What do we do now?

[poetrywriter 0]

I mailed in the I-751 to the USCIS in Vermont on Thursday and they received it on Saterday, 8-9-08 through certified mail( I guess the office must be open on weekends because someone had to sign for it). My husband's greencard will expire soon and I'm worried that we don't get the first NOA before it expires. I know they received our application because we have the proof of it but no NOA yet. What happens if you haven't received your first NOA before your greencard expires? Do we have to wait before we make an info appointment? I'm getting worried because his greencard expires soon. Any advice?

[1HappyGuy 45]

The NOA1 usually takes about two weeks, so just wait. This is an important letter so take care of it. It is the acknowledgement of the application but more importantly, it is the extension letter for his permanent status. You will receive another letter regarding the biometrics appointment. This letter will follow usually about a week later. This is the letter that has your new case number for email notification. Get signed up as soon as you can.

The number on the NOA1 is for their internal use only and has no significance on the internet, so don't bother trying to find it with that number.

Best of luck in your wait.

[*JG* 2]

I mailed mine to CSC on Wednesday.

Buckle down and wait. Hang in there. This is the easy part.

[usuklove 0]

poetrywriter, how long until the Green Card does expire?

[AussieDude 0]

Don't worry too much about the expired green card. Unless your husband plans to travel internationally, you'll be fine.

[NickD 203]

They strongly recommend 90 days before the green card expires, can bring your proof in that you have sent it in along with either two passport photos or his current valid passport for either a I-94 or a I-551 stamp with an infopass appointment.

I have read two nasty things about having an expired green card and not sure which one applies, the first was you are not allowed to work or travel, but still can stay here, the second was, you can be subjected to removal. With that in mind, typed a page with large red letters, SEND IN THE I-751 ON MAR 27, 2007 and taped that to our refrigerator door. Was up there for 21 months.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Once you submit your I-751 and it has been accepted, your green card status is extended and you are still allowed to work and to travel. Your green card is still valid until the date it expires and you can use that as proof of your status. The NOA letter or the I-551 stamp is your 'proof' that you are still in status after your green card expires. You are supposed to carry your proof with you the same as you are expected to have your green card in your possession at all times, but you are still allowed to work and you are not going to be deported even though your green card has expired. If you travel, however, you will have difficulties getting back into the US unless you have that 'proof'.

So, wait a reasonable amount of time - generally 30 days - and if you don't have your NOA letter by that time you could consider making an appointment with your local USCIS office to get the I-551 stamp in your passport if your green card has expired. If your greencard is still valid, then give it more time and don't worry about getting the passport stamp until your greencard is about to expire and you still haven't received the NOA1. I suspect you will get your NOA letter very soon. Don't worry - you are fine.

Edited August 11, 2008 by Kathryn41

[poetrywriter 0]

Once you submit your I-751 and it has been accepted, your green card status is extended and you are still allowed to work and to travel. Your green card is still valid until the date it expires and you can use that as proof of your status. The NOA letter or the I-551 stamp is your 'proof' that you are still in status after your green card expires. You are supposed to carry your proof with you the same as you are expected to have your green card in your possession at all times, but you are still allowed to work and you are not going to be deported even though your green card has expired. If you travel, however, you will have difficulties getting back into the US unless you have that 'proof'.

So, wait a reasonable amount of time - generally 30 days - and if you don't have your NOA letter by that time you could consider making an appointment with your local USCIS office to get the I-551 stamp in your passport if your green card has expired. If your greencard is still valid, then give it more time and don't worry about getting the passport stamp until your greencard is about to expire and you still haven't received the NOA1. I suspect you will get your NOA letter very soon. Don't worry - you are fine.

It expires in about 3 weeks. I know they have recieved the application because when I mailed off the I-751, I mailed it by certified mail. I just hope I get the NOA before the greencard expires. The only we didn't mail it sooner is because we had to save up for the money for the application.

[*JG* 2]

Once you submit your I-751 and it has been accepted, your green card status is extended and you are still allowed to work and to travel. Your green card is still valid until the date it expires and you can use that as proof of your status. The NOA letter or the I-551 stamp is your 'proof' that you are still in status after your green card expires. You are supposed to carry your proof with you the same as you are expected to have your green card in your possession at all times, but you are still allowed to work and you are not going to be deported even though your green card has expired. If you travel, however, you will have difficulties getting back into the US unless you have that 'proof'.

So, wait a reasonable amount of time - generally 30 days - and if you don't have your NOA letter by that time you could consider making an appointment with your local USCIS office to get the I-551 stamp in your passport if your green card has expired. If your greencard is still valid, then give it more time and don't worry about getting the passport stamp until your greencard is about to expire and you still haven't received the NOA1. I suspect you will get your NOA letter very soon. Don't worry - you are fine.

It expires in about 3 weeks. I know they have recieved the application because when I mailed off the I-751, I mailed it by certified mail. I just hope I get the NOA before the greencard expires. The only we didn't mail it sooner is because we had to save up for the money for the application.

If not, just print out what you can as proof and make an infopass appointment for a stamp.

[poetrywriter 0]

Once you submit your I-751 and it has been accepted, your green card status is extended and you are still allowed to work and to travel. Your green card is still valid until the date it expires and you can use that as proof of your status. The NOA letter or the I-551 stamp is your 'proof' that you are still in status after your green card expires. You are supposed to carry your proof with you the same as you are expected to have your green card in your possession at all times, but you are still allowed to work and you are not going to be deported even though your green card has expired. If you travel, however, you will have difficulties getting back into the US unless you have that 'proof'.

So, wait a reasonable amount of time - generally 30 days - and if you don't have your NOA letter by that time you could consider making an appointment with your local USCIS office to get the I-551 stamp in your passport if your green card has expired. If your greencard is still valid, then give it more time and don't worry about getting the passport stamp until your greencard is about to expire and you still haven't received the NOA1. I suspect you will get your NOA letter very soon. Don't worry - you are fine.

If the greencard expires before we get the NOA, will my husband have to quit working until he recieves the NOA?

It expires in about 3 weeks. I know they have recieved the application because when I mailed off the I-751, I mailed it by certified mail. I just hope I get the NOA before the greencard expires. The only we didn't mail it sooner is because we had to save up for the money for the application.