Travelling after filing removal of condition/ before expiration date on conditional Greencard

[LeFay 1]

Hello everyone!

 

Today I received a reminder from the USCIS saying that I may file for removal of conditions on my 2 year Greencard 90 days before the expiration date (Mine expires 10/24/2017).

In addition, I already have travel plans to go to Austria from the end of July to the end of August.

 

My questions now are: 

Can I file the removal of conditions before I leave the country?

Is the expiration date still valid after filing for a removal of conditions?

Or is it safer to apply after my travels? 

 

I want to get it done quickly, because my drivers license (NJ) expires in January 2018 and I really need it to work and study. 

Thank you  

 

 

[Lemon23 400]

just on the safe side I would suggest to file first before you leave if in case the airport immigration ask you if you file your i-751 and look for your NOA1 (extension letter of your conditional resident)

[DrEllaNJ 288]

The earliest date accepted is July 26, 2017. If the package gets there a day before, it will be sent back, so it's extremely important you don't file too early.

This is not going to be a quick process, I'm sorry to say - it takes most people about a year. So you'll have to apply for a new DL in January with the expired green card and the extension letter (which extends your green card by a year). They'll probably give you another DL only valid for a year or so (that is, if NJ gets around to passing a budget and reopening state services. )

You can also apply after your trip. However, it's important to do it as soon as possible because if your card expires before you get an extension letter, you're in trouble.

 

[mindthegap 2,590]

39 minutes ago, LeFay said:

Can I file the removal of conditions before I leave the country?

Yes.

 

39 minutes ago, LeFay said:

Is the expiration date still valid after filing for a removal of conditions?

Yes, until the end of the day on the date shown on the card.

 

39 minutes ago, LeFay said:

Or is it safer to apply after my travels? 

No, and given current Vermont processing times, you want to be getting the i-751 in as soon as eligible. Why add another three months when you don't have to?

 

39 minutes ago, LeFay said:

I want to get it done quickly, because my drivers license (NJ) expires in January 2018 and I really need it to work and study. 

 

Remember that you also have to fulfill the 6 point ID requirements every single time you renew, and the will only renew in accordance with the current proof of status - be it the initial I-797 extension letter, or an I-551 stamp, so you will probably have several more NJ licenses - all with the bloody 'temp immgr status' plastered over them - before you finally get approved and can get your full term license.

 

 

Edited July 3, 2017 by mindthegap

[nightingalejules 678]

 

9 hours ago, LeFay said:

Today I received a reminder from the USCIS saying that I may file for removal of conditions on my 2 year Greencard 90 days before the expiration date (Mine expires 10/24/2017).

In addition, I already have travel plans to go to Austria from the end of July to the end of August.

 

My questions now are: 

Can I file the removal of conditions before I leave the country?

Is the expiration date still valid after filing for a removal of conditions?

Or is it safer to apply after my travels? 

 

I want to get it done quickly, because my drivers license (NJ) expires in January 2018 and I really need it to work and study. 

Thank you  

@mindthegap is mostly right... however, I disagree about their suggestion not to wait to apply until after you return.

 

It's absolutely correct that this process is currently, on average, taking more than a year, so you will need to take your extension letter to the DMV and get another (probably short term) license. Your expiration date is still valid after filing, and once you file you will receive the extension letter, which proves your status for another year after the expiry date.

 

However, and here's where we differ:

 

Once you apply, you will need to attend a biometrics appointment (get your photo and fingerprints taken) at your local USCIS office. That appointment will be assigned by USCIS , and while you can reschedule it, your application isn't complete without it. I, for one, didn't get the notification of my biometrics appointment for about a month after I filed (and when I got the letter, the appointment was about 2 weeks later). If that happened to you, your biometrics letter wouldn't arrive until after you'd left on your vacation, and if you didn't have someone checking your mail regularly, you might miss your appointment, and then you'd be in much more serious hot water.

 

I think you should wait to apply until your return. And if you apply before you go, make sure to have someone checking your mail every day or so and ready to send you at least a scan of any USCIS documents so that you can respond immediately.