I-751 May 2017 Filers

[Kitti 65]

17 hours ago, Lemon23 said:

OP submitted N-400 application before the approval of I-751. We're on the same group for N-400, June Filers. 

Me,too.

[THG 35]

On 7/3/2018 at 5:32 PM, curiousgeorgina said:

it's getting a bit frustrating.. I haven't gotten any status update yet.. anyone from VSC still waiting?

Same here...

Quite anxious sometimes

[Southshore79 12]

11 hours ago, THG said:

Same here...

Quite anxious sometimes

I really did not expect this. It’s  disappointing and really nerve wracking.

[Ksenia_O 696]

On 7/4/2018 at 1:14 AM, Tina and Johan said:

 

This is good information to have!  thanks for this post. 

 

You are very welcome!

 

Yes, the start of our I-751 was kind of "rocky"  And dealing with that "customer" line was a pain ... until I got that guy on hold - I wish I remembered his name. He was just amazing and very helpful!  

 

But it's alright. We will make it through, eventually, right?

 

 

[Ksenia_O 696]

On 7/3/2018 at 8:31 PM, stomo said:

So I called them back and got a different Tier 2 agent.  She was MUCH more helpful.  She said usually the approval/green card is issued after the parent (like you said) and she would check.  She checked and it showed that her approval letter was issued, even though we haven't received it.  It also showed her Green Card had been produced and she gave me the tracking number!!!  Although the tracking number is showing that it is with our Post Office distribution center...and it has been there since mine was there as well (June 30)....she couldn't tell me any more as it's now with the post office.  Due to the holiday tomorrow, there is nothing I can do until Thursday.  But the good thing is you were totally right and the first agent was TOTALLY wrong and worried me for nothing.  How can an agent not know what information they are supposed to give.  It's crazy.  

 

In regards to the N400.  I applied online June 14, BEFORE I got my approval.  I could have done it at the end of May and I was going to wait but changed my mind.   And my I-751 approval came June 26.   So I really don't know if it made a difference but I think my file was probably on the desk of a I-751 agent by the time I filed the N400.

 

I just cannot wait for this process to all be done.  Like most of us!!  

 

Good luck!!! 

Hi.... Have you already been at the Post Office?... Do hope everything worked out well and daughter's green card got pick up..

[KYUK 7]

On 7/3/2018 at 8:32 PM, curiousgeorgina said:

it's getting a bit frustrating.. I haven't gotten any status update yet.. anyone from VSC still waiting?

We are also waiting.  VSC -  May 23rd

[bellejimmy 10]

1 hour ago, KYUK said:

We are also waiting.  VSC -  May 23rd

Also waiting. VSC - May 24

[gc@gc 184]

1 hour ago, bellejimmy said:

Also waiting. VSC - May 24

 

they dont really follow "first come first serve" rule,  i saw so many cases filed after yours have been approved after. we received the card as well 

[Comic 66]

I just sent back the request information for my RFE. Does anyone know how long after I should see a status update or even hear back from USCIS about my case? 

[curiousgeorgina 52]

45 minutes ago, Comic said:

I just sent back the request information for my RFE. Does anyone know how long after I should see a status update or even hear back from USCIS about my case? 

what kind of RFE did they ask you?

[Comic 66]

2 minutes ago, curiousgeorgina said:

what kind of RFE did they ask you?

It was a RFE for my evidence tying us more financially 

[frontgear 194]

On 7/4/2018 at 2:51 AM, THG said:

For those who have already filed N-400 online, I have a question about submitting the Green Card copy if you haven't got I-751 approved yet.

 

Do you submit 

1) The expired 2-yr green ;

 or / and 2) The extension letter;

or / and 3)  I-515 stamp?

 

Thanks ahead!

We just submitted a copy of the expired I-551 GC; did not submit a copy of the extension letter.

[khano1 22]

I am a CSC filer and like everyone else I am waiting patiently for the I-751 approval. I had my infopass appointment yesterday and would like to share my experience with you all. I took the required documents with me like my NOA, expired conditional status GC, and passport. To be on the safe side I took many other documents to show proof of bonafide marriage if asked. My wife and 3-year old daughter (both US citizens) accompanied me to the appointment.

Went to the USCIS field office 45 minutes before the scheduled appointment time. Went through a security check (no issue taking cell phone), got to the ticket counter, picked up a ticket and was asked to wait for the ticket number to display in the screen. In few minutes my ticket number was displayed (25 minutes before our original appointment time). Here is the conversation we had…

Officer: Good afternoon. How can I help you?

(I gave her my NOA letter that had 12 months extension and the expired conditional GC)

Me: I have a conditional residency and applied for I-751 in early May of 2017. I checked my application status online and it says that my case was transferred to local office in March but no update since. I am concerned what’s next since my extension expires end of July this year.

Officer: Do not worry. We have been going through internal system changes and that is why most I-751 cases are experiencing unexpected longer that normal processing time. The processing times may take another 6-8 months or more but not guaranteed. I see that you brought your passport with you. I will give you 12 months extension and you can continue to work and travel. (I didn’t even mention about work/travel)

Me: That would be very helpful.

She took my passport and stamped I-551.

Me: Am I eligible to apply for N400?

Officer: Let me check. Yes you are eligible.

Me: How is this going to work? My I-751 is pending. If I apply for N400, is it going to create longer delay for both to get approved? Should I wait for I751 approval before submitting N400 application?

Officer: No it should not create any additional delay. Our processing time have increased due to the reason I discussed. You don't want to create more delay for yourself, do you. (She gave me a strong indication to go ahead and apply N-400 soon but didn’t want to say it).

Me: This is probably not a very smart question to ask and also not sure if you guys are the right person to answer this question but thought I would ask. Can I travel to Canada or Mexico with my current I-551 visa stamp on passport? Do I need a Canadian or Mexican visa to travel?

Officer: This is a good question. Let me check. Yes, you can travel. We have treaty with both the countries. You do not need Canadian or Mexican visa. You can travel with your passport and show your stamped I-751 at the airport or border.

Me: Thank you so much for your help. Really appreciate it.

Officer: You are welcome. One more thing. If you do not get any update with your case by next year, please feel free to schedule another infopass appointment in the future and we will be happy to give you another extension. However, I expect you guys to get an update on your case and probably with good news by then. Enjoy the day and please do not worry.

Few key things-

• They take away your conditional GC.

• The I-551 extension begins from the day you had your infopass appointment and expires 1 year (or the duration you are granted) from that day.

• The whole process took about 30-45 minutes including security check, going to the ticket counter to check in, and the appointment with the immigration officer.

• I had a pleasant experience.

Edited July 6, 2018 by khano1

[raintintin 15]

17 minutes ago, khano1 said:

I am a CSC filer and like everyone else I am waiting patiently for the I-751 approval. I had my infopass appointment yesterday and would like to share my experience with you all. I took the required documents with me like my NOA, expired conditional status GC, and passport. To be on the safe side I took many other documents to show proof of bonafide marriage if asked. My wife and 3-year old daughter (both US citizens) accompanied me to the appointment.

Went to the USCIS field office 45 minutes before the scheduled appointment time. Went through a security check (no issue taking cell phone), got to the ticket counter, picked up a ticket and was asked to wait for the ticket number to display in the screen. In few minutes my ticket number was displayed (25 minutes before our original appointment time). Here is the conversation we had…

Officer: Good afternoon. How can I help you?

(I gave her my NOA letter that had 12 months extension and the expired conditional GC)

Me: I have a conditional residency and applied for I-751 in early May of 2017. I checked my application status online and it says that my case was transferred to local office in March but no update since. I am concerned what’s next since my extension expires end of July this year.

Officer: Do not worry. We have been going through internal system changes and that is why most I-751 cases are experiencing unexpected longer that normal processing time. The processing times may take another 6-8 months or more but not guaranteed. I see that you brought your passport with you. I will give you 12 months extension and you can continue to work and travel. (I didn’t even mention about work/travel)

Me: That would be very helpful.

She took my passport and stamped I-551.

Me: Am I eligible to apply for N400?

Officer: Let me check. Yes you are eligible.

Me: How is this going to work? My I-751 is pending. If I apply for N400, is it going to create longer delay for both to get approved? Should I wait for I751 approval before submitting N400 application?

Officer: No it should not create any additional delay. Our processing time have increased due to the reason I discussed. You don't want to create more delay for yourself, do you. (She gave me a strong indication to go ahead and apply N-400 soon but didn’t want to say it).

Me: This is probably not a very smart question to ask and also not sure if you guys are the right person to answer this question but thought I would ask. Can I travel to Canada or Mexico with my current I-551 visa stamp on passport? Do I need a Canadian or Mexican visa to travel?

Officer: This is a good question. Let me check. Yes, you can travel. We have treaty with both the countries. You do not need Canadian or Mexican visa. You can travel with your passport and show your stamped I-751 at the airport or border.

Me: Thank you so much for your help. Really appreciate it.

Officer: You are welcome. One more thing. If you do not get any update with your case by next year, please feel free to schedule another infopass appointment in the future and we will be happy to give you another extension. However, I expect you guys to get an update on your case and probably with good news by then. Enjoy the day and please do not worry.

Few key things-

• They take away your conditional GC.

• The I-551 extension begins from the day you had your infopass appointment and expires 1 year (or the duration you are granted) from that day.

• The whole process took about 30-45 minutes including security check, going to the ticket counter to check in, and the appointment with the immigration officer.

• I had a pleasant experience.

This is great to hear! I have an infopass coming up exactly for the same reason, and this is very reassuring! I think I might go for the N400 now, thank you for posting this.

[Ksenia_O 696]

2 hours ago, khano1 said:

I am a CSC filer and like everyone else I am waiting patiently for the I-751 approval. I had my infopass appointment yesterday and would like to share my experience with you all. I took the required documents with me like my NOA, expired conditional status GC, and passport. To be on the safe side I took many other documents to show proof of bonafide marriage if asked. My wife and 3-year old daughter (both US citizens) accompanied me to the appointment.

Went to the USCIS field office 45 minutes before the scheduled appointment time. Went through a security check (no issue taking cell phone), got to the ticket counter, picked up a ticket and was asked to wait for the ticket number to display in the screen. In few minutes my ticket number was displayed (25 minutes before our original appointment time). Here is the conversation we had…

Officer: Good afternoon. How can I help you?

(I gave her my NOA letter that had 12 months extension and the expired conditional GC)

Me: I have a conditional residency and applied for I-751 in early May of 2017. I checked my application status online and it says that my case was transferred to local office in March but no update since. I am concerned what’s next since my extension expires end of July this year.

Officer: Do not worry. We have been going through internal system changes and that is why most I-751 cases are experiencing unexpected longer that normal processing time. The processing times may take another 6-8 months or more but not guaranteed. I see that you brought your passport with you. I will give you 12 months extension and you can continue to work and travel. (I didn’t even mention about work/travel)

Me: That would be very helpful.

She took my passport and stamped I-551.

Me: Am I eligible to apply for N400?

Officer: Let me check. Yes you are eligible.

Me: How is this going to work? My I-751 is pending. If I apply for N400, is it going to create longer delay for both to get approved? Should I wait for I751 approval before submitting N400 application?

Officer: No it should not create any additional delay. Our processing time have increased due to the reason I discussed. You don't want to create more delay for yourself, do you. (She gave me a strong indication to go ahead and apply N-400 soon but didn’t want to say it).

Me: This is probably not a very smart question to ask and also not sure if you guys are the right person to answer this question but thought I would ask. Can I travel to Canada or Mexico with my current I-551 visa stamp on passport? Do I need a Canadian or Mexican visa to travel?

Officer: This is a good question. Let me check. Yes, you can travel. We have treaty with both the countries. You do not need Canadian or Mexican visa. You can travel with your passport and show your stamped I-751 at the airport or border.

Me: Thank you so much for your help. Really appreciate it.

Officer: You are welcome. One more thing. If you do not get any update with your case by next year, please feel free to schedule another infopass appointment in the future and we will be happy to give you another extension. However, I expect you guys to get an update on your case and probably with good news by then. Enjoy the day and please do not worry.

Few key things-

• They take away your conditional GC.

• The I-551 extension begins from the day you had your infopass appointment and expires 1 year (or the duration you are granted) from that day.

• The whole process took about 30-45 minutes including security check, going to the ticket counter to check in, and the appointment with the immigration officer.

• I had a pleasant experience.

Thanks for sharing!!