Processing Times and What to Expect?

[KPea 0]

Hey everyone, I'm hoping someone can tell me about their experience with waiting for their I-751 to be processed and what happens after it is.

 

I had submitted my I-751 application package at the start of November 2016 to VSC, and my I-797 Notice of Action receipt date is 11/10/2016.

I had my biometrics appointment shortly after on 12/13/2016.

 

Looking at the current processing times on VisaJourney I see they are still working on February 2016 applications, so I am anxiously checking this regularly to see how quickly it moves until they reach November 2016. The reason I am feeling anxious is that we are trying to book flights to go spend Christmas with my family this year in Australia (hoping to stay for a month) and am afraid that I will not receive my 10-year green card before I leave. My 1-year extension on my expired conditional green card expires on January 31st 2018 and I am afraid if I try to return home to the U.S. close to this date they might not let me back in knowing it is expiring very soon, if I do not have a new green card in hand.

 

Obviously waiting till much closer to Christmas time to book my flight tickets will give me more time to be sure I receive the green card, but flights will just be getting more and more expensive.

 

What happens when it says that my November 2016 date is being processed? Does that mean they are only touching my application then? And that I still need to be available for an interview if called? Or if it says its processing my November 2016 date, thats when my card is being generated and I should be receiving it very soon?

 

Any help or advice greatly appreciated!

 

 

Edited February 11, 2017 by KPea

[Sukie 1,460]

At this point it is taking about 13-14 months for VSC to process.  Book your flights whenever you want to. 

 

If your green card has not arrived by the first of December, book an appointment at your local ASC (Brooklyn?  Manhattan) and get an I-551 renewal stamp in your passport.  Hopefully VSC will get on the ball (I'm an April 2016 filer and will be in your exact same boat next June) and get a little speedier.  But don't count on it.

 

You'll be OK.  (Waving at you right now from the Gold Coast!)

 

Sukie

[KPea 0]

Thanks Sukie, and waving back from a cold NY right now! 

 

Sounds like the I-551 Renewal Stamp is a more 'official' looking confirmation of extended 1 year conditional green card...so another piece of evidence. Do you know if the ASC will generally give me this stamp if I tell them my situation, or they're going to give me a hard time about it. I guess I would feel better having TWO pieces of evidence that it expires January 31st 2018, and that it should be fine as long as I'm back in the country before that (and assuming my new 10-year green card is waiting for me in the mail when I get back...)

 

How does that work then..if VSC is taking 13-14 months to process but the extension only lasts 1 year! Does that mean I would be out of status or they would send another extension..I guess I would be concerned leaving the country in the last month before my extension expires without my new green card. 

 

And, any idea when they would schedule the interview for if it is required? I'm worried about planning a big trip in Dec/Jan and then getting a letter right before I leave saying I'm required for an interview in Dec, or worse, if I'm already overseas and don't see the letter...