Green Card Lost - Replacement Options. Very concerned.

[andromeda1 7]

Hello all,

I hope the following case is not too long. I would be glad if you can read and help me out.

I received my green card last year and me being someone who has never lost a single important document in my life before ends up losing (or misplacing I hope) my conditional permanent residency card. Last I remember is putting in my wallet a few months ago. I've never really had to use it so all this time I was confident that it was in my wallet the whole time as I do not remember using it for anything lately. Yesterday I decided to clean out my wallet and to my shock I don't see the card in there in the paper thin pouch that USCIS mailed with it. This is quite stressing me out actually. Doing a quick search I found that I have to file a form I-90 and pay a $450 fee. Can you please answer the following questions?

1. Do I have to file a police report?

2. How long does it usually take? I've heard 3 months and I've also heard 9 months.

3. I keep reading "If your application for a replacement green card is denied, you will receive a letter that will tell you why the application was denied." Can they actually deny to give a replacement card? After all I went through the whole process and was officially approved for a LPR card. What would cause them to deny a replacement card? It's just a lost card, just seems it would be as simple as applying, waiting, and receiving the card. Feels like the replacement process is as hard and scary as the initial process.

4. Will there be an interview to get a replacement green card?

5. The main thing I am concerned about is my job. When I got hired last year, I got hired with the employment authorization card (before being issued a GC). That is about to expire soon and I have to update my status with my employer. Of course all I need for that is my permanent residency card and they just update with the info on that, it's that simple. But now that I think I've lost the card, will I have to stop working? I have a photocopy of the card, couldn't they just use that to update my info so that I can continue working? Will they have to fire me? I currently plan on applying for a replacement (which will not arrive on time to update info with employer) if I can't find it by the end of the weekend.

6. I was planning on visiting my home country in June/ July. If I can't get a replacement by then, I heard I can get a I-551 stamp. Do I have to book the tickets before getting stamped?

Thank you

All your time and effort is appretiated.

Edited March 1, 2015 by andromeda1

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hello all,

I hope the following case is not too long. I would be glad if you can read and help me out.

I received my green card last year and me being someone who has never lost a single important document in my life before ends up losing (or misplacing I hope) my conditional permanent residency card. Last I remember is putting in my wallet a few months ago. I've never really had to use it so all this time I was confident that it was in my wallet the whole time as I do not remember using it for anything lately. Yesterday I decided to clean out my wallet and to my shock I don't see the card in there in the paper thin pouch that USCIS mailed with it. This is quite stressing me out actually. Doing a quick search I found that I have to file a form I-90 and pay a $450 fee. Can you please answer the following questions?

1. Do I have to file a police report?

2. How long does it usually take? I've heard 3 months and I've also heard 9 months.

3. I keep reading "If your application for a replacement green card is denied, you will receive a letter that will tell you why the application was denied." Can they actually deny to give a replacement card? After all I went through the whole process and was officially approved for a LPR card. What would cause them to deny a replacement card? It's just a lost card, just seems it would be as simple as applying, waiting, and receiving the card. Feels like the replacement process is as hard and scary as the initial process.

4. Will there be an interview to get a replacement green card?

5. The main thing I am concerned about is my job. When I got hired last year, I got hired with the employment authorization card (before being issued a GC). That is about to expire soon and I have to update my status with my employer. Of course all I need for that is my permanent residency card and they just update with the info on that, it's that simple. But now that I think I've lost the card, will I have to stop working? I have a photocopy of the card, couldn't they just use that to update my info so that I can continue working? Will they have to fire me? I currently plan on applying for a replacement (which will not arrive on time to update info with employer) if I can't find it by the end of the weekend.

6. I was planning on visiting my home country in June/ July. If I can't get a replacement by then, I heard I can get a I-551 stamp. Do I have to book the tickets before getting stamped?

Thank you

All your time and effort is appretiated.

If you have a photo copy of the front and back, you can use that to file your removal of conditions (ROC). Why didn't you show your employer the GC when you received it? I would ask them if a photo copy will suffice. I would file a police report to report your GC as lost. As for the travel, you will need the police report and the NOA1 from the I-90 application and an INFOpass appointment to get the I-551 stamp. If you were not trevelling and the employer would accept the photo copy, I would suggest you save the I-90 fee and just wait for your new GC when you file for ROC.

Dave

[andromeda1 7]

Why didn't you show your employer the GC when you received it?

Hello Dave,

Thank you very much for your reply. I tried to update my status with the employer multiple times since I received the GC but they said the system wouldn't let them change it until closer to the current EAD expiration date.

[andromeda1 7]

I would file a police report to report your GC as lost. As for the travel, you will need the police report and the NOA1 from the I-90 application and an INFOpass appointment to get the I-551 stamp.

Hey Dave,

Also, I tried to just look up and INFOPass appointment for the office I had my GC interview in and they have no appointments available. Do I have tho go to only that office to get it done or a different office in a different city would suffice? I found another USCIS office a little further away that has appointments available.

About the replacement green card, do they have to interview me? Can they actually deny a replacement even though I am already a legal permanent resident?

One last thing, how do you think this standoff in congress about DHS funding affect the replacement process?

[ExPatty 502]

For what good it will do you I hope I can calm your fears by saying you're worrying too much. You were issued a green card legitimately and simply losing it won't result in a denial when you apply for a new one. People lose things all the time. Most likely they would deny it if they figure out you're trying to be deceitful and applying for a replacement under false pretenses. You're not, so it's not a legitimate worry.

The card is a piece of plastic and little more. Your entire immigration status, and the coveted LPR that you have, is not in jeopardy because you lost the card.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hey Dave,

Also, I tried to just look up and INFOPass appointment for the office I had my GC interview in and they have no appointments available. Do I have tho go to only that office to get it done or a different office in a different city would suffice? I found another USCIS office a little further away that has appointments available.

About the replacement green card, do they have to interview me? Can they actually deny a replacement even though I am already a legal permanent resident?

One last thing, how do you think this standoff in congress about DHS funding affect the replacement process?

You can go to any office if you are willing to travel. Do not worry about a denial. It is unlikely you will have an interview for either the replacement GC or the 10-year GC when you file for ROC. If you have the photo copy, you can apply for ROC using that. The only reason to replace the card is for international travel where you need the actual card or the I-551 stamp in your passport. USCIS is supposed to be funded by the fees we pay, so the DHS funding SHOULD NOT have an impact, but this is the Federal Government so who knows?

Dave