Lifting of Conditions Question

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Ok..I just read.again..the section 7 of the FAQs. We're still more than a year from filing to lift conditions, but I still have a question:

Does this mean that even if we file on the first day we are eligible, that there is a good chance Craig won't be able to work again?? That if he gets established in a job, he will then have to quit?? I read where it says you get a stamp from the local office....and it's good for one year for work (travel as well?) but it says after approval of this petition to lift conditions. Are they *normally* approved within the 90 day time frame? If not, like most other things USCIS related, that's pretty messed up!!!

Thanks...M.

[newinthenewworld 0]

YOu do not need to worry - there is no interuption in status. You can file 30, 60 or 89 days before your card experies. Within 7-8 days you will get a letter that extends your card for 1 year. You will get a new (10 year) card in less than 1 year (depending on the center - look USCIS website). You are authorized to work and travel with experied card and that letter that says it is extended for 1 year.

[diadromous mermaid 36]

Ok..I just read.again..the section 7 of the FAQs. We're still more than a year from filing to lift conditions, but I still have a question:

Does this mean that even if we file on the first day we are eligible, that there is a good chance Craig won't be able to work again?? That if he gets established in a job, he will then have to quit?? I read where it says you get a stamp from the local office....and it's good for one year for work (travel as well?) but it says after approval of this petition to lift conditions. Are they *normally* approved within the 90 day time frame? If not, like most other things USCIS related, that's pretty messed up!!!

Thanks...M.

Section 7 of the FAQ is fairly comprehensive, but the wording could be improved. I can see that your confusion arose from this passage:

"When your two-year green card expires you no longer have status as a permanent resident, you are not authorized to work, and technically, you are deportable. You must allow yourself and the USCIS (INS) the maximum amount of time to get the petition approved."

I'd recommend it should be corrected to state:

If you allow your two-year conditional green card to expire before submitting the I-751 petition to request removal of the "conditions" on your residency and receiving written notification of its receipt from USCIS, you will fall out of status, will lose authorization to work and will be subject to removal. Submitting the I-751 90 days prior to the expiry date on your conditional green card (and not earlier) gives USCIS sufficient time to process your submission and issue a NOA extending your current expired card and your employment authorization for an additional year, while your petition to remove conditions is pending adjudication.

Edited April 29, 2006 by diadromous mermaid

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Very good. All is well then...and you're right Mermaid, that is the EXACT passage that caused the confusion. Thanks to you both for clearing that up; I feel much better now! M.

[jenmn 0]

Here's how the whole thing went for us. My husband is from the Czech Republic and we live in Minnesota and filed at Nebraska.

Sent I751 on Jan 21, 2006

Recieved 1 year extension Jan 26th, 2006

Recieved yellow letter requesting 2 year green card Feb 9th, 2006

Mailed green card Feb 11th, 2006

(conditional green card expired March 18th 2006)

Recieved 10 year green card May 1st, 2006

We sent lots of "proof" probably way more than needed, but we wanted to be safe. And it paid off we were approved in a very short time (I think)

Hope this helps.