Immigrant Visa Expires at the end of this year.

[mike46 0]

Hello, my wife's immigrant visa expires at the end of this year. We are not in the US now, do we need to check in the US before it expires? Thanks in advance. Mike.

[didopage 337]

Which visa is it? Does she have a green card?

[mike46 0]

Hello, she has the I-551 Immigrant Visa. She was given the alien status but card never arrived, replacement should be arriving very soon. Thanks for the fast reply.

[didopage 337]

I-551 is not a visa, but is a green card. I guess you mean that she entered the country with a visa (spousal visa? IR-1/CR-1?) which has the I-551 annotation on it.

When did she entered the US? What does her visa annotation exactly says? Where is the replacement card supposed to arrive?

[mike46 0]

Upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year, there is a stamp with Dec 29 2011 then note from IRI 28 Dec 2012. IV category is IRI, thanks.

I-551 is not a visa, but is a green card. I guess you mean that she entered the country with a visa (spousal visa? IR-1/CR-1?) which has the I-551 annotation on it.

When did she entered the US? What does her visa annotation exactly says? Where is the replacement card supposed to arrive?

[mike46 0]

I meant IR1 as you stated

[Darnell 8,478]

it really sucks to be out of the country, unable to monitor postal mail.

so, call into USCIS, and ask for the tracking # on the green card mailing.

Technically, she cannot return to USA through any POE with an expired I-551 document.

[mike46 0]

Hello, I had to formally request a replacement card. The original tracking showed that the card arrived, but really did not. If we get in the US before the expiration of the I-155 will it be extended?

it really sucks to be out of the country, unable to monitor postal mail.

so, call into USCIS, and ask for the tracking # on the green card mailing.

Technically, she cannot return to USA through any POE with an expired I-551 document.

[didopage 337]

You should return to the US while her I-551 is still valid and that she gets her green card in the mail. Otherwise, she won't have any valid proof that she is a permanent resident and will need a new visa to return to the US.

I don't think it will be extended but it's better for her to be in the US and fix this problem. Have you checked with the USCIS to be sure they have the correct address?

Edited October 11, 2012 by didopage

[mike46 0]

The form I had to submit for replacement was the I90.

Hello, I had to formally request a replacement card. The original tracking showed that the card arrived, but really did not. If we get in the US before the expiration of the I-155 will it be extended?

it really sucks to be out of the country, unable to monitor postal mail.

so, call into USCIS, and ask for the tracking # on the green card mailing.

Technically, she cannot return to USA through any POE with an expired I-551 document.

[mike46 0]

Yes they have the correct address. If we get the card, is this enough for entry? Even though the visa on the passport expired?

You should return to the US while her I-551 is still valid and that she gets her green card in the mail. Otherwise, she won't have any valid proof that she is a permanent resident and will need a new visa to return to the US.

I don't think it will be extended but it's better for her to be in the US and fix this problem. Have you checked with the USCIS to be sure they have the correct address?

[didopage 337]

Yes, the green card will be her proof of US residency. She will be able to enter the US without a visa, but she needs to have it with her and show it at POE.

The visa was just an authorization for her to enter the US. The I-551 on it acts as a temporary proof of permanent residency. As you said, it will expire next December 28th.

[mike46 0]

So what you are saying is that all we need is the green card? Somewhere I heard that you cannot be out of the country for more than a year, this is our case. I was supposed to be working in the US last year this is why we did all the Visa stuff, to get her a legal status, but we are still in Europe. Is she still considered a resident if we have been out for a year?

Yes, the green card will be her proof of US residency. She will be able to enter the US without a visa, but she needs to have it with her and show it at POE.

The visa was just an authorization for her to enter the US. The I-551 on it acts as a temporary proof of permanent residency. As you said, it will expire next December 28th.

[didopage 337]

Then, there's a problem. What are your long terms goals? Live in Europe or the US?

Look at this link: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=0c353a4107083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=0c353a4107083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

Edited October 11, 2012 by didopage

[mike46 0]

Thanks again for your reply, and thanks for the link, it is extremely helpful. Goals are to go back to the US, but we are still here and don't know if it is wise to go to the US once a year to maintain the residency. If we go back to the US before the year is up, is it annotated somewhere that we went to the US? Will we get another year to reenter, and maintain the residency status? Where would it be annotated that we went back to the US?

Then, there's a problem. What are your long terms goals? Live in Europe or the US?

Look at this link: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=0c353a4107083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=0c353a4107083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD