Traveling on Extension Letter?

[OldUser 6,455]

50 minutes ago, nyoleg said:

i travel with stamp I-551 in my passport, never had any problems

This thread is about expired greencard and extension letter for I-751. I-551 stamp is another beast, but thank you for your input.

Edited December 17, 2022 by OldUser

[Ronnie12345 7]

Apologies if this was answered before.

In various posts I've seen there are I-551 stamp...a stamp on your passport to extend you GC while waiting for the I-751, correct?

 

Is that still a thing? How do I get one?

[OldUser 6,455]

1 hour ago, Ronnie12345 said:

Apologies if this was answered before.

In various posts I've seen there are I-551 stamp...a stamp on your passport to extend you GC while waiting for the I-751, correct?

 

Is that still a thing? How do I get one?

Call USCIS and get an info pass appointment. Yes, it's a stamp in passport, only needed if you lost green card / I-751 extension letter or letter expired.

Edited December 22, 2022 by OldUser

[updown 18]

On 12/7/2022 at 6:42 PM, updown said:

My green card expired in April 2021, but I have a 24 month extension letter and valid UK passport. I'm flying to the UK for Christmas and coming back to the US, both flights with Virgin Atlantic.

The trip was a success!

 

When flying back to the US from London Heathrow, Virgin Atlantic wouldn't let me complete online check-in (no bother though), so I went to the counter and they were happy with the documents. I took: UK Passport, Expired US Green Card, USCIS Extension Letter, and US Marriage Certificate. 

 

When I arrived back in the States, I went through Global Entry and the officer asked to see and check my USCIS Extension Letter. It was very quick and they were satisfied. 

 

Happy holidays and Happy New Year all!  🎉 

[OldUser 6,455]

Canada now allows US LPRs entering the country without eTA. Valid passport + expired GC + I-751 extension letter is all you need to enter Canada.

 

My experience is below.

Flight #1 (got cancelled due to weather).

Obviously, could not check in online or using machines. Had to see a human.

The airline agent took a while checking my GC, extension letter, could not do the math for 24 month extension and was generally confused. Asked her manager help, who sorted it out.

 

Flight #2 (successful one).

Ironically, the agent who checked me in and was super knowledgable and quick worked at Pet Check-In desk.

 

Upon arrival in Canada, went through automated system (passport scanned and photo taken). The border control officer neither was interested in seeing my passport nor green card. Just asked for the purpose of my visit. That's it. To be continued...

 

 

 

[Mike E 11,739]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

machines. Had to see a human.

The airline agent took a while checking my GC, extension letter, could not do the math for 24 month extension and was generally confused

Wow you got a winner. 
 

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

Upon arrival in Canada, went through automated system (passport scanned and photo taken). The border control officer neither was interested in seeing my passport nor green card. Just asked for the purpose of my visit.

Did you use the ArriveCAN’t app?

 

 

[OldUser 6,455]

8 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Wow you got a winner. 
 

Did you use the ArriveCAN’t app?

 

 

No, but I'll give it a try next time.

[Mike E 11,739]

27 minutes ago, OldUser said:

No, but I'll give it a try next time.

No no.  It needs to die. I was just curious. 

[Vpanda85 45]

23 hours ago, updown said:

When I arrived back in the States, I went through Global Entry and the officer asked to see and check my USCIS Extension Letter. It was very quick and they were satisfied.

What document did you use at the Global Entry kiosk? When I tried to use my expired green card, it wouldn't accept it. So I have been going through the regular lines. 

[Mike E 11,739]

6 minutes ago, Vpanda85 said:

What document did you use at the Global Entry kiosk? When I tried to use my expired green card, it wouldn't accept it. So I have been going through the regular lines. 

Some if not most modern GE kiosks reportedly are facial recognition only or facial recognition primary. Thus, reportedly they don’t need a green card to accept an LPR.  
 

 I  have GE but my wife doesn’t so I haven’t used GE in years.  I have however used  the general kiosks at Miami cruise port and they just wanted my face (U.S. citizen) and my wife’s face (green card).  

[updown 18]

21 minutes ago, Vpanda85 said:

What document did you use at the Global Entry kiosk? When I tried to use my expired green card, it wouldn't accept it. So I have been going through the regular lines. 

I had my UK Passport in hand, Global Entry Card and Expired Green Card, but I arrived at LAX and the kiosks there use facial recognition. I was flagged to see the officer as they must've known my GC has expired, so they asked to see the letter (which was also in my hand). 

 

It's exactly as Mike E said too 👇 

 

12 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Some if not most modern GE kiosks reportedly are facial recognition only or facial recognition primary. Thus, reportedly they don’t need a green card to accept an LPR.  
 

 I  have GE but my wife doesn’t so I haven’t used GE in years.  I have however used  the general kiosks at Miami cruise port and they just wanted my face (U.S. citizen) and my wife’s face (green card).  

 

[anon_G 2]

Has anyone travelled to Costa Rica with Expired Greencard and the I-751 Receipt Extension letter?

 

Their Consulate website mentions that anyone with a valid US visa does not require Costa Rica travel visa but in the fine print, they had mentioned that the Green card should be valid at least for 3 months and receipt notice extensions are not accepted. Just wanted to see if anyone had experienced this scenario

[Marie & Alexander 22]

Has anyone been able to enter Mexico with the expired green card and extension letter? I know about some airlines not accepting it to enter Mexico but I would do it by land. Any insight will help!

[OldUser 6,455]

23 minutes ago, Marie & Alexander said:

Has anyone been able to enter Mexico with the expired green card and extension letter? I know about some airlines not accepting it to enter Mexico but I would do it by land. Any insight will help!

I hope extension letter is still valid? If so, should be fine. 

 

Also see this thread

 

 

[Mike E 11,739]

4 hours ago, Marie & Alexander said:

Has anyone been able to enter Mexico with the expired green card and extension letter? I know about some airlines not accepting it to enter Mexico but I would do it by land. Any insight will help!

We’ve done it a couple times by land.  
 

At the land port where we entered on foot (Nogales) there was  no passport / document check entering Mexico both times.   On return to the U.S., CBP checked for green card and extension letter. 
 

If you drive in, I suppose it is  a different story. Not an option for us. Our auto insurance doesn’t let us  drive into Mexico, and I wouldn’t do that regardless.