Getting Passport Stamp if GC expired

[KaashParinda 7]

Hi all-

My wife has applied for removing conditions in Sep 2012. We had a biometrics appointment in Oct 2012. We also received the NOA1 that extends her GC by one year.

However, we are planning to travel to Germany in May 2013. Is is 100% true that you CANNOT get a stamp on your passport (using an info-pass appointment) if your extension NOA1 is still valid? Some of the older posts say to get a stamp, and some of the newer posts say that you cannot get a stamp if you have an unexpired extension (the letter extends my wife's GC to Dec 2013.

What say you all? Also I am watching the 1-751 filers in September, but if anyone has had luck with CSC - i.e. already approved, I would like to hear from them.

Thanks, KP

[Hypnos 6,576]

You do not require a passport stamp if you have the NOA extending the validity of the green card.

[KayaEel 5]

KaashParinda,

since you guys applied at the CSC, you may receive the approval and green card before the trip to Germany in May 2013. The CSC is processing I-751 ROC about 3 months faster than the VSC. However, feel free to travel with the expired green card and NOA - extension letter. The Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers are familar with the extension letter and will allow re-enty into the US.

You can get an I-551 stamp in the Permanent Resident's foreign passport at the Local USCIS office for a couple of reasons, including if it is for a child / stepchild (CR-2) that is included as a rider on the Spouse's petition and the child needs an extension letter to travel separately, or to apply for a job or driver's license (because children are not given a separate extension letter, unless specifically requested after the first extension letter is received); if the extension letter of the CR-1 were lost or damaged, then the Local USCIS office would consider placing an I-551 stamp in the passport. However, please be aware that if the Local USCIS office provides an I-551 stamp, then they will take the expired green card. This is not negotiable. For some, this could make things more complicated. I hope this helps.

[Navyk 78]

KaashParinda,

since you guys applied at the CSC, you may receive the approval and green card before the trip to Germany in May 2013. The CSC is processing I-751 ROC about 3 months faster than the VSC. However, feel free to travel with the expired green card and NOA - extension letter. The Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers are familar with the extension letter and will allow re-enty into the US.

You can get an I-551 stamp in the Permanent Resident's foreign passport at the Local USCIS office for a couple of reasons, including if it is for a child / stepchild (CR-2) that is included as a rider on the Spouse's petition and the child needs an extension letter to travel separately, or to apply for a job or driver's license (because children are not given a separate extension letter, unless specifically requested after the first extension letter is received); if the extension letter of the CR-1 were lost or damaged, then the Local USCIS office would consider placing an I-551 stamp in the passport. However, please be aware that if the Local USCIS office provides an I-551 stamp, then they will take the expired green card. This is not negotiable. For some, this could make things more complicated. I hope this helps.

Good and informative reply.

[KaashParinda 7]

KaashParinda,

since you guys applied at the CSC, you may receive the approval and green card before the trip to Germany in May 2013. The CSC is processing I-751 ROC about 3 months faster than the VSC. However, feel free to travel with the expired green card and NOA - extension letter. The Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers are familar with the extension letter and will allow re-enty into the US.

You can get an I-551 stamp in the Permanent Resident's foreign passport at the Local USCIS office for a couple of reasons, including if it is for a child / stepchild (CR-2) that is included as a rider on the Spouse's petition and the child needs an extension letter to travel separately, or to apply for a job or driver's license (because children are not given a separate extension letter, unless specifically requested after the first extension letter is received); if the extension letter of the CR-1 were lost or damaged, then the Local USCIS office would consider placing an I-551 stamp in the passport. However, please be aware that if the Local USCIS office provides an I-551 stamp, then they will take the expired green card. This is not negotiable. For some, this could make things more complicated. I hope this helps.

Thanks much. Helpful to know options in case we lose the extension letter. Yeah, I am really hoping that the GC will arrive before we fly in the second week of May. ~KP

You do not require a passport stamp if you have the NOA extending the validity of the green card.

Thanks, KP

[newacct 688]

The Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers are familar with the extension letter and will allow re-enty into the US.

Yeah, but also importantly, are the airline staff in some foreign airport going to be familiar with it? Because it is they who will decide whether to even allow you to fly to the U.S. in the first place.

Edited February 27, 2013 by newacct

[KayaEel 5]

Yeah, but also importantly, are the airline staff in some foreign airport going to be familiar with it? Because it is they who will decide whether to even allow you to fly to the U.S. in the first place.

Great point! This should also be considered.

[KaashParinda 7]

So everyone - the Green Card has been approved as of April 11 and we have a letter to that affect. However, we still haven't received the green card. Here VSC is doing much better than CSC. Only one filer who had his/her approval letter got the actual Green Card a week later at CSC. Compared to that the VSC has several approvals + GC in hand.

My wife (who is the GC holder) and I, are leaving for Germany in two weeks. I am hoping beyond hope we get the GC before we travel. I *think* we are good, we have the expired GC plus the letter, also the letter stating that the GC has been approved (the last one has very little legal value but helps, I suppose). I certainly don't want to waste an infopass appointment for reasons Kaya mentioned above. Still a bit nervous! Has anybody on here gone and returned with expired GC plus extension letter without any problems?

Thanks in advance, all, KP