Infopass appointment for passport stamp (I-551)

[Cdn_Ali 11]

For anyone needing a passport stamp because your 18 month extension letter has expired, infopass appointments can now only be scheduled within 10 days of expiry of your extension letter (or current passport stamp). In mid-March, I was able to book an infopass appointment within 30 days of my letter expiring. My passport stamp will expire on 15 September so I called today for an appointment and was told the new time-frame of 10 days, not 30. (The lady did not care that I am starting a new job next week and wanted a stamp that is valid for more than 3 weeks - she said I could get an emergency appointment if the new job would write a letter saying they cannot hire me without a new stamp, which is ridiculous.)

 

Anyway, since my estimated completion date is supposed to be August 2020, I asked if there was any movement with my file - there have been no updates on my USCIS account. She said my file was now at my local office and I would have a combo I-751/N-400 interview soon. Forgot to ask what date my file was transferred. Here's hoping my interview will happen soon so I don't have to keep getting passport stamps.

 

I thought the infopass information might be helpful for anyone with expiring extension letters.

[Pandova 17]

Thank you for the info!

 

[mrath5 40]

On 8/17/2020 at 10:43 AM, Cdn_Ali said:

For anyone needing a passport stamp because your 18 month extension letter has expired, infopass appointments can now only be scheduled within 10 days of expiry of your extension letter (or current passport stamp). In mid-March, I was able to book an infopass appointment within 30 days of my letter expiring. My passport stamp will expire on 15 September so I called today for an appointment and was told the new time-frame of 10 days, not 30. (The lady did not care that I am starting a new job next week and wanted a stamp that is valid for more than 3 weeks - she said I could get an emergency appointment if the new job would write a letter saying they cannot hire me without a new stamp, which is ridiculous.)

 

Anyway, since my estimated completion date is supposed to be August 2020, I asked if there was any movement with my file - there have been no updates on my USCIS account. She said my file was now at my local office and I would have a combo I-751/N-400 interview soon. Forgot to ask what date my file was transferred. Here's hoping my interview will happen soon so I don't have to keep getting passport stamps.

 

I thought the infopass information might be helpful for anyone with expiring extension letters.

Dang. When I called for my husband she told me they were only giving out stamps if you can prove it’s an emergency, she never even asked me about when it expires. I should have him call about his status though since it’s been a year at “ready to schedule an interview” Could you tell me what number you called? 

[Cdn_Ali 11]

The number I called: (800) 375-5283. Be prepared to be on hold for a while...I was on hold for 45 minutes before an agent picked up.  

 

 

[vvkat 0]

On 8/23/2020 at 2:08 PM, Cdn_Ali said:

The number I called: (800) 375-5283. Be prepared to be on hold for a while...I was on hold for 45 minutes before an agent picked up.  

 

 

Did they give you 1 year or 6 months of the  stamp?

[Cdn_Ali 11]

I think it is at the discretion of the field office. The one I got in March was only valid for 5 months. Your office might be different.

[vvkat 0]

15 minutes ago, Cdn_Ali said:

I think it is at the discretion of the field office. The one I got in March was only valid for 5 months. Your office might be different.

And this time? I’m in Vegas

[Cdn_Ali 11]

I couldn't get an appointment for the stamp this last time because it wasn't within 10 days of expiry. I'll let you know how long the stamp is good for when I call again in a week or so.  

[Mr & Mrs Umer 12]

USCIS call center representative will only proceed if your extension letter is expiring within 10 days otherwise they will ask you to call back. They are driving me crazy for a stamp and I really need to travel due to a family emergency and its truly a messed up system due to Covid19. Once you call USCIS, representative tells you to expect a call within 5 business days but in my case they didn't bother to call me back, called them 3 times and every time after hourly long hold, after verifying each and everything they give you same lollipop. When you tell them you were told to expect a call, they tell you,Officer wrote reason for not calling back because there is no appointment available. I was requesting them I can go to any other location if there is any appointment available but they refused that only closest to your postal code can serve you. Now another tier 2 officer will call me in 5 working days and then I have to prove through documents via email that's its an emergency and then within 5 days they would call me back, if TIER 2 approves then that officer would schedule an appointment and then I can get a stamp No walk-ins regardless you have an emergency and no appointment unless you have an emergency and good luck proving them. Feeling so depressed but don't see any other solution except going round and round. Cherry on to (Tier 2s are available only b/w 8 am to 1pm with an average hold time is 1 hour plus.

I was wondering if I travel on expired letter, Would I be able to get a stamp from US Embassy in my home country? By any chance on way back cant they verify my status at airport that I am lawful permanent resident. I need seniors help regarding this emergency travel, do I have any other option? Please help me with your knowledge.

[mindthegap 2,589]

19 hours ago, Mr & Mrs Umer said:

I was wondering if I travel on expired letter, Would I be able to get a stamp from US Embassy in my home country? 

No.

 

19 hours ago, Mr & Mrs Umer said:

By any chance on way back cant they verify my status at airport that I am lawful permanent resident. I need seniors help regarding this emergency travel

Can they? Yes...the RCLG could in theory do that and permit you boarding. Will they? Who knows... not something I would personally risk in normal times, never mind the crapshoot that is present day covid-era travel.

You would then have secondary upon arrival as well.

 

19 hours ago, Mr & Mrs Umer said:

do I have any other option? Please help me with your knowledge.

I called this morning to make an appointment as my last stamp expires in a couple of days. I said 'infopass appointment' to the automated thing, and hold time was around 30 minutes before answering.

I received a call back from someone to make the appointment before I had even ended the call with the person I spoke to... the person I was speaking to confirmed that the Washington, DC number was the callback and said I should hang up and answer it.

I have an appointment next week.

Keep trying. 

Edited September 18, 2020 by mindthegap

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

On 9/17/2020 at 8:18 PM, Mr & Mrs Umer said:

USCIS call center representative will only proceed if your extension letter is expiring within 10 days otherwise they will ask you to call back. They are driving me crazy for a stamp and I really need to travel due to a family emergency and its truly a messed up system due to Covid19. Once you call USCIS, representative tells you to expect a call within 5 business days but in my case they didn't bother to call me back, called them 3 times and every time after hourly long hold, after verifying each and everything they give you same lollipop. When you tell them you were told to expect a call, they tell you,Officer wrote reason for not calling back because there is no appointment available. I was requesting them I can go to any other location if there is any appointment available but they refused that only closest to your postal code can serve you. Now another tier 2 officer will call me in 5 working days and then I have to prove through documents via email that's its an emergency and then within 5 days they would call me back, if TIER 2 approves then that officer would schedule an appointment and then I can get a stamp No walk-ins regardless you have an emergency and no appointment unless you have an emergency and good luck proving them. Feeling so depressed but don't see any other solution except going round and round. Cherry on to (Tier 2s are available only b/w 8 am to 1pm with an average hold time is 1 hour plus.

I was wondering if I travel on expired letter, Would I be able to get a stamp from US Embassy in my home country? By any chance on way back cant they verify my status at airport that I am lawful permanent resident. I need seniors help regarding this emergency travel, do I have any other option? Please help me with your knowledge.

I had an infopass for stamp within 10 days of expiry for a job. When I told the immigration officer at the infopass that I had been told to call back within 10 days of expiry (it was then within 30 days) - he said, legally you are entitled to it within 30 days - I said they didn't let me, he said "I know that's what they are saying now but you have the right to". I didn't really know what to make of that statement.

[Mr & Mrs Umer 12]

13 hours ago, mindthegap said:

No.

 

Can they? Yes...the RCLG could in theory do that and permit you boarding. Will they? Who knows... not something I would personally risk in normal times, never mind the crapshoot that is present day covid-era travel.

You would then have secondary upon arrival as well.

 

I called this morning to make an appointment as my last stamp expires in a couple of days. I said 'infopass appointment' to the automated thing, and hold time was around 30 minutes before answering.

I received a call back from someone to make the appointment before I had even ended the call with the person I spoke to... the person I was speaking to confirmed that the Washington, DC number was the callback and said I should hang up and answer it.

I have an appointment next week.

Keep trying. 

One could be this much lucky and I am struggling in California and they are continuously denying me with a simple pre written email that I dont qualify for an info pass appointment. I am soc sick of it, they say that they are only scheduling for emergency purposes. God they are so mean, I bought tickets in January and then covid happened and now flight operation resume and have whole family rescheduled $4000 worth tickets because if we dont travel within 12 months, they will expire. Here comes the USCIS pain in the a**, so rude and cold hearted people who are trying their best to hush me away from appointment. First they were giving me excuse that come within 10 days expiry and now I dont qualify for emergency criteria. I would appreciate if you share your experience that what on earth you told them that you got it, please share your tips, suggestions welcome lols I am losing my mind seriously

[Allovertheworld 355]

You can also do a walk in for info pass.  They will see if they have time, you will be after the scheduled appointments. From what I have seen the walk ins usually get taken care of for the stamp.

[Mr & Mrs Umer 12]

27 minutes ago, Allovertheworld said:

You can also do a walk in for info pass.  They will see if they have time, you will be after the scheduled appointments. From what I have seen the walk ins usually get taken care of for the stamp.

Are you sure they still take Walk ins? I know they used to do that but now they dont, if you have some recent information about it, I would definitely try it.

[Allovertheworld 355]

1 hour ago, Mr & Mrs Umer said:

Are you sure they still take Walk ins? I know they used to do that but now they dont, if you have some recent information about it, I would definitely try it.

Not Sure, We did our couple years ago when they had the AOS from a K1 all messed up and taking forever.  My wife never had interview for her either her 2 yr or 10 yr greencard. 

 

I would guess it depends on location if the allow walk in.  How I found out is when we did our infopass appt for the stamp, they guard asked if we had appt. or walk in. I was kinda shocked since we waited for a pass and had no clue you do a walk in.  I was told they allow walk ins, but you are last in line after the take care of the appointment and if they still have time.