I lost my green card

[spooky 0]

Hi all!! This is my first time posting here. I am visiting family in Turkey. I have been here for 3 months. My husband is in Korea. I lost my green card last week. I made a police report and put an ad in the local newspaper. But i had no luck so far. I called the embassy and was told that i needed to get a "transportation letter" in order to return to the states. I asked her if it needs to be done right away or if it could wait 7 months (thats when my husband returns) She said i can do it whenever i am going to return as long as I am not here for more than 12 months and also told me to send them an email explaining just like I explained her, that way they have some record of my green card being lost, which i did. I am just wondering if anyone had to deal with anything similar to my situation? What would be the smart thing to do. Wait the 7 months or do it right away? I am just so lost. Any input would be greatly appriciated. Thanks in advance.

[spooky 0]

Hi all!! This is my first time posting here. I am visiting family in Turkey. I have been here for 3 months. My husband is in Korea. I lost my green card last week. I made a police report and put an ad in the local newspaper. But i had no luck so far. I called the embassy and was told that i needed to get a "transportation letter" in order to return to the states. I asked her if it needs to be done right away or if it could wait 7 months (thats when my husband returns) She said i can do it whenever i am going to return as long as I am not here for more than 12 months and also told me to send them an email explaining just like I explained her, that way they have some record of my green card being lost, which i did. I am just wondering if anyone had to deal with anything similar to my situation? What would be the smart thing to do. Wait the 7 months or do it right away? I am just so lost. Any input would be greatly appriciated. Thanks in advance.

I forgot to add that my card was a 10 year green card. I really need some advice on this. I dont know what i should do. Please anyone with a similar experience or heard of anyone going through this? Thanks.

[Karly-n-Bruce 0]

I have never been in your situation, but I found this on the USCIS website:

If you are outside the U.S. and have lost your alien registration card, contact the nearest American Consulate, USCIS Office or Port of Entry before attempting to file a Form I-90. If your Form I-90 application is approved, you will be mailed a replacement Permanent Resident Card,Form I-551, with a ten-year expiration date from the date of issuance.

LINK

[spooky 0]

Thank you for your reply. I was told that too when i called the embassy here. But what i would like to know is, would it be a problem when i file later(in 7 months) Would the ins have a problem with me waiting, instead of filing right away. I am just trying to avoid extra cost of airline ticket as i would have to leave my 5 year old with family if i need to do it right away.

[Karly-n-Bruce 0]

Thank you for your reply. I was told that too when i called the embassy here. But what i would like to know is, would it be a problem when i file later(in 7 months) Would the ins have a problem with me waiting, instead of filing right away. I am just trying to avoid extra cost of airline ticket as i would have to leave my 5 year old with family if i need to do it right away.

I don't understand... do you need to fly to the local US embassy? If it were me, I'd do it asap. I don't know if INS would have a problem with you if you waited, but I wouldn't think it would look too good if you waited, know what I mean?

[pj1959us 0]

Chris lost his GC also and after he submitted the I-90 he had to have another biometrics appointment before they sent him a replacement GC, so keep that in mind whenever the I-90 is sent in.

If you're just getting the transportation letter, is there a problem of getting it now? Does it expire?

[Magnolia31 0]

Hi all!! This is my first time posting here. I am visiting family in Turkey. I have been here for 3 months. My husband is in Korea. I lost my green card last week. I made a police report and put an ad in the local newspaper. But i had no luck so far. I called the embassy and was told that i needed to get a "transportation letter" in order to return to the states. I asked her if it needs to be done right away or if it could wait 7 months (thats when my husband returns) She said i can do it whenever i am going to return as long as I am not here for more than 12 months and also told me to send them an email explaining just like I explained her, that way they have some record of my green card being lost, which i did. I am just wondering if anyone had to deal with anything similar to my situation? What would be the smart thing to do. Wait the 7 months or do it right away? I am just so lost. Any input would be greatly appriciated. Thanks in advance.

I'm glad to hear they don't have penalties anymore when a person loses a GC. My mom had lost hers about 9 years ago and man, she got penalized. Anyhow, i would do it right away and not look. They might turn around and say that you didnt have intentions to come back or something like that. If you do it now, it proves you still intend to come back. Maybe I am wrong but that's just what I would do.

Why do you have to fly? You don't have a US Embassy where you are at right now?

[spooky 0]

Hi, thanks for everyones fast reply. Well i am in turkey, my husband is stationed in korea, his follow on is turkey, so i stayed here waiting for him to come back. I am gonna go to the states to meet my husband when he gets back, stay there for a month, then come back with my husband. There is no embassy near me, its in 6 hour drivinoig distance. I would have to make an appointment with them, go there apply for transportation letter, if im lucky i'll get it same day, if not i would have to be staying at a hotel there and wait, and in the mean time leave my daughter with family. The transportation letter is only good for 30 days, so i would have to fly to the states within that time. Go to the ins with that letter file for I90 and wait for biometrics and my new card ( confusing i know) I was thinking to wait till a month before my husband gets back then do it, or do it know. If i do it know i dont think i would want to come back to turkey, i think i would just wait there. Airline tickets to the staes from here, very expensive. Anyway I'm just confuse. The embassy here didnt think it would be a problem, as long as they have my email explaining my situation. But im not sure what the ins will say. You know what i mean. Sorry this is complex, thats why i turned to you guys, hoping someone can understand what im explaining. Thanks.

[Ladylethal 12]

Keep it in mind that 10 months away while it's still not a year, could be suspicious in the eyes of immigration, they can take away your resident status even if your stay was below 12 months, if it seems you're living abroad more than you are living in the states. It seems to me that you're staying 10 months there, one month in US, then flying back there. I'd get an appointment with the embassy and explain this whole situation and see your options.

[spooky 0]

No, i dont stay here 10 months and go to the states. My husband is in the military, we were stationed here, now he is in korea and is going to be stationed in turkey again as a follow on, Im leaning torward the idea about going to the states too, Im just so confused, thank you.

[spooky 0]

Hi everybody, I just wanted to add that after numorous attempts to call and talk to someone at the ins, i finally talked to someone. When explained my situation, I told her that i know what needs to be done, as far as getting the transportaion letter from the embassy and not exceed 12 months here and file once in the states. But i asked her that my concern is that once in the states, that i would run in to problems with the ins for waiting too long to apply ( i am planning on doing this in 7 months) I told her if it will be a problem that i will find a way to come ( due to financial reasons would be good if we could wait) She told me it would be no problem at all, as long as i dont stay for more than 12 months. She said the problem here is not that i lost my green card, the problem here is that i lost it outside the states and that i cant enter the states without it. But since the embassy will provide me with the transportation letter the problem will be solved, she told me to relax. So it looks like we'll be ok, what do you guys think. Its kind of a relieve to actually hear that from the ins it self, i just wished she could give it to me in writing. Well please let me know what you all think, thanks

Edited June 26, 2007 by spooky

[Karly-n-Bruce 0]

I hope she's right because it seems most people on the help line know absolutely nothing about immigration or the process or anything. Good luck to you.

[spooky 0]

Thanks for your fast reply Karly-n-Bruce. I know I thought about that too, I do think that maybe I should call one more time and ask to speak with an immigration officer, I dont know if they will put me through somebody, I also think that I should somehow talk to the border patrol people and see what they say about the whole thing. Its just confusing.

[spooky 0]

Hi everybody, I have great news, I FOUND MY WALLET WITH MY GREEN CARD in it!!!! How ironic i found it at the same park where i take my daughter everyday, same place I lost or got my wallet stolen three weeks ago. It was thrown in some bushes, all the money was missing, but my GREEN CARD is in there, undamaged. I just wanted to share this with you guys, thanks for everyones help and support, i couldnt go through this without you guys. I wish everyone a good luck with their immigration matters. Everyone have a wonderful day, I sure am!!!!

[Karly-n-Bruce 0]

Whew, I'm glad you found it! Now guard it with your life.