i-551 stamps and N400s

[Going through 5,671]

Just a couple of quick questions since I'm finding conflicting info on the net...

 

1) How "close" to my GC expiring do I have to be to receive the free i-551 stamp in my foreign passport? I know I'm entitled to the free stamp because of my filing date...just made it under by 4 days!

2) Do I have to show proof of travel to get the stamp, or is it acceptable just for the card to be expiring (and I don't want to be in possession of an expired card).  I know my LPR status doesn't expire.

3) On average, what is the wait time between scheduling an infopass appointment and the actual appointment date?  Can I choose the date myself and confirm it online, or is it like biometrics where they send me a letter with the date they choose?

 

I've just begun the process for the N400, but I do know that I will be travelling sometime between my in-line for interview and the actual interview date....just want to ensure all my ducks are in a row.

[Starkilla09 366]

1. I'm assuming you're a conditional permanent resident with pending I-751. The earliest date to normally have your passport stamped with the temporary I-551 stamp is 30 days prior to the date your extended residency expires. For example if conditional resident card expired 03/04/2017 and you filed your removal of conditions, you should be able to get a stamp earliest 02/04/2018. Some people have been lucky though to have it 30 days prior to the expiration date of extension letter, though most officers will refuse and tell you to wait.

 

2. No, you don't have to show any proof of travel to get the stamp. It's acceptable to have your extension letter and expired card just fine. That's the purpose of the letter in the first place anyway.

 

3. The infopass appointment varies based on the opening availability of the local USCIS office. There's no magic number and it could be days weeks or months to even spot an opening. It's like booking a reservation for anything such as car rental. Your only option is to check often to spot openings and book if the open day happens to work for you. As for your travel you can always notify officer at N 400 interview of any travels that happened after you already sent N 400. As usual you wanna keep trips under 6 months not to offset physical residency requirement for naturalization.

Edited July 24, 2017 by Starkilla09

[Going through 5,671]

5 hours ago, Starkilla09 said:

1. I'm assuming you're a conditional permanent resident with pending I-751. The earliest date to normally have your passport stamped with the temporary I-551 stamp is 30 days prior to the date your extended residency expires. For example if conditional resident card expired 03/04/2017 and you filed your removal of conditions, you should be able to get a stamp earliest 02/04/2018. Some people have been lucky though to have it 30 days prior to the expiration date of extension letter, though most officers will refuse and tell you to wait.

 

2. No, you don't have to show any proof of travel to get the stamp. It's acceptable to have your extension letter and expired card just fine. That's the purpose of the letter in the first place anyway.

 

3. The infopass appointment varies based on the opening availability of the local USCIS office. There's no magic number and it could be days weeks or months to even spot an opening. It's like booking a reservation for anything such as car rental. Your only option is to check often to spot openings and book if the open day happens to work for you. As for your travel you can always notify officer at N 400 interview of any travels that happened after you already sent N 400. As usual you wanna keep trips under 6 months not to offset physical residency requirement for naturalization.

1. I'm a LPR with a pending N400 for Naturalization/Citizenship  ...so I guess it'd be 30 days before my 10-year green card expires then?

2. Cool, good to know!  The extension letter part doesn't apply to my legal status, but glad I don't have to provide travel plans ahead of time...I'd be driving, so no proof to show anyway.

3. Thanks so much for the info!