Traveling with Extension Letter during ROC

[bob72601 13]

HI all,

Just curious, has anyone traveled with the extension letter? Any problems with Immigration? Specifically Miami Airport.

Thanks

Bob & Orlando

[hsa12390 30]

I haven't personally, my friend did and said they were stopped at the customs and they were giving them a bit of a hard time but eventually let them in. I believe this was in the airport in Portland, OR.

Also, does anyone know if you can travel with a copy of the NOA1 or does it need to be the original?

[Zachris 5]

The real question on this one is: will the airline in the foreign country allow you to board to the plane back to the US.

Airlines check for visas or residency before they allow you to board. Yes, the letter is supposed to extend the legal residency, but do the airline employees know that? Especially the employees of/within a foreign country. You really could not blame them for not being aware of this "loophole" is US immigration policy.

Has anyone had trouble boarding a plane with an expired two year green card and the letter of extension?

[zuluweta 250]

A solution to this possible problem would be to schedule an Infopass appointment at USCIS and have them stamp the passport with a temporary I-551 immigrant visa stamp valid for 1 year. Get this stamp before making travel plans.

[nitrous_guy 23]

A solution to this possible problem would be to schedule an Infopass appointment at USCIS and have them stamp the passport with a temporary I-551 immigrant visa stamp valid for 1 year. Get this stamp before making travel plans.

only problem with this is, not all will do this request and will only do it, after the 1 year NOA has expired and you are still in the process of ROC.

I also believe it depends largely on the airline and the country you are travelling from too.

[nitrous_guy 23]

There was a link someone posted on this forum, not so long ago, to the USCIS/CBP website, listing that travelling with letter of extension is fine.

Can someone find that link again?

Thanks

Edit: Found it, paragraph 5.

I would print that page out too and take it with you, along with your Expired GC AND your extension letter

Edited July 21, 2016 by nitrous_guy

[bob72601 13]

Thanks for all the replies. I have to agree with the post about the airline not knowing the legalities. Also, most local offices WILL NOT give you the I-551 Stamp until the year has expired.

So our thoughts are we will not travel out of the US until we get the actual 10-year green card. As we are having to file with VSC, it will take close to a year. Damn they are SLOW.

Bob & Orlando