Will USCIS issue I-551 stamp while I-751 is pending?

[jack999 0]

Filed my I-751 a couple of weeks ago and received NOA and done with Biometrics. I'm planning to travel abroad for a short visit. Can I make an Infopass appointment for an I-551 stamp? From what I have heard, sometimes the USCIS denies such request and insists the sufficiency of expired GC and the NOA letter. My concern is that the departing port abroad may not recognize these proof. Can someone please verify and advise? Thanks!!

[grrrrreat 109]

Filed my I-751 a couple of weeks ago and received NOA and done with Biometrics. I'm planning to travel abroad for a short visit. Can I make an Infopass appointment for an I-551 stamp? From what I have heard, sometimes the USCIS denies such request and insists the sufficiency of expired GC and the NOA letter. My concern is that the departing port abroad may not recognize these proof. Can someone please verify and advise? Thanks!!

Does the NOA1 say either way? The NOAs at one point recommended going in for an I-551 stamp. At another point they said that the NOA itself with the expired GC was sufficient. I would go by what the NOA1 says.

People will go in for the I-551 stamp if the year-long GC extension provided by the NOA1 is about to expire but they still don't have a decision on the I-751.

Edited May 9, 2012 by grrrrreat

[jack999 0]

Thanks for your prompt reply! Can you tell me what NOA1 means? I only got the I-751 receipt letter (extension letter) and Biometrics Appointment Letter so far....

[jimnlena 8]

I posted similar question, and all the responses seemed to think having expired green card and letter for Noa1 would be all that is necessary.

[grrrrreat 109]

Thanks for your prompt reply! Can you tell me what NOA1 means? I only got the I-751 receipt letter (extension letter) and Biometrics Appointment Letter so far....

Sorry, the I-751 receipt letter is sometimes called NOA here, because it's usually labelled Notice of Action (I-797C). Does the letter say whether you can travel on it plus the expired GC, or if you should go in for an I-551 stamp? Since the NOA extends the GC for a year, most people simply use that, but I do think at one point the letter said you could contact infopass for the I-551 stamp.

Edited May 9, 2012 by grrrrreat

[jack999 0]

Thanks again~ In fact, my concern was not that I will not be able to enter the US by presenting the expired GC and extension letter. I was more worried about the foreign custom officials (non-English spoken country) do not accept these documentations. After all, only a few people board the flight by holding the I-797 extension letter...so I was afraid they may deny my departing at the airport..confused....

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Filed my I-751 a couple of weeks ago and received NOA and done with Biometrics. I'm planning to travel abroad for a short visit. Can I make an Infopass appointment for an I-551 stamp? From what I have heard, sometimes the USCIS denies such request and insists the sufficiency of expired GC and the NOA letter. My concern is that the departing port abroad may not recognize these proof. Can someone please verify and advise? Thanks!!

We used the expired green card and the NOA extension letter on several occasions to re-enter the US with no problems.

Edited May 9, 2012 by Gary and Alla

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

The letters we have specifically ALLOW travel outside the USA and return. I do not see how ANYONE that can read English would have any question about that. And specifically say to use the expired green card and the letter

There is no suggestion to get an I-551 stamp

[jack999 0]

Thanks for your comments! My only concern was exactly it - what if the guy in a non-English spoken country doesn't understand or speak English at all lol...I just believe an I551 stamp is somehow safer...

[grrrrreat 109]

Thanks for your comments! My only concern was exactly it - what if the guy in a non-English spoken country doesn't understand or speak English at all lol...I just believe an I551 stamp is somehow safer...

I doubt that non-U.S. border personnel know what an I-551 stamp is. I'm sure they know what a Green Card is, and even if they notice it is expired they will be able to see that it's been extended per the letter.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thanks for your comments! My only concern was exactly it - what if the guy in a non-English spoken country doesn't understand or speak English at all lol...I just believe an I551 stamp is somehow safer...

They are not going to just hand out an I-551 stamp because you want them to. It is a legal document. I doubt they are going to do that (they did not give us one when the AOS was approved even though we asked)Make an infopass and ask if you want.

Ukraine is non-Englsh speaking, we had no problems there. Quebec is sort of non-English speaking and we went there a LOT.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thanks for your comments! My only concern was exactly it - what if the guy in a non-English spoken country doesn't understand or speak English at all lol...I just believe an I551 stamp is somehow safer...

Your main concern s not the passport control of foreign countries. I doubt the passport control people in Ukraine who you see when you LEAVE know much about stamps or green cards. They really only look at passports anyway. The green card is for entry into the US

Now, airlines ARE required to verify their passengers can enter the US before they allow them to board and THAT is where you would have a problem...if any. In any foreign country I have ever been in, the people handling boarding for flights bound for the USA spoke English, at least to some extent, and are trained on the proper documents.

I think you are imagining problems and wanting some sort of stamp to assuage your personal fears, but they do not just hand them out like that. That said, it is free to get denied.