I-751 Extension Letter about to expire but do I need to bother with the I551 Stamp?

[Nathan45 5]

I filled my I-751 back in March 2020 and got my 18-month extension letter which will expire in about 8 weeks. I am aware that this doesn't mean that I am out of status and that I just need to get a stamp to prove my residency in my passport through an InfoPass appointment.

 

But, I have also applied for citizenship already and the current estimate is that it should be approved in about 4-5 months. I am also a stay-at-home dad right now and don't need to apply for work, my DL is not set to expire for a few more years, no plans to travel outside of the US.

 

I don't think I really need to bother with an InfoPass appointment do I? I can just wait out either my I-751 getting approved or until my citizenship interview which should be fairly soon. Would there be problems not getting the stamp?

 

I also saw that USCIS last month has extended the 18 months to 24 months and that should apply to people who applied in the past as well but I have yet to receive a new letter of notice showing the new extension date, has anyone else?

[Crazy Cat 42,215]

No need for an ADIT stamp in your passport unless you want or need evidence of status.  I believe they will send you a new extension letter.

[mindthegap 2,601]

Yes. No. Maybe.

You don't need it, you don't need to carry it, and your status does not expire upon the expiry of the extension letter as you know already. 

 

However, if you need to - or can even potentially forsee the need to - renew an ID, travel, deal with HR for a new job, something to do wth a loan or mortgage, or anything else that requires or may require current proof of status, then it may be prudent to do so. Family overseas or travelling overseas? You may need to go urgently if someone gets sick? You would be looking at a minimum of 2 days extra delay - thats if you can get them to mark it as urgent and schedule a call back the same day and get you a first thing appointment the next day. 

 

Take any timeline estimates from USCIS with a very large grain of salt. 

 

You won't receive a new extension letter. One and done, regardless of the newer ones being of longer validity. 

Edited October 12, 2021 by mindthegap

[Crazy Cat 42,215]

3 minutes ago, mindthegap said:

You won't receive a new extension letter. One and done, regardless of the newer ones being of longer validity. 

I think they are sending new letters

 

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-extends-evidence-of-status-for-conditional-permanent-residents-to-24-months-with-pending-form

 

Conditional permanent residents who properly file Form I-751 or Form I-829 will receive a receipt notice that can be presented with their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card), as evidence of continued status for up to 24 months past the expiration date on their Green Card, while their case remains pending with USCIS.

Additionally, we will issue new receipt notices to eligible conditional permanent residents who properly filed their Form I-751 or Form I-829 before Sept. 4 and whose cases are still pending. Those receipt notices will also serve as evidence of continued status for 24 months past the expiration date on their Green Card.

Edited October 12, 2021 by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 42,215]

@Vanessa McG received a new extension letter.

 

 

[mindthegap 2,601]

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

I think they are sending new letters

 

 

Ah ok, that is new then. When they switched from 12 to 18 month letters they certainly did not send new ones!

[Crazy Cat 42,215]

Just now, mindthegap said:

Ah ok, that is new then. When they switched from 12 to 18 month letters they certainly did not send new ones!

Yep.  I just found this info recently, myself.  Hopefully, it will help some people.  

[B C 18]

On 10/12/2021 at 10:18 AM, mindthegap said:

Ah ok, that is new then. When they switched from 12 to 18 month letters they certainly did not send new ones!

 

On 10/12/2021 at 10:20 AM, Crazy Cat said:

Yep.  I just found this info recently, myself.  Hopefully, it will help some people.  

They certainly worded their notification in that way, saying all who had 18 months letter, will automatically receive 24 months; but at the the following thread, nobody with 18m letter has responded yet with any new 24m  letter. All reports are from fresh i751 filings getting 24m letter.

 

USCIS Notification:

 

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-extends-evidence-of-status-for-conditional-permanent-residents-to-24-months-with-pending-form

 

Quote

Additionally, we will issue new receipt notices to eligible conditional permanent residents who properly filed their Form I-751 or Form I-829 before Sept. 4 and whose cases are still pending. Those receipt notices will also serve as evidence of continued status for 24 months past the expiration date on their Green Card.

 

VJ Thread asking about 24m letter: