I-751, Extension Letter for GC expires soon- What to do?

[LeFay 1]

Hello everyone!

 

So, I am currently removing the conditions on my green card. I sent the application in (it was received) September 8th, 2017. I see on the processing times that it might take longer than 1 year to get a new green card (VSC)

I am a student, my driver's license will expire in October 2018 and I intend to change my job in the fall as well.

 

My questions are:

In New Jersey, what should I do before the Extension Letter of my Greencard expires? (My GC expired October 2017)

I cant find a contact, where I can actually ask a real person in the USCIS website- should I schedule an appointment in a local USCIS office?

Do I have to get a 551 stamp? 

Does the DMV accept those stamps to extend the Greencard in NJ?

I want to visit my family over Christmas- can I just normally travel abroad and come back with an expired GC+Extension Letter+Stamp?

 

Thank you

[payxibka 10,045]

3 minutes ago, LeFay said:

Hello everyone!

 

So, I am currently removing the conditions on my green card. I sent the application in (it was received) September 8th, 2017. I see on the processing times that it might take longer than 1 year to get a new green card (VSC)

I am a student, my driver's license will expire in October 2018 and I intend to change my job in the fall as well.

 

My questions are:

In New Jersey, what should I do before the Extension Letter of my Greencard expires? (My GC expired October 2017)

I cant find a contact, where I can actually ask a real person in the USCIS website- should I schedule an appointment in a local USCIS office?

Do I have to get a 551 stamp? 

Does the DMV accept those stamps to extend the Greencard in NJ?

I want to visit my family over Christmas- can I just normally travel abroad and come back with an expired GC+Extension Letter+Stamp?

 

Thank you

I find google to be an incredible resource

 

You need to make an InfoPass appointment at the USCIS local office

 

Those applicants who have been granted permanent status in the United States (holding a “green card”) or are waiting to receive their permanent status (have an I-551 stamp in their passport), can go to any of the 45 motor vehicle agencies to apply for a driver license or non-driver identification.

 

http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/about/press/2001/121401a.shtm

Edited May 13, 2018 by payxibka

[mrs thb 331]

17 hours ago, LeFay said:

Hello everyone!

 

So, I am currently removing the conditions on my green card. I sent the application in (it was received) September 8th, 2017. I see on the processing times that it might take longer than 1 year to get a new green card (VSC)

I am a student, my driver's license will expire in October 2018 and I intend to change my job in the fall as well.

 

My questions are:

In New Jersey, what should I do before the Extension Letter of my Greencard expires? (My GC expired October 2017)

I cant find a contact, where I can actually ask a real person in the USCIS website- should I schedule an appointment in a local USCIS office?

Do I have to get a 551 stamp? 

Does the DMV accept those stamps to extend the Greencard in NJ?

I want to visit my family over Christmas- can I just normally travel abroad and come back with an expired GC+Extension Letter+Stamp?

 

Thank you

As the above poster mentioned you will need to make an info pass appt and get the I-551 stamp.  You will need to bring your old expired GC, your extension letter and your passport.  It is highly recommended that your passport not expire soon as you'll need that stamp to travel with if it takes your I-751 approval longer than expected (and at the rate its going it could be forever ).

 

I have found through reading VJ that not all field offices work under the same guidelines.  Some have received their stamp outside of 3 months, others not.  Personally, I went outside of this time frame since I travel so much and was denied.  I was told to return for it after the extension letter expired.  I have also read that some offices keep the expired GC and some don't.  

 

Since the stamp replaces the expired GC and extension letter you will can travel freely with just your passport. Personally I would still carry these as I have found not all custom agents understand the rules.

 

Good luck booking an infopass appt.  Some field offices are very difficult to get an appt.  You might find more success at an office outside of your local field office.