Traveling without greencard in hand

[merc0230 28]

Hey everyone,

My wife just immigrated here last month (POE Atlanta) and has not received her GC as of yet.

Not too worried about not receiving the card yet, except we want to travel back home (Costa Rica) for a baby shower.

At the embassy in CR we were told she would get a one-time visa entry stamp in her passport, however at the POE the immigration official said it would take 6 - 8 months to actually receive the green card. BUT she could travel with the visa stamp for the next 12 months.

Now, I tend to believe the immigration official over the embassy clerk...but does anyone have any real life experience?

Thanks,

Merc

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

I'm also interested in this because we are transiting from the USVI to the BVI about a week after POE. I was told the I-551 in the passport would work, but I want to hear of someone that has used it.

[Done--Really 331]

No sweat--you can travel

[JohnR! 5,495]

Hey everyone,

My wife just immigrated here last month (POE Atlanta) and has not received her GC as of yet.

Not too worried about not receiving the card yet, except we want to travel back home (Costa Rica) for a baby shower.

At the embassy in CR we were told she would get a one-time visa entry stamp in her passport, however at the POE the immigration official said it would take 6 - 8 months to actually receive the green card. BUT she could travel with the visa stamp for the next 12 months.

Now, I tend to believe the immigration official over the embassy clerk...but does anyone have any real life experience?

Thanks,

Merc

She can re-enter the US with the endorsed I-551 on her passport. If you look closely at the visa, it states it is valid for one year from the date it is endorsed.

[Dave&Roza 748]

I'm also interested in this because we are transiting from the USVI to the BVI about a week after POE. I was told the I-551 in the passport would work, but I want to hear of someone that has used it.

Just so you know, the GC is an I-551 so what she has in her passport is the same as the physical GC. As long as the date is still valid on the I-551 stamp she is good to go. There was a thread on here where someone with an expired GC and the extension letter wanted to get the stamp because they were afraid that the expired GC and extension letter was not good enough for the country he was visiting with his wife. So he wanted what you already have.

Safe travels,

Dave