late.I filed the papers today,sent them by overnight delivery,explanation and all.

The thing is that we had planned a trip abroad for my brother's wedding and we are leaving in 4 days!I will be back in 2 weeks.My conditional GC expires 2 1/2 months from now.Is it wise to travel?or should I wait for some receipt from USCIS?Will I be asked at the port of entry to provide documentation to prove that I filed I-751?I keep reading about deportation everywhere and as the father of a 5 month old(she & my wife r citizens) ,it scares the hell out of me.

Any advise will be very valuable.

Thanks in advance

[Otto 83]

I must be the biggest dunce on the planet.I was going to apply for I-751 3 weeks ago but saw that it costs a lot,so decided to wait till after I got back from a trip abroad and then file.

Then a friend tells me yesterday that I have to file 90 days before the expiry date!Now I am 2 weeks late.I filed the papers today,sent them by overnight delivery,explanation and all.

Your friend is either incorrect or you misunderstood. You CAN file no sooner than 90-days before your PR/Green Card expires but you can file any time between that 90-days and when your PR/Green Card expires. You HAVE to file before it expires though.

The thing is that we had planned a trip abroad for my brother's wedding and we are leaving in 4 days!I will be back in 2 weeks.My conditional GC expires 2 1/2 months from now.Is it wise to travel?or should I wait for some receipt from USCIS?Will I be asked at the port of entry to provide documentation to prove that I filed I-751?I keep reading about deportation everywhere and as the father of a 5 month old(she & my wife r citizens) ,it scares the hell out of me.

You know - you can file now (while you're on your trip) if you like but I've seen/heard-of folks traveling back into the US with only days remaining on their PR/Green Card who had no trouble.

What you do is up to you - but as far as being late - right now you're not late in filing.

[payxibka 10,045]

I must be the biggest dunce on the planet.I was going to apply for I-751 3 weeks ago but saw that it costs a lot,so decided to wait till after I got back from a trip abroad and then file.

Then a friend tells me yesterday that I have to file 90 days before the expiry date!Now I am 2 weeks late.I filed the papers today,sent them by overnight delivery,explanation and all.

The thing is that we had planned a trip abroad for my brother's wedding and we are leaving in 4 days!I will be back in 2 weeks.My conditional GC expires 2 1/2 months from now.Is it wise to travel?or should I wait for some receipt from USCIS?Will I be asked at the port of entry to provide documentation to prove that I filed I-751?I keep reading about deportation everywhere and as the father of a 5 month old(she & my wife r citizens) ,it scares the hell out of me.

Any advise will be very valuable.

Thanks in advance

It is not a definitive filing date but a filing "window"... The application window is anytime from 90 days before the expiration date up to the actual expiration date

Edited November 17, 2009 by payxibka

[rebeccajo 14]

I must be the biggest dunce on the planet.I was going to apply for I-751 3 weeks ago but saw that it costs a lot,so decided to wait till after I got back from a trip abroad and then file.

Then a friend tells me yesterday that I have to file 90 days before the expiry date!Now I am 2 weeks late.I filed the papers today,sent them by overnight delivery,explanation and all.

The thing is that we had planned a trip abroad for my brother's wedding and we are leaving in 4 days!I will be back in 2 weeks.My conditional GC expires 2 1/2 months from now.Is it wise to travel?or should I wait for some receipt from USCIS?Will I be asked at the port of entry to provide documentation to prove that I filed I-751?I keep reading about deportation everywhere and as the father of a 5 month old(she & my wife r citizens) ,it scares the hell out of me.

Any advise will be very valuable.

Thanks in advance

My husband's conditional greencard expired April 27, 2009.

We mailed his ROC paperwork on January 29, 2009. He received the I797 notice of action and the extension letter in early February, 2009.

We left the US for a trip abroad on March 24, 2009 and returned on April 2, 2009. That was a LOT closer in to the expiry date of my husband's conditional card than your situation. We carried the NOA and the extension letter with us on the journey in case a question came up about the imminent expiry of his greencard. Your timeframe doesn't allow you to wait on these documents, but........

Nobody even batted an eyelash at my husband's 'almost stale' card. No mention was made of it at all. They just looked at his greencard, stamped his passport, and waved him on through.

Edited November 17, 2009 by rebeccajo

[Coco&Kitten 42]

I must be the biggest dunce on the planet.I was going to apply for I-751 3 weeks ago but saw that it costs a lot,so decided to wait till after I got back from a trip abroad and then file.

Then a friend tells me yesterday that I have to file 90 days before the expiry date!Now I am 2 weeks late.I filed the papers today,sent them by overnight delivery,explanation and all.

The thing is that we had planned a trip abroad for my brother's wedding and we are leaving in 4 days!I will be back in 2 weeks.My conditional GC expires 2 1/2 months from now.Is it wise to travel?or should I wait for some receipt from USCIS?Will I be asked at the port of entry to provide documentation to prove that I filed I-751?I keep reading about deportation everywhere and as the father of a 5 month old(she & my wife r citizens) ,it scares the hell out of me.

Any advise will be very valuable.

Thanks in advance

Don't worry, I did the same as you. I waited a little bit more than the 90 days (I filed exactly 2 months before expiration of the GC), and then I travel outside the country while they were processing the I-751. I got my biometrics appointment and I was not here, but it was easy to re-schedule it and get a new appointment. When I entered the US they did not question anything since the GC was still valid. I do not think you will have any problem. Just make sure somebody can check the mail for you, specially for the bio appointment, in case you need to re-schedule it.

[getz1501 0]

Thank you everyone.Everyone has been so positive.It's a big encouragement.After losing some weight worriying ,I have decided to go on the trip and ask someone to check my mail regularly and send me the receipt.