Relocating to a different state

[Aarjun 1]

We submitted I-751 2 years ago. Last year, we received a letter stating the case is still pending and another extending conditional green card for 1 year.

 

We recently moved to a different state and the extension will be up in a little over a month. I submitted the online address change form right after we moved. My questions are as following:

 

1. Should we visit a field office near us to get another extension? If so, how does that work? Do we receive another extension letter? A stamp in passport?

2. The field office for my state is much farther away than for an adjacent state. Can we go to that or do we have to go to the one for our state?

3. It has been over 4 years, since our marriage and petition. Can we apply for citizenship or do we have to wait till the conditions on the green card is lifted?

[NikV 44]

26 minutes ago, Aarjun said:

We submitted I-751 2 years ago. Last year, we received a letter stating the case is still pending and another extending conditional green card for 1 year.

 

We recently moved to a different state and the extension will be up in a little over a month. I submitted the online address change form right after we moved. My questions are as following:

 

1. Should we visit a field office near us to get another extension? If so, how does that work? Do we receive another extension letter? A stamp in passport?

2. The field office for my state is much farther away than for an adjacent state. Can we go to that or do we have to go to the one for our state?

3. It has been over 4 years, since our marriage and petition. Can we apply for citizenship or do we have to wait till the conditions on the green card is lifted?

I had never heard of a second extension letter. Not sure what is the matter with your case but you should reach out to your senator and see if they can help expedite your case. You should definitely get I551 stamp if your letter is about to expire. You can go to any nearby office for that. You can apply for the citizenship now if you want to.

Edited August 2, 2018 by NikV

[drosha 23]

1. Should we visit a field office near us to get another extension? If so, how does that work? Do we receive another extension letter? A stamp in passport?

it depends on whether you need the extension or not. Your status doesn’t expire while your i751 is processing so technically you don’t need a stamp unless 1. you travel outside of the country or 2. You need to prove to an employer or DMV or some other government agency etc that you’re in the country legally. If you need it you should set up an info pass appointment and get a stamp on your passport.

2. The field office for my state is much farther away than for an adjacent state. Can we go to that or do we have to go to the one for our state?

Other people’s experience seem to be mixed about this. Some say that USCIS in a different state didn’t give them a stamp without a proof of resident in that state, others say no problems. But it looks like most of them are ok especially if it’s just the adjacent state.

3. It has been over 4 years, since our marriage and petition. Can we apply for citizenship or do we have to wait till the conditions on the green card is lifted?

it depends on when you became a permanent resident. It would be written on your expired green card “resident since”. If that date is 2 years and 9 months or more ago then you can apply for citizenship but you can’t take the oath until i751 is decided. You should also keep in mind that you need to live in the same state or USCIS district for at least 3 months before applying for citizenship.

[Aarjun 1]

4 minutes ago, drosha said:

1. Should we visit a field office near us to get another extension? If so, how does that work? Do we receive another extension letter? A stamp in passport?

it depends on whether you need the extension or not. Your status doesn’t expire while your i751 is processing so technically you don’t need a stamp unless 1. you travel outside of the country or 2. You need to prove to an employer or DMV or some other government agency etc that you’re in the country legally. If you need it you should set up an info pass appointment and get a stamp on your passport.

2. The field office for my state is much farther away than for an adjacent state. Can we go to that or do we have to go to the one for our state?

Other people’s experience seem to be mixed about this. Some say that USCIS in a different state didn’t give them a stamp without a proof of resident in that state, others say no problems. But it looks like most of them are ok especially if it’s just the adjacent state.

3. It has been over 4 years, since our marriage and petition. Can we apply for citizenship or do we have to wait till the conditions on the green card is lifted?

it depends on when you became a permanent resident. It would be written on your expired green card “resident since”. If that date is 2 years and 9 months or more ago then you can apply for citizenship but you can’t take the oath until i751 is decided. You should also keep in mind that you need to live in the same state or USCIS district for at least 3 months before applying for citizenship.

Thank you!