Travelling with conditional green card at the time of removal of conditions

[annapcs 2]

Hey Guys, this is my first post on this website, forgive me if I am posting in the wrong place.

I hope someone can help me

My conditional green card is going to expire on September 2, 2012, and as required, I'll apply for the removal of conditions 90 days prior to that date, which is June 2nd, 2012. But I will be travelling to Brazil at that time (from May 20th to July 15th) and won't be able to mail the petition myself.

Am I allowed to leave the package with the petition ready for my husband to send while I am in Brazil (travelling with a still valid conditional green card) or would it be a problem if the USCIS sends my NOA while I'm out of the country?

Thank you!!

[N M 96]

The only requirement is that USCIS receives the application package WITHIN 90 days of your 2 year GC anniversary. You do not have to file exactly 90 days before the expiration date.

If your GC expires on 9/2/2012, you can mail the application at ANY TIME within the 90 days preceeding 9/2/2012. Just make absolutely sure it will be RECEIVED by USCIS before 9/2/2012.

So why not wait until you return from Brazil in July? If your husband was to mail it on your behalf in early June, you COULD receive a biometrics appointment for a date in early July. If you are still in Brazil for the scheduled date, you'd have to reschedule. That should be straightforward - but don't always count on that with USCIS!

Waiting to file until you return to the U.S. in July would be much simpler.

[annapcs 2]

Ops, I meant May 20th to June 15th. But still, what you said makes total sense!

Thank you for clarifying that, and for the quick reply!

[Cino 5]

Filing window opens 90 day before the 2nd year anniversary of Conditional Green Card. It does not mean you have to file on that day, you can file anytime between to be exact June 04, 2012 & September 01, 2012.

If I were you I would file it after I come back from Brazil (After June 15, 2012). Btw, if you file it earlier than window-opening date, USCIS rejects the application & mail it back to you.

Good Luck !......

[annapcs 2]

Cino,

the reason why I wanted my husband to mail a few days before i get back is because in january 2013 i am going to have to travel abroad for 6 months for school, and I wanted my new green card to be ready by then, so i don't have any pending issues, that's why I'm trying to make things as rushed as possible.

Do you think it would cause me problems to mail before I get back?

Thank you!

[N M 96]

If you will be a Vermont filer, it is likely that you won't have your new GC by January 2013 - even if you file in June 2012.

This link should show you the progress of June 2011 filers....

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/312637-i-751-june-2011-filers/page__st__975

Basically, Vermont seems to be sitting on a massive backlog of applications.

Bear in mind, that if you are called for an interview after January 2013 (interviews are unlikely - but do happen to some), you will need to fly back from Brazil to attend.

[Cino 5]

No, not really. The earliest day you can send in June 04 anyway. Let's say your husband will be mailing on that day, NOA comes usually 7-9 days, Bio app. notice comes usually 3 weeks, Bio app. date usually comes 5 weeks after NOA, so you are looking at the Bio app. date is sometime around July 20. If you want, you can go earlier than your original Bio app. date.

So anyway, you will be June 2012 VSC Filers, if you look at the list for June 2011 VSC Filers, you will see they have been approved between 8-9 months. Let's say 8 months for you, so you will be approved mid February 2013, add another 2 weeks for GC delivery, you can get your GC at the beginning of March 2013. So it means you can not make it in January 2013.

I suggest you had better get ready to change your plans, I bet you there is no way VSC will remove your condition in 6 months !......You don't know they are extremely slow.....

Edited March 22, 2012 by Cino

[annapcs 2]

Oh wow, it is taking a long time indeed!

In this case I should probably postpone the trip in 2013 just to be on the safe side. That's a bummer

but thank you so much for your help!! It definitely clarified things!

[Cino 5]

Oh wow, it is taking a long time indeed!

In this case I should probably postpone the trip in 2013 just to be on the safe side. That's a bummer

but thank you so much for your help!! It definitely clarified things!

Before you postpone anything, if you want, you can still go to Brazil in January with your Expired GC+ 1-yr. Extension Letter, ( will be valid until June xx, 2013) No problem. While you are abroad If you have an interview, you have to come back to US. If you receive a RFE you have to sign the paper.

If you receive your 10-yr. GC while you're in Brazil, you can still enter US with your Expired GC + 1-yr. Extension Letter before the expiration date or have your husband mail the 10-yr. GC to you in Brazil if you like to come back to US after expiration of the 1-yr. Extension Letter. If you feel comfortable that way, you can do it too. Good Luck !.....

Edited March 22, 2012 by Cino

[annapcs 2]

I wont be going to Brazil, i'll go to France for a semester in school, which probably wouldn't allow me to come back in the middle of it to take care of my immigration stuff.

I think it may be more prudent for me to postpone and wait until everything is resolved, with new green card in hands to avoid any "surprises".

Once again, thank you for the info. I'm much more clear on how to proceed now, it's a relief! Thank you!!

[Cino 5]

I wont be going to Brazil, i'll go to France for a semester in school, which probably wouldn't allow me to come back in the middle of it to take care of my immigration stuff.

I think it may be more prudent for me to postpone and wait until everything is resolved, with new green card in hands to avoid any "surprises".

Once again, thank you for the info. I'm much more clear on how to proceed now, it's a relief! Thank you!!

You're welcome !.... Some people don't feel comfortable to travel with the Expired GC + 1- yr. Extension Letter. I don't blame them because They don't understand the Extension Letter at some International airports abroad.

[fairandfoul 7]

You're welcome !.... Some people don't feel comfortable to travel with the Expired GC + 1- yr. Extension Letter. I don't blame them because They don't understand the Extension Letter at some International airports abroad.

Can you list some of these international airports abroad where the letter is not understood? As one who has re-entered the United States nine times and from various airports with the expired Green Card and Extension Letter, I find this claim a little dubious.

Specifically, it is the aiirline you are travelling with, not the local airport authority, who determines your boarding privileges. In my experience, ALL of them have been properly educated on the Extension Letter and accept it without question.

[Cino 5]

Can you list some of these international airports abroad where the letter is not understood? As one who has re-entered the United States nine times and from various airports with the expired Green Card and Extension Letter, I find this claim a little dubious.

Specifically, it is the aiirline you are travelling with, not the local airport authority, who determines your boarding privileges. In my experience, ALL of them have been properly educated on the Extension Letter and accept it without question.

Very easy... Istanbul, Turkey. It happened to one of my friends. You go there, you will see how many check points you will go through. I won't even remember how many times last time I used the term "the international airports" in general, of course airline personnel & airport security people will check your documents.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Can you list some of these international airports abroad where the letter is not understood? As one who has re-entered the United States nine times and from various airports with the expired Green Card and Extension Letter, I find this claim a little dubious.

Specifically, it is the aiirline you are travelling with, not the local airport authority, who determines your boarding privileges. In my experience, ALL of them have been properly educated on the Extension Letter and accept it without question.

I don't know about the letter but I travelled on my brand spanking new GC (received July 2010) to Australia. This was one of the new cards that they'd changed around June 2010. The woman that checked me in actually had to call a supervisor because they hadn't seen this "new" card before (actually seemed to imply it was fake!) and because they had made it USCIS# on the front instead of A# and they were confused. In fact they got a little pissy when I tried to point out where it was. It took some time but eventually they just let me through but if a new GC throws people I can only imagine what an expired card and a letter with small writing saying it's an extension (seriously, I've seen examples it's not super obvious) can do at some airports (let alone those with english as a second language).

[Mike X Man 37]

Why would you seriously do this? Always look at the worst case scenario. Put off your plans. Do the ROC then continue with your life.