Traveling on I-551 stamp

[Pascal07 0]

I never received an I-751 NOA and I need to travel to the UK soon so I got an I-551 stamp in my passport. My question is for people who have travelled with an I-551 stamp before.

* What do I need to show the immigration officer on the way back in to the US -- just my passport (with stamp), or expired green card as well? Do I tell them the whole story of what happened or just show the passport?

* Has anyone had any trouble traveling with an I-551 stamp? Do they ask a lot of questions?

Thanks for the help.

[YuAndDan 153]

Recommended to have the expired green card with you, but the I-551 stamp will allow you to re enter the USA at any POE.

[sandrajaye 0]

I just returned from Mexico yesterday with my 551 Stamp, NOA papers and my expired green card. I entered into the country in Dallas and was immediately sent into immigration. The immigration officer who first talked to me (prior to being sent to immigration offices) advised that all those entering the country without a valid greencard and only 551 stamps, NOA papers, etc will be sent to immigration...the reason for this is that they are finding that 551 stamps can and are in some cases fraudulent and therefore, additional checks and balances are required by INS into their systems to prove you are legit. I was detained by INS about 20 minutes while they checked out my status and my NOA information. If I were you, I would not leave the country until you have your NOA papers.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

I entered the US with just a I-551 stamp in my passport as I had not recieved my original greencard and I had no problems.... I went throught the citizens line and all the CBP officer did was enter my name on his computer then asked how long I had been gone for.... then said welcome home and that was it.....

Kez

[James 2]

I just returned from Mexico yesterday with my 551 Stamp, NOA papers and my expired green card. I entered into the country in Dallas and was immediately sent into immigration. The immigration officer who first talked to me (prior to being sent to immigration offices) advised that all those entering the country without a valid greencard and only 551 stamps, NOA papers, etc will be sent to immigration...the reason for this is that they are finding that 551 stamps can and are in some cases fraudulent and therefore, additional checks and balances are required by INS into their systems to prove you are legit. I was detained by INS about 20 minutes while they checked out my status and my NOA information. If I were you, I would not leave the country until you have your NOA papers.

You had your "NOA papers" -- your NOA1 authorizing you to travel -- and you were still detained?

[sandrajaye 0]

I just returned from Mexico yesterday with my 551 Stamp, NOA papers and my expired green card. I entered into the country in Dallas and was immediately sent into immigration. The immigration officer who first talked to me (prior to being sent to immigration offices) advised that all those entering the country without a valid greencard and only 551 stamps, NOA papers, etc will be sent to immigration...the reason for this is that they are finding that 551 stamps can and are in some cases fraudulent and therefore, additional checks and balances are required by INS into their systems to prove you are legit. I was detained by INS about 20 minutes while they checked out my status and my NOA information. If I were you, I would not leave the country until you have your NOA papers.

You had your "NOA papers" -- your NOA1 authorizing you to travel -- and you were still detained?

James, yes I had my NOA paper authrorizing work and travel plus a 551 stamp in my passport, good until January 8, 2008.

The officer still sent me into the INS offices because they are seeing more and more fraudulent documents of this type. He indicated that the officers have been instructed to send all those with these documents into the office for additional checks. This guy may have been more vigilant than most or maybe it was because I was coming in from Mexico (I am Canadian). Who knows; but i do know I was home to Canada one month ago and had no problem coming back into the USA at that time so certainly what happened yesterday was completely unexpected. My advice to all is to make sure you have all the documents available. You could be inconvenienced if you are hauled into the INS office, but as long as you have all your documents and I do mean all, you will be on your way quickly.

[Pascal07 0]

Wow - this does not sound good. All I will have to show is the I-551 stamp, expired green card, copy of my I-751 application, and the canceled check with receipt nr on it. Hopefully that will be enough. What a hassle -- I just can't get the NOA out of USCIS, they keep submitting requests to the CSC but as of today still no NOA...

Thanks for the responses.

I just returned from Mexico yesterday with my 551 Stamp, NOA papers and my expired green card. I entered into the country in Dallas and was immediately sent into immigration. The immigration officer who first talked to me (prior to being sent to immigration offices) advised that all those entering the country without a valid greencard and only 551 stamps, NOA papers, etc will be sent to immigration...the reason for this is that they are finding that 551 stamps can and are in some cases fraudulent and therefore, additional checks and balances are required by INS into their systems to prove you are legit. I was detained by INS about 20 minutes while they checked out my status and my NOA information. If I were you, I would not leave the country until you have your NOA papers.

You had your "NOA papers" -- your NOA1 authorizing you to travel -- and you were still detained?

James, yes I had my NOA paper authrorizing work and travel plus a 551 stamp in my passport, good until January 8, 2008.

The officer still sent me into the INS offices because they are seeing more and more fraudulent documents of this type. He indicated that the officers have been instructed to send all those with these documents into the office for additional checks. This guy may have been more vigilant than most or maybe it was because I was coming in from Mexico (I am Canadian). Who knows; but i do know I was home to Canada one month ago and had no problem coming back into the USA at that time so certainly what happened yesterday was completely unexpected. My advice to all is to make sure you have all the documents available. You could be inconvenienced if you are hauled into the INS office, but as long as you have all your documents and I do mean all, you will be on your way quickly.

[yhanie 0]

Hi! Im traveling late November for Italy because my husband's in the Navy so I should come with him because I'm his dependent. He has his orders already and we should stay there for 3 years. We just got married last May and still in the process of filing AOS. Hopefully I could get my GC after 3 mos without any delays and RFE's.

My questions are,

1.) can I come with him and stay in Italy with my temp green card only?

2.) should I do some paper works also? What else should I do and how do I do it?

3.) Would I be still entitled for Removal of Conditions after 2 years of my GC's expiration date with me living outside US on that period?

I would be entering Italy with a "No-Fee Passport" which will be provided by the Military, so no problem with that, my concern would most likely focus on how can I go back to US after my husband's duty and get a renewed Green Card afterwards.

I hope you guys can help me with whatever knowldge you have, even in the littlest way I would very much appreciate it. Thanks!

[biffbronson 0]

I didn't think you needed a stamp in your passport if you had the NOA with the 1-yr extention...am I wrong on that???

[mdunlap24 0]

I just returned from Mexico yesterday with my 551 Stamp, NOA papers and my expired green card. I entered into the country in Dallas and was immediately sent into immigration. The immigration officer who first talked to me (prior to being sent to immigration offices) advised that all those entering the country without a valid greencard and only 551 stamps, NOA papers, etc will be sent to immigration...the reason for this is that they are finding that 551 stamps can and are in some cases fraudulent and therefore, additional checks and balances are required by INS into their systems to prove you are legit. I was detained by INS about 20 minutes while they checked out my status and my NOA information. If I were you, I would not leave the country until you have your NOA papers.

This is a *wayyyy* drastic solution to a simple problem.

My husband travels very often (every month) out of the country for work. He has an I-551 stamp in his passport. Yes, he is sent to Secondary Inspections (not detained) or the "Bad Boys Room" as he calls it. They run his stamp through the system and is done.

The only action on your part when you travel, is that you leave plenty of time between your connections if you have one. He hasn't missed a flight yet, but has come close.

I should add that Mike travels with only his passport containing the I-551 stamp. He's never brought the NOA or any support paperwork. He has left and com e back into the country, at various POEs to various countries, about 10 times since we applied to lift the conditions.

Travel as usual, just expect to go to Secondary Inspections for visa verification. Leave plenty of time for connections. Just think of it as a break between flights and grab a beer or something to eat for that extra time you might have left.

Edited June 19, 2007 by mdunlap24

[James 2]

I should add that Mike travels with only his passport containing the I-551 stamp. He's never brought the NOA or any support paperwork.

My wife is only going to be out of the country once between the expiration of her conditional card and when she will presumably receive her 10-year card (she'll probably get it in October). Admittedly, it would be less cumbersome just traveling with her passport containing an I-551 stamp, but she'd have to do an Infopass to get that stamp -- which would not be so convenient. So she's only planning on taking her soon-to-expire conditional card and the NOA1.

My understanding is that this is sufficient, and that she won't necessarily have to go to secondary inspection. Or at least I would hope not, seeing as she'll be coming back alone with our two rambunctious toddlers (who both have U.S. passports).

[Pascal07 0]

Thanks - this puts my mind at ease. I thought if they march you off you're being detained, but it's good to know there's a difference between getting detained and going to the "Bad Boys Room". I guess I can deal with that.

And FYI, for those still waiting for NOA1 (like me), I heard something from my lawyer today that made me feel a lot better. As long as you have a receipt # (that you can get off your check or from your A# when you call NSC) you're ok. I was thinking that I'll be out of status unless I have an NOA, but that's not the case. As long as they tell you on the phone that the case was accepted before your GC expiry date you're ok (with or without NOA). The regulation states at 8 CFR 1216.4(a)(1):

"Upon receipt of a properly filed I-751, the alien's conditional permanent resident status shall be extended automatically, if necessary, until such time as the director has adjudicated the petition."

Of course this isn't going to help you if you have to travel, but it'll hopefully keep HR off your back if you work for a company that's demanding an NOA to allow you to work...

My husband travels very often (every month) out of the country for work. He has an I-551 stamp in his passport. Yes, he is sent to Secondary Inspections (not detained) or the "Bad Boys Room" as he calls it. They run his stamp through the system and is done.

The only action on your part when you travel, is that you leave plenty of time between your connections if you have one. He hasn't missed a flight yet, but has come close.

I should add that Mike travels with only his passport containing the I-551 stamp. He's never brought the NOA or any support paperwork. He has left and com e back into the country, at various POEs to various countries, about 10 times since we applied to lift the conditions.

Travel as usual, just expect to go to Secondary Inspections for visa verification. Leave plenty of time for connections. Just think of it as a break between flights and grab a beer or something to eat for that extra time you might have left.

[mdunlap24 0]

I should add that Mike travels with only his passport containing the I-551 stamp. He's never brought the NOA or any support paperwork.

My wife is only going to be out of the country once between the expiration of her conditional card and when she will presumably receive her 10-year card (she'll probably get it in October). Admittedly, it would be less cumbersome just traveling with her passport containing an I-551 stamp, but she'd have to do an Infopass to get that stamp -- which would not be so convenient. So she's only planning on taking her soon-to-expire conditional card and the NOA1.

My understanding is that this is sufficient, and that she won't necessarily have to go to secondary inspection. Or at least I would hope not, seeing as she'll be coming back alone with our two rambunctious toddlers (who both have U.S. passports).

It's really up to the person you see at POE whether or not you go to Secondary Inspection, but I would think your chances would be less if you travelled on the NOA. My husband personally finds it better to just carry his passport and not worry about another piece of paper, leave enough fudge time between connections, and not carry the NOA. He knows that he will most likely be pulled to SI since Immigration has found that there are forged I-551 stamps. (told to my husband by POE).

[simonjay77 0]

Where and how did you all get your I-551 stamp? Did you just go to your local office? I've booked an appointment at Chicago via infopass. I'm assuming if I just bring all my paperwork, valid passport, expired green card etc, they should give me the stamp there and then? Or is there some form I'm supposed to file that takes forever to process and lots of $$$? Thanks for reading this.

[k1spain 0]

Where and how did you all get your I-551 stamp? Did you just go to your local office? I've booked an appointment at Chicago via infopass. I'm assuming if I just bring all my paperwork, valid passport, expired green card etc, they should give me the stamp there and then? Or is there some form I'm supposed to file that takes forever to process and lots of $$$? Thanks for reading this.

No need to fill forms. Just go to the local office and request the stamp. The lady that stamped my passport told me that we are entitled to have the stamp. Good luck. Make sure the dates on the stamp are correct.

In my case, they didn't take my GC but I think is a good idea if you don't show it to them, just in case...