Traveling outside the US during CR status

[Petition2252 7]

Dear Visa Journey Members:

My wife needs to travel in July 2012.

She would like to visit her home country to:

1) Go to a friends marriage

2) Renew her passport (expires in 2013)

3) Visit family

The problem is she arrived in the US July 2010. This means during the time of her travel, her Form I-751,Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence will most likely be pending.

I wonder if it is possible. The only thing I found that might help is I-131, Application for Travel Document.

Does anyone have experience?

Best,

Matthew

[canadian_wife 1,822]

You should file to remove conditions 90 days before the expiration of her green card. She should get a document extending her residency status which indicates that it is good for work and travle. THIS is what she'll use, along with her expired green card and passport, to travel. NOT the I131

Good luck

[Petition2252 7]

You should file to remove conditions 90 days before the expiration of her green card. She should get a document extending her residency status which indicates that it is good for work and travle. THIS is what she'll use, along with her expired green card and passport, to travel. NOT the I131

Good luck

I have heard it may take 90 days or more to receive this document. What was your experience?

My problem is, I do not want to buy plane tickets and she does not receive the extension letter/document in time.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The extension letter comes with your NOA1, or is the same thing. That comes in a week. It extends her status for a year. That means she can travel on her old GC and extension letter for a year (after the old GC expires). I suggest you head over to the ROC forum and check it out!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

About 1 week to 10 days after you guys have mailed in the I-751 package, the NOA1 which extends the validity of your wife's Green Card will arrive in the mail.

She still will have to wait for the NOA2, which is the biometrics appointment letter, before leaving the U.S., assuming that she'll be able to do a walk-in, as many VJ members have done it. Then the only hypothetical obstacle would be that USCIS calls you in for an interview. Although unlikely, you may be randomly picked to satisfy the quota needed.

[Petition2252 7]

About 1 week to 10 days after you guys have mailed in the I-751 package, the NOA1 which extends the validity of your wife's Green Card will arrive in the mail.

She still will have to wait for the NOA2, which is the biometrics appointment letter, before leaving the U.S., assuming that she'll be able to do a walk-in, as many VJ members have done it. Then the only hypothetical obstacle would be that USCIS calls you in for an interview. Although unlikely, you may be randomly picked to satisfy the quota needed.

Hmm.... I wonder if the biometrics appointment is reschedulable same with USCIS interview.

So If I understand correctly, NOA1 allows you to travel, but you are required to be present for NOA2 and interview. Technically the interview can be requested at any time of the process (so she is not safe to leave until conditions are removed).

[Ryan H 3,812]

2) Renew her passport (expires in 2013)

This can be done in the US through the Belarusian Embassy in Washington DC. She does not need to travel to Belarus to renew her passport.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

*** Moving from CR-1 to ROC forum as question relates to that process ***

[ceadsearc 516]

Biometrics and the interview can be rescheduled, but it delays the process and when it comes to rescheduling an interview you run the risk that your local office didn't get the memo even if the main office did and then you end up denied. I wouldn't recommend it.

The good news is, most people don't get an interview with ROC. The other good news is, you won't get an interview letter or biometrics letter that says "show up tomorrow" ... you'll get a couple weeks warning.

How long is your wife planning to be gone for? How difficult would it be for her to return during that time period if you did get an interview notice?

[Petition2252 7]

This can be done in the US through the Belarusian Embassy in Washington DC. She does not need to travel to Belarus to renew her passport.

I tried convincing her the same. Saves us a few thousand dollars. But I think she is a little homesick and wants to visit friends (+marriage) and family.

Biometrics and the interview can be rescheduled, but it delays the process and when it comes to rescheduling an interview you run the risk that your local office didn't get the memo even if the main office did and then you end up denied. I wouldn't recommend it.

The good news is, most people don't get an interview with ROC. The other good news is, you won't get an interview letter or biometrics letter that says "show up tomorrow" ... you'll get a couple weeks warning.

How long is your wife planning to be gone for? How difficult would it be for her to return during that time period if you did get an interview notice?

She would only be gone for about a month.

I figure if I give strong evidence, the chance of an interview lessens.

On a side note, how often do people's finger prints change? She had to give them to get her CR1, now she has to give them again? Weird stuff.

[ceadsearc 516]

I honestly have no idea why they fingerprint again - I would assume it is to make sure the person hasn't committed any crimes in the meantime they aren't being up front about, but I don't know why they don't use the ones on file!

I would definitely send as much evidence as possible. I don't know how they determine the interviews - our IO told us it was totally random in order to meet the quota, while someone interviewed in the same office as us on the same day was told it was evidence-based. If I were you, I'd send the ROC paperwork the full 90 days in advance because that way you have a pretty good shot at getting the biometric notice before she leaves and can probably do a walk-in if needed once the letter is received. Hopefully she won't get an interview notice, but if she does it should come about a month in advance so you'll be prepared. If possible, I'd buy tickets that you can change just in case you get an interview notice the week before she leaves or something for 3 weeks out, but I know those can be costlier. It's a bit of a gamble, but with her only being gone for a month chances are good it won't be an issue so long as biometrics is taken care of.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Hmm.... I wonder if the biometrics appointment is reschedulable same with USCIS interview.

So If I understand correctly, NOA1 allows you to travel, but you are required to be present for NOA2 and interview. Technically the interview can be requested at any time of the process (so she is not safe to leave until conditions are removed).

Nope,

you misunderstood.

As I was saying . . . the NOA1 is the extension of her Green Card. That's the green light to travel. BUT, before she can take off, she needs to attend biometrics. The NOA2 is the biometrics appointment letter. It will come another week or two weeks later, with an appointment again weeks in the future. Your wife should not wait for this appointment. The moment she has the NOA2 in her hand, she travels to the nearest biometrics office, hands the NOA2 and her Green Card to the bulldog at the door, and pretends she's there for her appointment. Well, she is, but a few weeks early. If the bulldog complains, she will tell her it's an emergency, show her plane ticket, and that she has to leave to save her mother's life. That works in 90% of all cases. Once she is done with biometrics, meaning 20 minutes later, she can take off.

It is highly unlikely that you will have an interview, but it's possible. Most people have no interview at the RoC stage. Only those who have unusual cases, people who file with a waiver, and then a few randomly picked couples for no other reason than because. If that happens . . . well, it's time to get on a plane back.

Edited January 1, 2012 by Brother Hesekiel

[AkikoA 0]

Hi,

I am getting little confused...

I thought NOA "I-751 Receipt Notice" is receipt of I-751 at the same time this NOA extend my green card period one more year.

so If i travel outside USA i have to bring NOA "I-751 receipt notice" and my old green card (and passport for sure)

thats it. (btw I finished bio)

Am I correct?

or are they have any different NOA saying only Extend your green card??

Thanks