Jump to content
Peter&Dana

Traveling to Bahamas with I-551 stamp

By Peter&Dana in Working & Traveling During US Immigration

 Share

6 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Peter&Dana Apprentice

Peter&Dana   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ghana
 Timeline
Posted

Guys, I desperately need your help. I was not worried about this a few days ago, but as usual, panic has set in at the very last minute.

My husband was approved for permanent residency on Feb. 7. His green card never arrived, so we made an Infopass appointment and got th stamp in his passport (they said his card was still in production and would be on its way soon).

In the meantime, I've scheduled a trip for us to go to the Bahamas on a cruise line for our first anniversary. Now the idea has hit me that the cruise line may not accept the I-551 stamp, since all documentation says he must present a green card. I did see something on the Bohemian consulate site that says the stamp is fine, but you know how easy it is to run into an ignorant person who may not let us on the boat.

The other alternative would be to go ahead and get him a visa as "insurance" but the cruise departs this Friday.

My questions is, has anyone else been in a similar situation? Do other countries accept the I-551 stamp as valid? I just don't trust that darn stamp! :(

Sep, 1992 - First contact, as teenage penpals

1998 - Fell in love

Sep 12, 2002 - First meeting

Nov 13, 2003 - Engaged!

June 10, 2004 - I-129F expressed to Texas

June 15, 2004 - NOA1

Aug 12, 2004 - NOA2

Oct 2004 - Called Accra Embassy, picked up packet

Nov 23, 2004 - Got appt for Jan. 20

Dec 14, 2004 - Medicals & Vaccinations

Jan 13-23, 2005 - Dana goes to Ghana to attend interview

Jan 21, 2005 - Visa appointment! APPROVED!!!

Feb 4, 2005 - Visa pick-up date. Not yet processed. Peter told to come back Feb. 11! ARGH!

Feb 11 - Peter's brother gets visitor's visa to attend wedding. YES!

Feb 11, Part 2 - Peter got his passport back with the visa! Woohoo!

Feb 21, 2005 - Transit visa received

Feb 23, 2005 - Peter comes to Atlanta!

March 10, 2005 - Applied for SSN

Apr 2 - Wedding! Honeymoon!

Apr 18 - Reapplied for SSN (we never got it)

Apr 18 - Received marriage certificate in the mail

Apr 25 - Received SS card

Jun 19, 2005 - Submitted AOS and EAD

Jun 21, 2005 - AOS package received at Chicago Lockbox

Jul 1, 2005 - Checks cashed

Jul 5, 2005 - NOA's received for both AOS & EAD

Jul 6, 2005 - Walk-in biometrics

Aug 29, 2005 - EAD email approval (Dated 8/21) / EAD received same day

Nov 9, 2005 - I-485 forwarded to CSC

Jan 18,19,20,21 - Touched 4 times

Feb 7, 2006 - Case approved. We're free!

Mar 7, 2006 - Infopass appt - got I-551 stamp (Green card still not received)

Apr 3, 2006 - Got Welcome Letter and GC!

Oct 12, 2007 - Lifting of Conditions

Dec 2, 2009 - Naturalization!!!!!!

raymaga Mentor

raymaga   25

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

The I-551 stamp is needed to return to the U.S. I use my Canadian passport to travel and my Green Card to return to the U.S.

The I-551 stamp is a very common thing, and I'm sure that it is well known that it is just like the Green Card.

Have a good vacation!!!

"THE SHORT STORY"

KURT & RAYMA (K-1 Visa)

Oct. 9/03... I-129F sent to NSC

June 10/04... K-1 Interview - APPROVED!!!!

July 31/04... Entered U.S.

Aug. 28/04... WEDDING DAY!!!!

Aug. 30/04... I-485, I-765 & I-131 sent to Seattle

Dec. 10/04... AOS Interview - APPROVED!!!!! (Passport stamped)

Sept. 9/06... I-751 sent to NSC

May 15/07... 10-Yr. PR Card arrives in the mail

Sept. 13/07... N-400 sent to NSC

Aug. 21/08... Interview - PASSED!!!!

Sept. 2/08... Oath Ceremony

Sept. 5/08... Sent in Voter Registration Card

Sept. 9/08... SSA office to change status to "U.S. citizen"

Oct. 8/08... Applied in person for U.S. Passport

Oct. 22/08... U.S. Passport received

DONE!!! DONE!!! DONE!!! DONE!!!

KAELY (K-2 Visa)

Apr. 6/05... DS-230, Part I faxed to Vancouver Consulate

May 26/05... K-2 Interview - APPROVED!!!!

Sept. 5/05... Entered U.S.

Sept. 7/05... I-485 & I-131 sent to CLB

Feb. 22/06... AOS Interview - APPROVED!!!!! (Passport NOT stamped)

Dec. 4/07... I-751 sent to NSC

May 23/08... 10-Yr. PR Card arrives in the mail

Mar. 22/11.... N-400 sent to AZ

June 27/11..... Interview - PASSED!!!

July 12/11..... Oath Ceremony

We're NOT lawyers.... just your average folks who had to find their own way!!!!! Anything we post here is simply our own opinions/suggestions/experiences and should not be taken as LAW!!!!

Peter&Dana Apprentice

Peter&Dana   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ghana
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted
The I-551 stamp is needed to return to the U.S. I use my Canadian passport to travel and my Green Card to return to the U.S.

The I-551 stamp is a very common thing, and I'm sure that it is well known that it is just like the Green Card.

Have a good vacation!!!

Does it also prove to countries you're visiting that you're a US permanent resident? I think that's what they need to see. Unless you have proof you're a permanent resident, Ghanaians have to have a visa to travel to the Bahamas.

Sep, 1992 - First contact, as teenage penpals

1998 - Fell in love

Sep 12, 2002 - First meeting

Nov 13, 2003 - Engaged!

June 10, 2004 - I-129F expressed to Texas

June 15, 2004 - NOA1

Aug 12, 2004 - NOA2

Oct 2004 - Called Accra Embassy, picked up packet

Nov 23, 2004 - Got appt for Jan. 20

Dec 14, 2004 - Medicals & Vaccinations

Jan 13-23, 2005 - Dana goes to Ghana to attend interview

Jan 21, 2005 - Visa appointment! APPROVED!!!

Feb 4, 2005 - Visa pick-up date. Not yet processed. Peter told to come back Feb. 11! ARGH!

Feb 11 - Peter's brother gets visitor's visa to attend wedding. YES!

Feb 11, Part 2 - Peter got his passport back with the visa! Woohoo!

Feb 21, 2005 - Transit visa received

Feb 23, 2005 - Peter comes to Atlanta!

March 10, 2005 - Applied for SSN

Apr 2 - Wedding! Honeymoon!

Apr 18 - Reapplied for SSN (we never got it)

Apr 18 - Received marriage certificate in the mail

Apr 25 - Received SS card

Jun 19, 2005 - Submitted AOS and EAD

Jun 21, 2005 - AOS package received at Chicago Lockbox

Jul 1, 2005 - Checks cashed

Jul 5, 2005 - NOA's received for both AOS & EAD

Jul 6, 2005 - Walk-in biometrics

Aug 29, 2005 - EAD email approval (Dated 8/21) / EAD received same day

Nov 9, 2005 - I-485 forwarded to CSC

Jan 18,19,20,21 - Touched 4 times

Feb 7, 2006 - Case approved. We're free!

Mar 7, 2006 - Infopass appt - got I-551 stamp (Green card still not received)

Apr 3, 2006 - Got Welcome Letter and GC!

Oct 12, 2007 - Lifting of Conditions

Dec 2, 2009 - Naturalization!!!!!!

Kez/JWolf Mentor

Kez/JWolf   6

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted

An I-551 is proof you are a resident.... it says so on it also says you are approved for work and travel.... it is no diffrent from the plastic card..

Infact when you come to lift conditions you may well be given the stamp to cover you for the period while you new card is being made...

Have a wonderful trip

Kezzie

  • 11 years later...
  • 2 weeks later...
TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   46,068

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Thread from 2006 is now closed to further comment.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...