When should I get my Green Card?

[Psycholady 0]

I had my Green Card interview yesterday and the interviewer said that my case was sent for approval and I am a permanent resident and I should receive my card in 2 - 4 weeks. He took my travel permit because he said that I can't use it since it is no longer applicable to me.

The problem is that my husband and I booked plane tickets to England for March 14th (2 weeks 5 days after interview date) I told the interviewer this and gave him our plane ticket interary as proof. I asked him if I should receive my card in time for our trip and he said "You should do"

Do you think I should get my Green Card in time?

Please tell me your experiences... When did you receive your Welcome Letter etc? Did it have the Green Card number on it? Do I need a Green Card to leave the U.S or just to enter it?

Help

[YuAndDan 153]

Did you get an I-551 stamp in your passport at the interview? If so your passport will act as a green-card. If not and you have not received the card then schedule an info-pass appointment and get the stamp in your passport, a week or so befor your trip.

[KIMCORENE 0]

You could have requested that he stamp your passport with the temporary I-1551 stamp- which is proof of your approval and would have enabled you to travel. I would advise to make an Infopass appt. a week before your travel date and request this stamp, as you may not receive the physical card in time.

[Psycholady 0]

No I didn't get an I-1551 stamp at the interview. I didn't know you could request one. I told the interviewer that I was leaving for england in just over 2 weeks and he didn't offer me that stamp or anything. You would have thought he would have done that

So I can make an infopass and they'll give me that stamp right there and then? Is that how it works? I just bring my approval letter I got from the interview, plus ID? Do I make an infopass at the http://infopass.uscis.gov/ website?

[Jasman0717 9]

I certainly wouldn't leave without the stamp or the card

[bassagitator 1]

Hmmm Philadelphia office no longer does the stamp. And the woman told me that it could take up to 4 months to get my card in the mail, but I would recieve a welcome to america letter within 30 days.

Edited February 25, 2009 by bassagitator

[nitrosgirl 0]

we went for an interview for thee adjustment of status last march 17, our case was for further review,and the officer said it would take few months for us to receive the letter from USCIS, but 2 days after, we received an approval letter and welcome letter.. and then after 3 days that we received the welcome letter i received my Permanent Resident Card..

be sure that u have the stamp if u want to travel without ur card.