going on vacations

[chefboyardee 0]

We sent our I 751 to Vermont on March 1st and my biometrics appointment is March 30. We are planning on going on vacations in May and unfortunately, if we don't go in May, we will have to wait until next year. My concern is if we are called for an interview , how far in advance will we know the date? I am worried that the interview appointment will be on the same week that we are planning on being away. By the way, I don't see too many people having an interview. Anybody knows what are our chances of having to go to an interview? If chances are low, I'll go ahead and make plans and take chances.

Thank you for your help.

[v333k 59]

We sent our I 751 to Vermont on March 1st and my biometrics appointment is March 30. We are planning on going on vacations in May and unfortunately, if we don't go in May, we will have to wait until next year. My concern is if we are called for an interview , how far in advance will we know the date? I am worried that the interview appointment will be on the same week that we are planning on being away. By the way, I don't see too many people having an interview. Anybody knows what are our chances of having to go to an interview? If chances are low, I'll go ahead and make plans and take chances.

Thank you for your help.

Interviews are very rare and some people get them based on a random selection. No one can predict them but most people will not get called for an interview as long as they are still married and living together.

The most recommended suggestion is to have someone check your mail (do not put it on hold) and have them check once every 2-3 days. Make sure they are able to contact you while you are outside the country and you need to guarantee that they are reliable for your sake.

How long will you be out of the country?

[chefboyardee 0]

Thank you for your answer.

We are going to Canada for 9 days (4 working days because of Memorial weekend) so we hope that the interview, if there is one, will not be scheduled for that week. It would be totally unlucky to be called for an interview on that week, but it may happen, and we would have to cancel our plans and lose some deposit money. So if chances of an interview are low, we will go ahead with our plans.

Another question, do I need to have my passport stamped? Can I do it at the biometrics office?

[mikellen 0]

Thank you for your answer.

We are going to Canada for 9 days (4 working days because of Memorial weekend) so we hope that the interview, if there is one, will not be scheduled for that week. It would be totally unlucky to be called for an interview on that week, but it may happen, and we would have to cancel our plans and lose some deposit money. So if chances of an interview are low, we will go ahead with our plans.

"Another question, do I need to have my passport stamped? Can I do it at the biometrics office?"

My wife just had her biometrics done a few days ago and I asked the immigration "person" if my wife can get her passport stamped. I was told no and that the letter she received confirming the receipt of the submitted I-751 should be used when travelling overseas. YMMV though.

[v333k 59]

My wife just had her biometrics done a few days ago and I asked the immigration "person" if my wife can get her passport stamped. I was told no and that the letter she received confirming the receipt of the submitted I-751 should be used when travelling overseas. YMMV though.

Your mistake is you asked! You need to schedule an infopass and get the passport stamped there. Usually, the officers at the ASC will not do anything other than take your biometrics and ask you to fill out a survey on how they are doing?!!!!!!

If you really want to stamp, get an infopass -

[natashenika 0]

I had an info pass today for the same reason, (stamnp) and was tald that conditional green card and NOA1 is more than enough to go outside of the USA and be back

[Imua 0]

This will be us next year... Govi's GC expires July 11 '11 and we want to travel to Nepal in late May-June (4-5 weeks) - that is the only time we can travel due to my work schedule and trying to avoid the heavy monsoon - wonder if this will be a problem.

[mlspyl 0]

I concur with the expired green card (GC) and original NOA1 "extension" letter (12 month travel and work extension) is sufficient to re-enter the USA.

Two years ago, my wife (Chinese citizen with GC) and I traveled to China on our annual trip to visit relatives. My wife's GC had expired and we were in the I751 removing conditions process.

Our trip is a little more convoluted than most. We left the USA, landed in Hong Kong (HK), with HK immigrations, which is not the same as Chinese immigrations. Then we exited HK traveling to mainland China (with Chinese immigrations). No problem at any step here.

When leaving China we passed through Chinese immigrations, then entered HK using HK immigrations. At the airport our passports were checked by the airline, and then by HK immigrations again before boarding the plane. When entering the USA at the airport we passed through US immigrations.

Had I minor problem at Chinese customs when my wife tried to leave. They would not allow her to leave China because her GC was expired. We called over a supervisor at immigrations who had a better understanding of English. I showed her the appropriate sentence on the NOA1 letter regarding the 12 month extension. She agreed and we left Chinese immigrations. This took an extra two minutes.

No problem with HK immigration, either entering (from Chinese border) or exiting (at airport) HK. They knew exactly what to look for.

I had e-mailed the airline about this issue before the trip. I was concerned that the airline check-in employees would not be trained to handle the expired GC issue. They replied that their staff are aware of the procedure and we should not have a problem at HK airport. We did not have an issue. The airline staff asked for my wife's passport, expired GC and NOA1 letter when checking our baggage.

Entering USA in New Jersey, US immigrations asked for the NOA1 letter along with my wife's expired GC and passport. No problem here. I ask the immigration officer if the passport "stamp" is necessary. She replied no. The expired GC and original NOA1 "extension" is all that is needed.

This is one case, others might have other experiences. I believe the expired GC and original NOA1 extension is all that is required.

Mark

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

It is very unusual for a couple that filed the I-751 jointly, to be called to an interview. But it can happen. Let's assign a 5% chance to it, shall we.

Now . . . what are the odds that such an unlikely interview takes place within the 9 days you are out of the country? Can't answer that. Let's say it is extremely unlikely. But if the unthinkable really happens, I can guarantee that you will get a notice 3 to 4 weeks ahead of time.

So for all practical purposes, don't waste another thought on it. Most likely, one of these days, you'll have the 10-year GC card in the mail, delivered in an envelope that looks like spam and begs to be thrown in the trash.