June 2017 I-751 filers

[aesp 5]

Figured I would share a bit of my process just in case anyone is wondering about the 551 stamp/extension letter or losing documents while out of the country:

 

Greencard expired in September 2017. Mailed my ROC around June and USCIS received it on  July 3. VSC filer. I travel out of the country extensively for work and never had an issue using my extension letter, even gusing the global entry line. Funny enough, my documents (along with all my belongings) were stolen while I was in Mexico City so that was fun. No passport, expired green card or extension letter. Anyway, got that all sorted out and was able to travel back to the US with what they call a "Transportation Letter" (a document that basically allows you to board a plane and have CBP process you without a document). Made an infopass appointment here in Virginia, explained my situation and was hoping they could expedite my case so that I can have a document to prove I am a PR. Naturally they just told me to sit tight, gave me a I551 stamp valid until May 2019 and did tell me that anytime I enter they were going to take a bit more to process me (just recently entered through O'hare from Mexico and had to be there for 1 hour). No problem at the end. Girl at the infopass appointment told me that right now (that was a month ago) they are looking at April cases and they will get to us (June filers) around June or July. So hoping something happens soon. I check this forum and the USCIS website quite often. 

 

Good luck to everyone

[JayMain626 21]

What website and information do people use to check there status feeling like we should be hearing something soon.

 

thanks in advance

[JayMain626 21]

sorry i guess i found it, case was last updated in march says that it is at my local office. does that mean its nearly over ha

[mrs thb 331]

53 minutes ago, aesp said:

Figured I would share a bit of my process just in case anyone is wondering about the 551 stamp/extension letter or losing documents while out of the country:

 

Greencard expired in September 2017. Mailed my ROC around June and USCIS received it on  July 3. VSC filer. I travel out of the country extensively for work and never had an issue using my extension letter, even gusing the global entry line. Funny enough, my documents (along with all my belongings) were stolen while I was in Mexico City so that was fun. No passport, expired green card or extension letter. Anyway, got that all sorted out and was able to travel back to the US with what they call a "Transportation Letter" (a document that basically allows you to board a plane and have CBP process you without a document). Made an infopass appointment here in Virginia, explained my situation and was hoping they could expedite my case so that I can have a document to prove I am a PR. Naturally they just told me to sit tight, gave me a I551 stamp valid until May 2019 and did tell me that anytime I enter they were going to take a bit more to process me (just recently entered through O'hare from Mexico and had to be there for 1 hour). No problem at the end. Girl at the infopass appointment told me that right now (that was a month ago) they are looking at April cases and they will get to us (June filers) around June or July. So hoping something happens soon. I check this forum and the USCIS website quite often. 

 

Good luck to everyone

This is excellent news for VSC filers.....wondering why that stamp is valid til May 2019?  Is your stamp dated?

[Lettyana 70]

1 hour ago, mrs thb said:

This is excellent news for VSC filers.....wondering why that stamp is valid til May 2019?  Is your stamp dated?

The stamp is valid for one year from the date you got it. For example, I got mine on June 6, 2018 and it's valid until June 5, 2019.

[mrs thb 331]

3 hours ago, aesp said:

Figured I would share a bit of my process just in case anyone is wondering about the 551 stamp/extension letter or losing documents while out of the country:

 

Greencard expired in September 2017. Mailed my ROC around June and USCIS received it on  July 3. VSC filer. I travel out of the country extensively for work and never had an issue using my extension letter, even gusing the global entry line. Funny enough, my documents (along with all my belongings) were stolen while I was in Mexico City so that was fun. No passport, expired green card or extension letter. Anyway, got that all sorted out and was able to travel back to the US with what they call a "Transportation Letter" (a document that basically allows you to board a plane and have CBP process you without a document). Made an infopass appointment here in Virginia, explained my situation and was hoping they could expedite my case so that I can have a document to prove I am a PR. Naturally they just told me to sit tight, gave me a I551 stamp valid until May 2019 and did tell me that anytime I enter they were going to take a bit more to process me (just recently entered through O'hare from Mexico and had to be there for 1 hour). No problem at the end. Girl at the infopass appointment told me that right now (that was a month ago) they are looking at April cases and they will get to us (June filers) around June or July. So hoping something happens soon. I check this forum and the USCIS website quite often. 

 

Good luck to everyone

 

19 minutes ago, Lettyana said:

The stamp is valid for one year from the date you got it. For example, I got mine on June 6, 2018 and it's valid until June 5, 2019.

If you read the above quoted post, you will see applicant's GC expires in September, hence my question remains.  Why May 2019 and not September 2019?  Poster's GC expires in September.

[pastorom 3]

8 minutes ago, mrs thb said:

 

If you read the above quoted post, you will see applicant's GC expires in September, hence my question remains.  Why May 2019 and not September 2019?  Poster's GC expires in September.

 

Because they got the I-551 stamp in May 2018. The GC expiration has no relevance the moment you get your passport stamped. If they hadn't lost their GC, and gotten it stamped in Aug 2018, the I-551 would expire in Aug 2019. 

[mrs thb 331]

46 minutes ago, pastorom said:

 

Because they got the I-551 stamp in May 2018. The GC expiration has no relevance the moment you get your passport stamped. If they hadn't lost their GC, and gotten it stamped in Aug 2018, the I-551 would expire in Aug 2019. 

Interesting to know.  I was under the impression the stamp extended the GC expiry date one additional year.  Guess not.  I'm sure I'm not the only one under this impression.  Thanks for clarifying this misnomer. 

[littleitaly 9]

36 minutes ago, mrs thb said:

Interesting to know.  I was under the impression the stamp extended the GC expiry date one additional year.  Guess not.  I'm sure I'm not the only one under this impression.  Thanks for clarifying this misnomer. 

It's 1 year from the date you actually got your stamp. I got my stamp on June 8 2018 and it's expiring on June 9 2019

[Leo7777 243]

6 hours ago, aesp said:

Figured I would share a bit of my process just in case anyone is wondering about the 551 stamp/extension letter or losing documents while out of the country:

 

Greencard expired in September 2017. Mailed my ROC around June and USCIS received it on  July 3. VSC filer. I travel out of the country extensively for work and never had an issue using my extension letter, even gusing the global entry line. Funny enough, my documents (along with all my belongings) were stolen while I was in Mexico City so that was fun. No passport, expired green card or extension letter. Anyway, got that all sorted out and was able to travel back to the US with what they call a "Transportation Letter" (a document that basically allows you to board a plane and have CBP process you without a document). Made an infopass appointment here in Virginia, explained my situation and was hoping they could expedite my case so that I can have a document to prove I am a PR. Naturally they just told me to sit tight, gave me a I551 stamp valid until May 2019 and did tell me that anytime I enter they were going to take a bit more to process me (just recently entered through O'hare from Mexico and had to be there for 1 hour). No problem at the end. Girl at the infopass appointment told me that right now (that was a month ago) they are looking at April cases and they will get to us (June filers) around June or July. So hoping something happens soon. I check this forum and the USCIS website quite often. 

 

Good luck to everyone

Thanks for posting this.

However, you left a HUGE item unanswered!!

Just how did you go about 'got that all sorted out and was able to travel with a Transportation Letter.'

That info could be one of the most important posts to show up here . . . in cases of lost documents while overseas.

It is my prior understanding that it is impossible to get replacement expired green card and extension letter . . . even while a person is still inside USA.

Yes, I know you didn't get replacement card or letter . . . but you got something just as good, for the purpose at hand.

And not even to mention that you didn't even have a passport either.

I do believe you, but must admit it sounds like a 'farfetched' story.

Imagine showing up at some official place outside USA with no passport, no green card, no extension letter . . . and yet getting something that allows boarding a plane !!!!!!!!!

So please tell us more.

Edited June 10, 2018 by Leo7777

[Leo7777 243]

3 hours ago, Lettyana said:

The stamp is valid for one year from the date you got it. For example, I got mine on June 6, 2018 and it's valid until June 5, 2019.

Based on what I have read here several times . . . this is not true, in general.

Others have reported getting stamp for 3 months, 6 months, etc.

All at the whim of the officer giving you the stamp.

[phem0r 16]

We filed I-751 on 6/4/17 and received I-797 NOA with Receipt Date of 6/8/17 with my 1 year extension. We received my I-797C NOA biometrics appointment letter dated 6/17/17 for an appointment on 7/3/17 which was completed.

 

My GC's 1 year extension expires on 8/11/18. At what point should i file for I-551 InfoPass stamp in my passport?

[aesp 5]

A few follow up:

 

1) Leo7777. I appreciate your 'farfetched' comment, but rest assured I got better things to do than making up stories. I am not a writer hence I am sure my post is not the most cogent one. I am just trying to shed some light on my case, so take it as it is and if you have questions just ask them, no need to qualify posts on random visajourney forums. 

1A) I had to get a new passport obviously. So first replace your passport, second deal with the US embassy. 

1B) The embassy gives you two copies of that transportation letter. One for the airline and one for the cbp officer. After that you land, make the line and the cbp officer will ask you to sit tight in the secondary revision. 

2) The transportation letter is valid for one (1) re-entry only and expires within 30 days. I had to book a return flight prior to my appointment in the embassy. 

3) I do not know why the officer decided to give me the I-551 stamp up until May 2019. Like someone else wrote in this post, it depends on the mood of the officer. Yes it is dated. I spoke to two immigration lawyers prior my infopass appointment (after making it back home, so infopass appointment was in VA) and they told me they could either stamp my passport for a year, 6 months or whenever. In this case, I ASSUME, the officer ASSUMED, my case should have been cleared by then and the stamp would not be needed anymore. 

 

 

14 hours ago, Leo7777 said:

Thanks for posting this.

However, you left a HUGE item unanswered!!

Just how did you go about 'got that all sorted out and was able to travel with a Transportation Letter.'

That info could be one of the most important posts to show up here . . . in cases of lost documents while overseas.

It is my prior understanding that it is impossible to get replacement expired green card and extension letter . . . even while a person is still inside USA.

Yes, I know you didn't get replacement card or letter . . . but you got something just as good, for the purpose at hand.

And not even to mention that you didn't even have a passport either.

I do believe you, but must admit it sounds like a 'farfetched' story.

Imagine showing up at some official place outside USA with no passport, no green card, no extension letter . . . and yet getting something that allows boarding a plane !!!!!!!!!

So please tell us more.

 

[mrs thb 331]

42 minutes ago, aesp said:

A few follow up:

 

1) Leo7777. I appreciate your 'farfetched' comment, but rest assured I got better things to do than making up stories. I am not a writer hence I am sure my post is not the most cogent one. I am just trying to shed some light on my case, so take it as it is and if you have questions just ask them, no need to qualify posts on random visajourney forums. 

1A) I had to get a new passport obviously. So first replace your passport, second deal with the US embassy. 

1B) The embassy gives you two copies of that transportation letter. One for the airline and one for the cbp officer. After that you land, make the line and the cbp officer will ask you to sit tight in the secondary revision. 

2) The transportation letter is valid for one (1) re-entry only and expires within 30 days. I had to book a return flight prior to my appointment in the embassy. 

3) I do not know why the officer decided to give me the I-551 stamp up until May 2019. Like someone else wrote in this post, it depends on the mood of the officer. Yes it is dated. I spoke to two immigration lawyers prior my infopass appointment (after making it back home, so infopass appointment was in VA) and they told me they could either stamp my passport for a year, 6 months or whenever. In this case, I ASSUME, the officer ASSUMED, my case should have been cleared by then and the stamp would not be needed anymore. 

 

 

 

Thank you kindly for an elaborate explanation as to the date on your stamp.  Thanks for answering my question and bringing clarity to us all.  

[mrs thb 331]

1 hour ago, phem0r said:

We filed I-751 on 6/4/17 and received I-797 NOA with Receipt Date of 6/8/17 with my 1 year extension. We received my I-797C NOA biometrics appointment letter dated 6/17/17 for an appointment on 7/3/17 which was completed.

 

My GC's 1 year extension expires on 8/11/18. At what point should i file for I-551 InfoPass stamp in my passport?

Now, especially since your GC date has passed.  I would be looking into making that infopass appt today.  Some offices are difficult to book so I'd begin to research it asap.  Other offices are easy and appts are usually  2 weeks out.  I'd begin to investigate your situation today.