I-551 Stamp at I-485 Interview?

[John and Camie 39]

I've searched everywhere for an answer, hopefully someone can help!

1. Can we ask for/get an I-551 stamp at the AOS interview? If not at the interview, where?

2. Is this stamp good for travel to/from the UK (until the GC arrives)?

My work will only give me from 5/21 to 6/1 off, so I'm hoping that an I-551 (providing that we're approved) at the interview will allow me to book a flight with my husband in time. Otherwise, he'll be going alone when he gets his GC, and I won't be able to see my in-laws until Christmas.

(but hey, no complaints here - we consider ourselves to be very blessed to finally have an interview date!)

Thanks in advance, everyone.

[John and Camie 39]

Can anyone tell me anything about getting the I-551 stamp at the interview?

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

You might have to ask for it.

Some offices don't like to give the stamp. Who knows why.

Politely explain your quandry to your AO. If the case if approved that day they might be willing to stamp your passport.

And yes the stamp is good for travel. It functions exactly the same as the green card.

[John and Camie 39]

You might have to ask for it.

Some offices don't like to give the stamp. Who knows why.

Politely explain your quandry to your AO. If the case if approved that day they might be willing to stamp your passport.

And yes the stamp is good for travel. It functions exactly the same as the green card.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my question, I'll do just that!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

If they give you a 551 stamp, they may as well hand you a Green Card, as it's the very same in a different format. In most cases, however, the approval takes a day or so to become formal, so I wouldn't hold my breath for a stamp. Another issue is that you would sound desperate to get the hell out of the US of A, while you're not even really there yet, which might leave a bad taste in the I.O.'s mouth.

[John and Camie 39]

If they give you a 551 stamp, they may as well hand you a Green Card

And if they did that, then I'd be asking for the Card and not a stamp.

In most cases, however, the approval takes a day or so to become formal, so I wouldn't hold my breath for a stamp.

I won't hold my breath for a stamp, but I'll exhale a breath to ask for it. Might take more than just one breath, though.

Another issue is that you would sound desperate to get the hell out of the US of A, while you're not even really there yet, which might leave a bad taste in the I.O.'s mouth.

I only have from late May to early June to take my vacation. That is the window given to me by my employer. I'm sure the I.O. will understand my wish to not wait until Christmas to see my in-laws. And if I already have my approval when I ask for the stamp, I doubt the I.O. will revoke it.

Any bad taste in their mouth can be easily sorted through toothpaste and a brush. But thanks for playing!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

John,

you asked a question, I answered it to the best of my ability. I'm sorry if you didn't like my answer.

[trillium13 84]

I think the gist of what JustBob is trying to say is that if you aren't approved right then and there, it might not sit too well with the IO that you're asking for a passport stamp. Presumptions, you know.

If you are not approved at interview you can make an infopass appointment.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Bring proof of your travel arrangements with you to the interview. If you are approved and the time frame is too tight to ensure that the green card will arrive in time they may stamp your passport with the I-551 stamp. Or - they may tell you to wait for the green card, but you can make an infopass appointment for closer to when you are to leave and if you have not received your green card, again request the stamp as you have imminent travel plans. If you are not approved at the interview, then the AP will still be valid until there is a decision. If you are out of the country when the decision is made you should still be able to return on the AP explaining that you have not been back since the green card was approved so could not get the actual card into your possession. If it looks like the green card won't be approved at all, then don't travel until you do have a decision. (Not likely to happen, but you know your circumstances best).

Edited April 13, 2010 by Kathryn41

[John and Camie 39]

John,

you asked a question, I answered it to the best of my ability. I'm sorry if you didn't like my answer.

Hey Bob, it's Camie, and it's not a case of "liking" or "not-liking" your answer, it's just that based on answers you've given on other's posts, I realize that your thing is taking the piss. It's all good.

trillium13, you're very kind, but I understand that asking the I.O. for a stamp might not sit well with them IF I hadn't yet received confirmation of approval. That's like asking for time off at a job interview before I know if I've even gotten the job. I wanted to know if I should ask for the stamp at the interview, of course I would ask for it AFTER confirmation of approval by the I.O.

If they can't confirm approval or denial, then I won't ask for it. I didn't just fall off of the turnip truck, folks. The presumption that I would ask for an I-551 stamp BEFORE knowing for certain if I'm approved is silly.

I would have no problem waiting for John's card IF I could take my time off later in the summer. I am an editor on summer deadline and I simply can't. Hence the stamp.

Kathryn41, I really appreciate your reply. Your help was the kind I needed.

[Nik+Heather 121]

Bring proof of your travel arrangements with you to the interview. If you are approved and the time frame is too tight to ensure that the green card will arrive in time they may stamp your passport with the I-551 stamp. Or - they may tell you to wait for the green card, but you can make an infopass appointment for closer to when you are to leave and if you have not received your green card, again request the stamp as you have imminent travel plans. If you are not approved at the interview, then the AP will still be valid until there is a decision. If you are out of the country when the decision is made you should still be able to return on the AP explaining that you have not been back since the green card was approved so could not get the actual card into your possession. If it looks like the green card won't be approved at all, then don't travel until you do have a decision. (Not likely to happen, but you know your circumstances best).

I had originally thought this as well, but I wouldn't recommend using AP with the overstay John and Camie have on the K-1.

Anyway, the timing really sucks! Too bad the interview couldn't have been scheduled a couple of weeks earlier!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I had originally thought this as well, but I wouldn't recommend using AP with the overstay John and Camie have on the K-1.

Anyway, the timing really sucks! Too bad the interview couldn't have been scheduled a couple of weeks earlier!

Ah, good point. I wasn't aware of the overstay. In that case, no the AP would be of no use even if it is issued. You will need to wait for the AOS approval to travel because any overstay is forgiven when the AOS is approved. You can still request the I-551 if it looks like the physical green card won't make it in time for travel, however, it will be difficult to make travel arrangements until you know for sure. How frustrating!

Bring copies of your planned itinerary if you aren't able to make actual bookings yet and explain the tight timeline for your allowed time off.

Edited April 13, 2010 by Kathryn41