Traveling during ROC with an Extension Letter

[Ksenia_O 696]

Hi, guys.

 

Does anybody here have an experience of leaving Ukraine with a  green card expired and an Extension Letter?... I'm not worried about entering the US .  My main concern to get out of my home country - I'm not sure if they are familiar there with an Extension Letter. 

Also, on my way back I'll have two stops - in Frankfurt, Germany and Toronto, Canada. In Canada I'll have about 4 hours layover, so even if i'm pulled to a secondary - no worries, should be enough time anyway. But in Germany - only 1 hour..

Any inputs would be greatly appreciated. And, yes,  it will be Lufthansa /Air Canada.. if it matters... 

Thank you. 

[jptl85 25]

You should be fine. Bring your original copy of the letter. Most airlines are somewhat familiar. Lufthansa and AC certainly should be. Once you leave Ukraine you will have Boarding Passes through the the US and are unlikely to be asked for the letter again in Germany (but it is possible). 

 

There is a cbp document on this site somewhere that you could print that explains what the letter is. 

[jptl85 25]

Addition : See the traveling with a extension letter thread pinned the the forum homepage for the link to the document. 

[Ksenia_O 696]

1 minute ago, jptl85 said:

Addition : See the traveling with a extension letter thread pinned the the forum homepage for the link to the document. 

Thank you for your reply , really appreciate it. Return flight is operated by Air Canada -  they should be aware about this 'package" , expired green card + Ext.Letter"..  So , yes, you are right, I should be fine

 

P.S: It was really a good idea - !o print that cbp document!  I knew it does exist, but keep forgetting about it - thanks again!!! 

 

[Ksenia_O 696]

All right ...another question... Do I need to apply  online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), flying frough Canada to the US?.... 

[NYCruiser 423]

Just posted this to the VisaJourney site

 

We just got back from a Cruise. Massive ship with a lot of passengers. 6,500!! The lines moved very fast. However, with the I-787 letter/Expired GC and Passport, the ICE/CBP Officer got confused. She read the letter two times (holding everyone in the line behind us). Very nice lady..Rodrigues by name.

 

She then said, 'I better have you go to Secondary'.  She was gone about 15 minutes (No one but us was in the room).

 

Another officer came back and wanted to make sure he applied for ROC. i said you mean the I-751? She said yes.

 

We gave the date of application which was over a year ago. She said no card yet? (Seemed surprised). 

 

The CPB Officer also did not know the expiration date of the I-787 is one year from GC Expiry NOT date of ROC I-751 submission. Sigh. She seemed surprised at the length of time. I said it is 15-18 months at VSC. (she did not know what that was either) Vermont Service Center, St Albans, VT

 

....We expressed empathy with USCIS that there are a lot of applications and that takes time to process/security. I am sure they get a lot of people bitching at the process, so this seemed a welcome respite for her. Then she forgot to give him back his I-787. Thank goodness he remembered...(THAT would have been an interesting issue!!)

 

Also, there was no stamp put in his passport either...all in all ...very odd.

 

Anyway, they were very nice and courteous. We have never ever had an issue with CPB at any border. He just gets nervous, but is getting better. 

[manticora 13]

On 7/6/2017 at 1:00 PM, Ksenia_O said:

Hi, guys.

 

Does anybody here have an experience of leaving Ukraine with a  green card expired and an Extension Letter?... I'm not worried about entering the US .  My main concern to get out of my home country - I'm not sure if they are familiar there with an Extension Letter. 

Also, on my way back I'll have two stops - in Frankfurt, Germany and Toronto, Canada. In Canada I'll have about 4 hours layover, so even if i'm pulled to a secondary - no worries, should be enough time anyway. But in Germany - only 1 hour..

Any inputs would be greatly appreciated. And, yes,  it will be Lufthansa /Air Canada.. if it matters... 

Thank you. 

Hello Ksenia,

 

I have just booked tickets to Ukraine through Frankfurt with Lufthansa, but after reading so many horror stories about not being allowed on the plane, I am really scared now. Would you mind sharing your experience traveling with an expired green card and an extension letter? Specifically, are agents in Kyiv aware of this? Are there any issues in Germany? I have a Ukrainian biometric passport, so no visa required for Germany. I would really appreciate any advise! Thank you very much

[Ksenia_O 696]

15 minutes ago, manticora said:

Hello Ksenia,

 

I have just booked tickets to Ukraine through Frankfurt with Lufthansa, but after reading so many horror stories about not being allowed on the plane, I am really scared now. Would you mind sharing your experience traveling with an expired green card and an extension letter? Specifically, are agents in Kyiv aware of this? Are there any issues in Germany? I have a Ukrainian biometric passport, so no visa required for Germany. I would really appreciate any advise! Thank you very much

Hi
You shouldn't have any problem - Lufthansa is well aware what the 'combo' of an Extension Letter & an expired green card stands for. The same in Kyiv, at Boryspol airport. 

 

I flew several times, with a "combo' and later, when my Extension Letter got expired,  - just with I-551 stamp in my passport.... Same story -  no issues at all. 

 

You can also got this Guide printed - in case if you face an airport agent, who is not familiar with an Extension Letter.

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2019-Mar/2019 Carrier Information Guide - ENGLISH.pdf

p.p. 5 & 30

But as i've said - have flown many times, and never had any problems. you should be fine

 

Have a safe trip and a wonderful time in Ukraine!!! 

 

Edited June 24, 2019 by Ksenia_O

[manticora 13]

Just now, Ksenia_O said:

Hi
You shouldn't have any problem - Lufthansa is well aware what the 'combo' of an Extension Letter & an expired green card stands for. The same in Kyiv, at Boryspol airport. 

 

I flew several times, with a "combo' and later, when my Extension Letter got expired,  - just with I-551 stamp in my passport.... Same story -  no issues at all. 

 

You can also got this Guide printed - in case if you face an airport agent, who is not familiar with an Extension Letter.

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2019-Mar/2019 Carrier Information Guide - ENGLISH.pdf

p.p. 5 & 30

But as i've said - have flown  and many times, and never had any problems. you should be fine

 

Have a safe trip and a wonderful time in Ukraine!!! 

 

Thank you very much for replying!! I've heard that Lufthansa is finicky about transiting through Germany with an expired green card but wasn't sure if Ukrainian passport would make a difference. Btw, did you ever need to show the guide to any airport agent? 

[Ksenia_O 696]

Just now, manticora said:

Thank you very much for replying!! I've heard that Lufthansa is finicky about transiting through Germany with an expired green card but wasn't sure if Ukrainian passport would make a difference. Btw, did you ever need to show the guide to any airport agent? 

Nope  Never!  But it's really a good idea to have the Guide with you anyway. 

 

Couple times my return flights were with Austrian airlines (they are part of Lufthansa Group) - also no problem at all.  

 

[manticora 13]

Just now, Ksenia_O said:

Nope  Never!  But it's really a good idea to have the Guide with you anyway. 

 

Couple times my return flights were with Austrian airlines (they are part of Lufthansa Group) - also no problem at all.  

 

Great, thanks so much! Did you print the whole thing or just the relevant pages? 

[Ksenia_O 696]

2 minutes ago, manticora said:

Great, thanks so much! Did you print the whole thing or just the relevant pages? 

the whole thing. Looks more "official"  than if it was just a few pages