i-751 April 2016 Filers - Part 2 (merged)

[MyHeartWillGoOn93 8]

Every time I go to the infopass website, it says that there are no available appointments and sometimes it shows just one date and time and not for "the next 2 weeks" like it claims. Why is this? My GC anniversary is May 6th and I'm hoping to book an appointment the Monday before then.

[Sukie 1,464]

23 minutes ago, MyHeartWillGoOn93 said:

Every time I go to the infopass website, it says that there are no available appointments and sometimes it shows just one date and time and not for "the next 2 weeks" like it claims. Why is this? My GC anniversary is May 6th and I'm hoping to book an appointment the Monday before then.

Others have said you need to be on the site between midnight and 6 a.m. to try to get a slot!

 

Good luck!

 

Sukie in NY

[MyHeartWillGoOn93 8]

1 hour ago, Sukie said:

Others have said you need to be on the site between midnight and 6 a.m. to try to get a slot!

 

Good luck!

 

Sukie in NY

Ah, okay. Thank you! I am getting so impatient. I hope USCIS updates their processing times soon!

[SachaAndIain 10]

Just drove out to Buffalo for an infopass appointment. Very easy process, apart from the drive. I was in and out in 15 minutes. Turns out I got approved on the 10th, letter is on it's way.

 

Couple of important data points: because I'm already approved, they won't issue the stamp unless my extension has already expired, or I need to travel immediately. This may affect other people going to get a stamp. 

 

Also he confirmed what we were talking about earlier - the one year extension is to the date on your GC, not the date on your NOA. 

[MyHeartWillGoOn93 8]

Just now, SachaAndIain said:

Just drove out to Buffalo for an infopass appointment. Very easy process, apart from the drive. I was in and out in 15 minutes. Turns out I got approved on the 10th, letter is on it's way.

 

Couple of important data points: because I'm already approved, they won't issue the stamp unless my extension has already expired, or I need to travel immediately. This may affect other people going to get a stamp. 

 

Also he confirmed what we were talking about earlier - the one year extension is to the date on your GC, not the date on your NOA. 

Thank you. But will I get in to trouble if I try to get a stamp after the one year extension expires?

[nightingalejules 678]

3 minutes ago, MyHeartWillGoOn93 said:

Thank you. But will I get in to trouble if I try to get a stamp after the one year extension expires?

No, you can get the stamp 30 days before the one year anniversary of your green card expiry (which is the end of your extension) or any time after that but before you are approved for your new card. You won't get in trouble because you are still in status throughout the whole process.

[MyHeartWillGoOn93 8]

29 minutes ago, nightingalejules said:

No, you can get the stamp 30 days before the one year anniversary of your green card expiry (which is the end of your extension) or any time after that but before you are approved for your new card. You won't get in trouble because you are still in status throughout the whole process.

Thank you!

[MyHeartWillGoOn93 8]

38 minutes ago, SachaAndIain said:

Just drove out to Buffalo for an infopass appointment. Very easy process, apart from the drive. I was in and out in 15 minutes. Turns out I got approved on the 10th, letter is on it's way.

 

Couple of important data points: because I'm already approved, they won't issue the stamp unless my extension has already expired, or I need to travel immediately. This may affect other people going to get a stamp. 

 

Also he confirmed what we were talking about earlier - the one year extension is to the date on your GC, not the date on your NOA. 

Vermont Service Center (54 Applicants, 4 Approved - 7.4 %)

VJName............Date of I-751....NOA1 Date........Biometrics....Approved
MARIE&CURT..........04/01/16.......04/05/16.........05/03/16......--/--/--
VIRJI1988...........04/01/16.......04/05/16.........04/29/16......--/--/--

ATL2012.............04/01/16.......04/09/16.........04/27/16......--/--/--
FANIA&NELSON........04/04/16.......04/06/16.........05/06/16......03/20/17
GASOLINE2805........04/04/16.......04/07/16.........05/20/16......--/--/--
PSV57...............04/06/16.......04/11/16.........06/01/16......--/--/--
BOS_LHR.............04/06/16.......04/07/16.........05/16/16......--/--/--
NOBBIE..............04/07/16.......04/12/16.........06/01/16......--/--/--

SCOFF...............04/08/16.......04/11/16.........--/--/--......--/--/--
VTJOSEPH............04/08/16.......04/11/16.........05/27/16......--/--/--
AZABU234............04/08/16.......04/12/16.........06/03/16......--/--/--

MCUZIN1985..........04/09/16.......04/14/16.........05/31/16......--/--/--

COWFACE.............04/09/16.......04/12/16.........05/31/16......--/--/--

JSC N GOM...........04/11/16.......04/16/16.........06/03/16......04/05/17

SACHAANDIAIN........04/11/16.......04/14/16.........06/16/16......04/10/17
THE_WAITING_GAME....04/11/16.......05/16/16.........06/20/16......--/--/--

J86SCHROEDER........04/11/16.......05/06/16.........--/--/--......--/--/--
RAJ101..............04/11/16.......04/12/16.........05/31/16......--/--/--

HITZ................04/11/16.......04/20/16.........05/05/16......--/--/--
MYRNA87.............04/12/16.......05/03/16.........05/31/16......--/--/--
FODU................04/12/16.......04/15/16.........06/02/16......--/--/--
SHARONGILMORE.......04/12/16.......04/15/16.........06/03/16......--/--/--
BALMORAL............04/12/16.......04/18/16.........06/09/16......--/--/--
PRECIOUSHEART1......04/12/16.......04/14/16.........06/03/16......--/--/--
REMOTECONTROL.......04/13/16.......04/15/16.........06/06/16......--/--/--

MIKE ESP............04/14/16.......04/18/16.........--/--/--......--/--/--
SKRIBS..............04/14/16.......04/18/16.........06/14/16......03/31/17
KTERO...............04/15/16.......04/19/16.........06/09/16......--/--/--
YELU1988............04/15/16.......04/18/16.........06/06/16......--/--/--
MYHEARTWILLGOON93...04/18/16.......04/21/16.........06/06/16......--/--/--
NAN2................04/19/16.......04/25/16.........06/07/16......--/--/--
VANY_DC.............04/19/16.......05/25/16.........06/10/16......--/--/--

PAIGECHARLOTTE......04/19/16.......04/21/16.........06/09/16......--/--/--
GITSIE..............04/20/16.......04/20/16.........06/08/16......--/--/--
TKDWLS0131..........04/20/16.......04/25/16.........06/10/16......--/--/--
MAGDA_PEARL.........04/20/16.......04/22/16.........06/10/16......--/--/--
KAWAIIAKUREI06......04/21/16.......04/25/16.........05/27/16......--/--/--
ANGELBIJOI..........04/21/16.......05/16/16.........06/26/16......--/--/--
PILI................04/21/16.......04/22/16.........06/08/16......--/--/--
MOMENTS12...........04/21/16.......04/26/16.........06/07/16......--/--/--
SUKIE...............04/22/16.......04/25/16.........06/10/16......--/--/--
TALHA_MK............04/22/16.......04/26/16.........06/09/16......--/--/--
ARIENDJ.............04/23/16.......04/27/16.........06/07/16......--/--/--

PRIVATE ONE.........04/23/16.......04/26/16.........06/10/16......--/--/--
CHRIS_B.............04/24/16.......05/17/16.........06/08/16......--/--/--
NYC-AND-INDIA.......04/25/16.......04/29/16.........06/14/16......--/--/--
BUESO...............04/25/16.......04/27/16.........06/06/16......--/--/--

G909090.............04/25/16.......--/--/--.........--/--/--......--/--/--
ST.JAMES -ONE.......04/25/16.......04/27/16.........06/09/16......--/--/--
HONEYPIE84..........04/26/16.......05/02/16.........06/15/16......--/--/--
LUCYBELLE...........04/27/16.......04/29/16.........06/20/16......--/--/--
OKAMIMARS...........04/27/16.......04/29/16.........06/14/16......--/--/--

CHRUKA..............04/27/16.......--/--/--.........--/--/--......--/--/--
OSITOCOCO...........04/29/16.......05/02/16.........06/21/16......--/--/--

[gitsie 0]

7 hours ago, MyHeartWillGoOn93 said:

Every time I go to the infopass website, it says that there are no available appointments and sometimes it shows just one date and time and not for "the next 2 weeks" like it claims. Why is this? My GC anniversary is May 6th and I'm hoping to book an appointment the Monday before then.

I went for infopass in Boston this morning.  I am going back to UK for a few days in May and again in July. My GC extension expires mid July.  The officer was very nice and reassuring but saying that I wouldn't get a stamp unless it was 3 weeks to go and I needed to travel or I was approved but had not yet received 10yr card and needed to travel (and so therefore was not eligible to travel on the extension letter).  But she was very firm on the fact that until a decision was made I WAS allowed to travel on the extension letter even though its expiry was imminent. She said there was some confusion amongst officers about conditional residence for entrepreneurs vs conditional residence based on marriage and that, if questioned, I should emphasise that I fell into the latter category.

 

She also told me my case had been assigned to an officer 2 days ago, but it was likely that mine was bundled with a bunch of others and so I should expect to hear back in the next couple of weeks. It was nice to know that I'm not in a black hole with no info.  She also said this would have been the first time anyone had looked at my case.

[Nay56 0]

23 minutes ago, gitsie said:

I went for infopass in Boston this morning.  I am going back to UK for a few days in May and again in July. My GC extension expires mid July.  The officer was very nice and reassuring but saying that I wouldn't get a stamp unless it was 3 weeks to go and I needed to travel or I was approved but had not yet received 10yr card and needed to travel (and so therefore was not eligible to travel on the extension letter).  But she was very firm on the fact that until a decision was made I WAS allowed to travel on the extension letter even though its expiry was imminent. She said there was some confusion amongst officers about conditional residence for entrepreneurs vs conditional residence based on marriage and that, if questioned, I should emphasise that I fell into the latter category.

 

She also told me my case had been assigned to an officer 2 days ago, but it was likely that mine was bundled with a bunch of others and so I should expect to hear back in the next couple of weeks. It was nice to know that I'm not in a black hole with no info.  She also said this would have been the first time anyone had looked at my case.

Now I'm worried. I had made an appointment for today weeks ago, but cancelled because of the 30 day window, and I didn't think I was gonna get a stamp, so i booked a ticket to go see my mom, but yesterday I got my approval letter [status online hasn't changed] and I'm leaving Monday only for a few days, I'm re entering by foot and I am worried they will give me a hard time. I spoke to an agent today and she said I should be fine if I bring extension letter, approval letter and expired GC. 

 

what would have happened had I left before getting my approval letter? I wouldn't know until attempting to re enter. 

 

Also, I read in the January board that one person was told by an agent that the expiration of the letter is the date that's on the letter, this was when the person was getting a stamp, apparently her/his status was already expired in the system, meaning before the GC date. So confusing. 

 

I'm hoping my card shows up between tomorrow and Saturday. 

[gitsie 0]

3 minutes ago, Nay56 said:

Now I'm worried. I had made an appointment for today weeks ago, but cancelled because of the 30 day window, and I didn't think I was gonna get a stamp, so i booked a ticket to go see my mom, but yesterday I got my approval letter [status online hasn't changed] and I'm leaving Monday only for a few days, I'm re entering by foot and I am worried they will give me a hard time. I spoke to an agent today and she said I should be fine if I bring extension letter, approval letter and expired GC. 

 

what would have happened had I left before getting my approval letter? I wouldn't know until attempting to re enter. 

 

Also, I read in the January board that one person was told by an agent that the expiration of the letter is the date that's on the letter, this was when the person was getting a stamp, apparently her/his status was already expired in the system, meaning before the GC date. So confusing. 

 

I'm hoping my card shows up between tomorrow and Saturday. 

I asked what would happen if the approval happens while I'm away, she said that wouldn't be a problem as they'd see I was away.  She also confirmed that the extension was a 1 year extension of my green card.

 

If I was in your shoes, I would feel okay - you got approved and you have ample evidence to show you've gone through the correct procedure.  Does anyone else think it's a problem/heard of someone else in this predicament that was turned away with full approval?

[Sukie 1,464]

1 hour ago, gitsie said:

I asked what would happen if the approval happens while I'm away, she said that wouldn't be a problem as they'd see I was away.  She also confirmed that the extension was a 1 year extension of my green card.

 

If I was in your shoes, I would feel okay - you got approved and you have ample evidence to show you've gone through the correct procedure.  Does anyone else think it's a problem/heard of someone else in this predicament that was turned away with full approval?

I think if you have your Green Card and extension letter and approval letter AND YOUR BOARDING PASS from when you left the US, you should be OK.  Keep that boarding pass as proof that you left the US on a certain date, and your 10-year card had not yet arrived.  Most people are saying it took about a week between the approval letter and the green card arriving.

 

Also - it appears that you CAN get a stamp in your passport earlier than the magic "30 days" if you bring proof that you are traveling.  I hope so, as this MIGHT be our scenario.

 

I'm excited that April is starting to see some movement.  It's about d@mned time.

 

Sukie in NY

[Skribs 6]

On 4/12/2017 at 3:56 PM, nightingalejules said:

Good for you! Congratulations!

Thank you!

 

On 4/12/2017 at 10:49 PM, Private One said:

Congratulations Skribs! 

That's amazing getting approved so quickly with a waiver case. You must have had compelling evidence.

Thanks! Yes, I actually looked back over it again and my covering letter was 4 pages long with the bullet points of all the items I had included. My ex-husband and I did have substantial financial ties during our marriage and in addition many mutual friends/family members and my ex-husband himself wrote sworn affidavits to confirm the genuine nature of our relationship up until it ended so I guess the combination must have clinched it. We did not have any children together either so that was not a factor. Still, I did not expect any response before many cases where the spouses are still married as for so many on this forum. I find it interesting that it was neither delayed nor was I called for an interview. Anyway, I wish all the best to all of you still waiting!

[Skribs 6]

On 4/12/2017 at 3:56 PM, nightingalejules said:

Good for you! Congratulations!

Thank you!

 

On 4/12/2017 at 10:49 PM, Private One said:

Congratulations Skribs! 

That's amazing getting approved so quickly with a waiver case. You must have had compelling evidence.

Thanks! Yes, I actually looked back over it again and my covering letter was 4 pages long with the bullet points of all the items I had included. My ex-husband and I did have substantial financial ties during our marriage and in addition many mutual friends/family members and my ex-husband himself wrote sworn affidavits to confirm the genuine nature of our relationship up until it ended so I guess the combination must have clinched it. We did not have any children together either so that was not a factor. Still, I did not expect any response before many cases where the spouses are still married as for so many on this forum. I find it interesting that it was neither delayed nor was I called for an interview. Anyway, I wish all the best to all of you still waiting!

[Nay56 0]

I went to get an infopass appointment in Boston this morning. Honestly I don't know get how we can hear different things from different officers. 

 

I got my approval letter Wednesday, and since I am traveling Monday I sssume I would need the stamp- the lady wouldn't give me to me because I'm already approved, even through she didn't listen when I said I was approved, she thought I only had my extension letter. She told me to wait for the card in the mail and then she asked if I had my biometrics done because the system she was looking at didn't show I had them done! She then went check different system and it was all good. She ended up giving me a stamp until May 13th because the card isn't in production yet. I don't understand why she gave me a stamp for such short time, though. I assume she thinks I'll get the card before then . 

 

One thing i forgot to ask her- my passport name is different from my married name on my GC, does this matter? She kept my old card. She said to bring those notices when I cross the border in Mexico/California and to expect questions. 

 

Oof. 

Edited April 14, 2017 by Nay56