How long to get a response - and first time travelling?

[FormerBrit 0]

Hello,

I have two small questions...

I know I am writing this a bit ahead of time. I got my conditional green card in September 2006. I was just wondering, since you have to apply for the 10-year green card 3 months before the conditional one expires, how long does it normally take to get the permananet resident card? Do you normally get it within the 90 day period? What happens if you don't? I will lose my driving license since this expires the same day as my conditional green card....

Also, this summer I am planning to travel for the first time out of the USA since arriving here on the K1....I'm kinda nervous! What do I need to take with me - just the passport and green card, or all the other visa documents too?

Many thanks,

Kiki

[gag54611 1]

Sorry, can't answer your first question.

As for the 2nd question, all you need is the green card and your passport. Absolutely no worries. Nothing else needed. My wife has done this 3 times now with her conditional green card. And, because you are a permanent resident, when you come back through passport control, very often permanent residents can use the same line as citizens. Check the signs. It can save you a lot of time if you're coming in through a busy airport!!

Best of luck,

G

[alohaspirit 0]

I got my conditional green card in September 2006. I was just wondering, since you have to apply for the 10-year green card 3 months before the conditional one expires, how long does it normally take to get the permananet resident card? Do you normally get it within the 90 day period? What happens if you don't? I will lose my driving license since this expires the same day as my conditional green card....

Also, this summer I am planning to travel for the first time out of the USA since arriving here on the K1....I'm kinda nervous! What do I need to take with me - just the passport and green card, or all the other visa documents too?

When you apply for a 10 year green card within the 90 days before your conditional green card expires. Since your green card will expire on Sept 2008, you would file sometime in between June 2008 to Sept. You probably will receive the green card in about 2-4 months.

When you send off the I-751 package to USCIS, just like any other petitions, you will get a NOA. This NOA is a special document (which extends your current green card for 1 year) will allow you to work or continue working and traveling.

There is another NOA which is the biometrics appt letter (in about a week later). You must appear for finger printing and photo.

Edited May 4, 2007 by alohaspirit

[FormerBrit 0]

Thank you for your replies!

[tammiandtom 0]

when you come back through passport control, very often permanent residents can use the same line as citizens. Check the signs. It can save you a lot of time if you're coming in through a busy airport!!

Really? Anyone know if this can be done at Newark?

As far as the original poster's first question, it varies! Our service center sucks and it takes more than 6 months to get the new card.

[payxibka 10,045]

when you come back through passport control, very often permanent residents can use the same line as citizens. Check the signs. It can save you a lot of time if you're coming in through a busy airport!!

Really? Anyone know if this can be done at Newark?

Every POE I have transited has the same or similiar signage... One for USCs/LPRs and the other for visitors/non-residents.

Edited May 4, 2007 by fwaguy