Just got my GC but I have a question.

[Waiting in Vancouver 6]

Hello everyone,

I just got my new 10 year card in the mail today but I wanted to know if it was normal that the "Resident Since : XX/XX/XX" changed between my 2 year card and my 10 year card. My 2 year card says "10/31/06" and the new 10 year card says "10/31/08".

I am a little concerned because when I apply to become a citizen if they use the 2008 as my starting time then I would have to wait another 2 years before I could apply.

Have others seen this or is this an error that I need to get fixed.

[YuAndDan 153]

Infopass appointment and bring old card and new to USCIS and ask about it.

The 10 year card should show the 2006 date NOT the 2008 date.

You may have to file an I-90 to correct this error, there is no fee for correcting USCIS error.

This date effects when you can file for naturalization.

[JnJ 0]

Hello everyone,

I just got my new 10 year card in the mail today but I wanted to know if it was normal that the "Resident Since : XX/XX/XX" changed between my 2 year card and my 10 year card. My 2 year card says "10/31/06" and the new 10 year card says "10/31/08".

I am a little concerned because when I apply to become a citizen if they use the 2008 as my starting time then I would have to wait another 2 years before I could apply.

Have others seen this or is this an error that I need to get fixed.

well, i just looked at my new 10-year GC and we are on the same boat.....

now, i thought i read somewhere that the 3 year reqmt kicks is based on the date of the initial/conditional 2 year GC and not on the 10-year one. anybody who has actual experience on this?

[Waiting in Vancouver 6]

Anyone know the number we are to call to find out about this or to make an Infopass appointment.

I tried the number that was on the I-797D form that the GC was attached to because it said to call the number below but I tried to work through the menus and there was nothing in there about if you have an error on your GC.

FYI, the number on the form they supplied was 1-800-375-5283.

[YuAndDan 153]

Anyone know the number we are to call to find out about this or to make an Infopass appointment.

I tried the number that was on the I-797D form that the GC was attached to because it said to call the number below but I tried to work through the menus and there was nothing in there about if you have an error on your GC.

FYI, the number on the form they supplied was 1-800-375-5283.

This is don online: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis Link is on USCIS.GOV homepage.

[antda 13]

Hi WaitingInVancouver and JnJ,

That's odd how they would issue the both of you (funny, how they pick on Canadians this way...lol...) the new 10 year green card, but with the wrong "residence since" date on it. I guess that goes to show how the USCIS can be somewhat incompentent at times....

I haven't experienced such an issue before (heck I'm still waiting for my 10 year green card), but if I were in your shoes, this is what I would do:

-Don't bother asking the USCIS for a new corrected card, just because of a minor date error like this. Unless of course, you don't mind being without any valid green card for awhile (since you have to send the 10yr card with the error back to them), and while this correction is processing, there is no other way to prove your legal status here. And if you do request for a new corrected card, expect to wait several weeks and months for such. You've waited so long for this new 10 year green card, so why wait further for another "corrected" one, and with no guarantee that they wouldn't make the same error again, especially more so that's not your fault in the first place, then should you bother wasting more time with the USCIS dealing with such?...

-Instead, carry around both green cards (the expired 2 yr one and the 10 yr one), and when asked for a green card, present both of them, and explain that the error was on the USCIS part there, and that "the first card follow the second card" in terms of residency status. Either way, you will still have a valid 10 year green card, so they probably won't give you trouble there for an expired card, as your 10yr card is still valid. However, as for carrying around 2 green cards (even though one is already expired), you might have to inquire further about that, just in case it is not allowed...

-Also note too, that when you become a US Citizen, you will be asked to "give up/surrender" your 10 year green card. So what's the point in correcting this minor error now, when you have to give up the card soon later on anyways?. As for the US Citizenship application, yes, it does say you need the copies of your green card when applying for such. In this case, photocopy both green cards (the expired 2 yr one and the 10 yr one), and explain that the error was on the USCIS' part there and that you were a resident since the date of the first 2yr green card and not other card (and yes, they can probably verify this when they look it up in their records anyways).

Hope this helps, or at least give you another perspective on things. Good luck too, on the rest of your immigration journey too.

Ant (Still waiting at the VSC...)

Edited January 2, 2009 by AntandD

[JnJ 0]

Hi WaitingInVancouver and JnJ,

That's odd how they would issue the both of you (funny, how they pick on Canadians this way...lol...) the new 10 year green card, but with the wrong "residence since" date on it. I guess that goes to show how the USCIS can be somewhat incompentent at times....

I haven't experienced such an issue before (heck I'm still waiting for my 10 year green card), but if I were in your shoes, this is what I would do:

-Don't bother asking the USCIS for a new corrected card, just because of a minor date error like this. Unless of course, you don't mind being without any valid green card for awhile (since you have to send the 10yr card with the error back to them), and while this correction is processing, there is no other way to prove your legal status here. And if you do request for a new corrected card, expect to wait several weeks and months for such. You've waited so long for this new 10 year green card, so why wait further for another "corrected" one, and with no guarantee that they wouldn't make the same error again, especially more so that's not your fault in the first place, then should you bother wasting more time with the USCIS dealing with such?...

-Instead, carry around both green cards (the expired 2 yr one and the 10 yr one), and when asked for a green card, present both of them, and explain that the error was on the USCIS part there, and that "the first card follow the second card" in terms of residency status. Either way, you will still have a valid 10 year green card, so they probably won't give you trouble there for an expired card, as your 10yr card is still valid. However, as for carrying around 2 green cards (even though one is already expired), you might have to inquire further about that, just in case it is not allowed...

-Also note too, that when you become a US Citizen, you will be asked to "give up/surrender" your 10 year green card. So what's the point in correcting this minor error now, when you have to give up the card soon later on anyways?. As for the US Citizenship application, yes, it does say you need the copies of your green card when applying for such. In this case, photocopy both green cards (the expired 2 yr one and the 10 yr one), and explain that the error was on the USCIS' part there and that you were a resident since the date of the first 2yr green card and not other card (and yes, they can probably verify this when they look it up in their records anyways).

Hope this helps, or at least give you another perspective on things. Good luck too, on the rest of your immigration journey too.

Ant (Still waiting at the VSC...)

AntandD,

seems the canucks think a like, eh!..... i actually had no plans of having my GC "corrected". i agree with you all the way - its just too much trouble and all.

thanks for validating my thought process on this matter.

have a good one.

[daphne2109 0]

So sorry to ask a stupid question, so usually what date should be mentioned? Should be mentioned the date mentioned in the first 2 yr GC as date of residence? If it's like that it means that the 10 yr GC lasts for 8 years not for 10 years........I've got confused now!!!! Sorry I'm still in the process to receive the 10 yr GC and I'm totally confused now by this issue!!!!

Can you explain about it better? Tks!!!!!

[antda 13]

Hi Daphne2109,

That's ok, no questions are stupid. As the only question that is stupid is the question that is not asked at all. So go ahead and ask the questions that you need to/want to, and hopefully they shall be answered.

Ok, now here is the answer to your questions:

-Basically there should be two dates mentioned on the green card, a "card expires" date and a "residence since" date.

-On a 2 year green card, the two dates on it should be for a 2 year span.

For example, your card will read as follows: "card expires": 1/18/2009, "residence since": 1/18/2007

-On a 10 year green card, the two dates on it should be for a 10 year span.

For example, your card will read as follows: "card expires": 1/18/2017, "residence since": 1/18/2007

-Yes, you are right in saying that the 10 year green card is supposed to last 10 years, instead of 8 years. And that's where the OP's posts are explaining of this problem, where instead of using their "correct" residence since date for 10 years, it was "incorrect" residence since date for 8 years because they went by the date of their 2 year card expiry for the residence since date, instead of the actual residence since date which was 2 years earlier and the same as before.

For example, if your card reads as follows: "card expires": 1/18/2017, "residence since": 1/18/2009, that would be "incorrect", as this is makes it valid for 8 years instead of 10 years. And thus, this is what the OP is explaining is their problem with the dates on their 10 yr card.

Hope this helps clarify some things and makes it less confusing. And hope too, that this date mistake does not happen to you either.

Good luck with the rest of your immigration journey too.

Ant (Still waiting at the VSC, Still waiting for Baby...)

So sorry to ask a stupid question, so usually what date should be mentioned? Should be mentioned the date mentioned in the first 2 yr GC as date of residence? If it's like that it means that the 10 yr GC lasts for 8 years not for 10 years........I've got confused now!!!! Sorry I'm still in the process to receive the 10 yr GC and I'm totally confused now by this issue!!!!

Can you explain about it better? Tks!!!!!

[antda 13]

Hi JnJ,

Lol..I agree that we Canucks all think alike, eh! Lol...I guess it must be that we're all "loonie" and "twoonie" because of "queen lizzy" (oh and some Americans think Canada is the 51st US state too..lol...)...lol...By the way, since you're Canadian, feel free to join us for more Canucky fun on the "Canada" Regional Forums here on VJ too!

I agree too, that's it's just too much trouble in terms of dealing with the USCIS again for correcting an error on their part, and then having to gamble on waiting for a "corrected" replacement card. Save your trouble there, and keep your "incorrectly dated" valid 10 year card instead. You're welcome, in helping you validate your thoughts in this matter, as I would have done the same too, if I were in your situation.

By the way, if you're crossing back to Canada, I don't think you'll encounter too many problems there in terms of crossing back with an "unusual" 10 yr green card and expired 2 yr green card. As long as you have your Canadian identification (passport, birth certificate, etc.), and a valid US green card (and other US identification) you should have no problems to and from Canada and the USA. And besides, generally Canadian border guards are quite nice and friendly, and don't give any problems at all (at least from my experience anyways)....

Good luck on the rest of your immigration journey too.

Ant (Still waiting at the VSC, Still waiting for Baby...)

AntandD,

seems the canucks think a like, eh!..... i actually had no plans of having my GC "corrected". i agree with you all the way - its just too much trouble and all.

thanks for validating my thought process on this matter.

have a good one.

[Waiting in Vancouver 6]

Well I just wanted to let you know that I finally worked my way through the menus on the Mis-Information Line on the phone and was able to finally talk to a human. She told me that this was normal and that 10 year cards always show a 10 year span between these dates (I am not sure she knows what she is talking about and she is probably wrong and I am sure other VJers can attest to that) but I decided to not worry about it. She said when she looked me up on her system it was showing that I was originally approved on 10/31/06 and that I shouldn't have a problem when apply for naturalization. She also said that I would be eligible to apply on 10/31/09.

I was planning on doing the same thing, by filing my 2 year card away and when I apply for naturalization I will send a copy of my 2 year and 10 year card in case there is some questions. I don't want to carry both cards on me as I doubt that "resident Since" date really means anything except to USCIS.

[daphne2109 0]

AntandD, thanks so much for clarifying me this issue, as always you are so great in explaining everything.

I hope you are going to get your 10 yr GC soonest, and good luck for you baby!!!

Thanks again, Daphne

[antda 13]

Hi WaitinginVancouver,

Glad that you called the mis-information line and got your dilemma with the wrong date figured out.

Good luck on your citizenship application this year, and yes, when you apply for citizenship, just photocopy the 2yr green card and the 10yr green card, send both copies and let them figure out their error...

As for carrying around one green card, that's perfectly fine (and is less confusing than carrying around 2 cards anyways). As long as the 10yr green card you are carrying is valid, so be it. And yes, you're probably right in saying that the "resident since" date doesn't mean much to anyone else except to the USCIS. As long as the USCIS records are correct on their end, and if your card is scanned and shows the correct residence since date, then you shouldn't have any problems there. By the way, if you're crossing back to Canada, I don't think you'll encounter too many problems there in terms of crossing back with an "unusual" 10 yr green card. As long as you have your Canadian identification (passport, birth certificate, etc.), and a valid US green card (and other US identification) you should have no problems to and from Canada and the USA. And besides, generally Canadian border guards are quite nice and friendly, and don't give any problems at all (at least from my experience anyways)....

Good luck on the rest of your immigration journey too.

Ant (Still waiting at the VSC, Still waiting for Baby...)

Well I just wanted to let you know that I finally worked my way through the menus on the Mis-Information Line on the phone and was able to finally talk to a human. She told me that this was normal and that 10 year cards always show a 10 year span between these dates (I am not sure she knows what she is talking about and she is probably wrong and I am sure other VJers can attest to that) but I decided to not worry about it. She said when she looked me up on her system it was showing that I was originally approved on 10/31/06 and that I shouldn't have a problem when apply for naturalization. She also said that I would be eligible to apply on 10/31/09.

I was planning on doing the same thing, by filing my 2 year card away and when I apply for naturalization I will send a copy of my 2 year and 10 year card in case there is some questions. I don't want to carry both cards on me as I doubt that "resident Since" date really means anything except to USCIS.

[antda 13]

Hi Daphne2109,

You're welcome. Glad to be able to help you there, as yes, the immigration process can be confusing at times, and if we can all help one another here on VJ, that's makes it a lot easier for everyone and is overall a good thing, indeed....

Likewise, I hope you get your 10yr green card soon too. Lol...as for me, having filed at the VSC, I have another 6-7 more months to go...so it looks like "soon" is going to be "quite awhile". Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for the Baby...and yes, waiting for a Baby is sure more fun than waiting for a green card (which are supposed to happen at about the same time for me...eeekkk....see my signature below...)!

Good luck too on your immigration journey.

Ant (Still waiting at the VSC, Still waiting for the Baby...)

AntandD, thanks so much for clarifying me this issue, as always you are so great in explaining everything.

I hope you are going to get your 10 yr GC soonest, and good luck for you baby!!!

Thanks again, Daphne

Edited January 4, 2009 by AntandD