Do I just fill I-751 for removal of conditions? How about my expired green card?

[Ani_B 9]

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone can advise me.

I will be petitioning to remove conditions on my conditional residency green card at the end of December, which will be 90 days before my card expires (March 2023).

I just want to confirm, am I just filling out and returning this form: https://www.uscis.gov/i-751  ?

I was reading somewhere about I-90 for when ym card expires, so I read here https://www.uscis.gov/i-90  , but it specifically states the following (in the screenshot) somewhere on the page that conditional gc holders should not fill out this form. So I see that I should not complete this.

But I want to confirm that when I send off my application to remove conditions, will the NOA that they send me after receipt act as an extension for when my green card expires next March? Should I still be able to apply for work / travel as long as I can present my expired green card (after next March) and the NOA that says my petition to remove conditions has been received?

Also, if I am to carry my NOA with me at all times, would a photocopy of the front and back be permissable so that the original can be kept safe?

Thanks for your time.

 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,898]

You MUST file an I-751 package for a conditional green card.  Upon receipt, USCIS will issue you an extension letter which will extended the expiration date on the card for 24 months. It will specifically state that.   You should carry the expired green card and the extension letter. 

[Ani_B 9]

Thanks for confirming. Should I carry the original extension letter with me at all times, or would a photocopy be alright to keep the original safe?

[mindthegap 2,590]

28 minutes ago, Ani_B said:

I just want to confirm, am I just filling out and returning this form: https://www.uscis.gov/i-751  ?

 

Yes. The form, payment, and evidence. 

 

28 minutes ago, Ani_B said:

I was reading somewhere about I-90 for when ym card expires, so I read here https://www.uscis.gov/i-90  , but it specifically states the following (in the screenshot) somewhere on the page that conditional gc holders should not fill out this form. So I see that I should not complete this.

Ignore the I-90. It is not applicable to you.

 

28 minutes ago, Ani_B said:

But I want to confirm that when I send off my application to remove conditions, will the NOA that they send me after receipt act as an extension for when my green card expires next March? 

Yes. the extension letter is valid for two years. After that time you will have to get an i-551 stamp in your passport as continued proof of status. 

 

28 minutes ago, Ani_B said:

 Should I still be able to apply for work / travel as long as I can present my expired green card (after next March) and the NOA that says my petition to remove conditions has been received?

You are confusing your status and your proof of status  - they are not the same thing.

Short answer, yes: You remain a permanent resident and your right to work and to travel remains, and the extension letter combined with the expired card acts as proof of that status for those purposes.  Even easier, for I-9 (work) requirements just show a valid state ID and a SS card which means you don't have to deal with clueless HR depts completely unfamiliar with immigration processes and documentation (as other posters and threads will attest to - as a side note, if your SS card has 'not valid for employment' or similar on it, then apply for a new one now that doesn't have it. It'll potentially save you serious grief later).

 

28 minutes ago, Ani_B said:

Also, if I am to carry my NOA with me at all times, would a photocopy of the front and back be permissable so that the original can be kept safe?

 

You aren't required to carry it with you at all times - a simple scan or photo of it on your phone would suffice. If you do wish to, then yes, a photocopy would be better day to day as you cannot get it replaced should you lose it. 

The original is watermarked - if you travel or have any official purpose to show it, you should take the original with you. 

Edited June 11, 2022 by mindthegap

[Ani_B 9]

Thank you for all your responses.

[Ani_B 9]

I think the only reason I was worried about possibly carrying a copy of my NOA with me was just in case for some reason I get asked to present evidence at some unexpected time - do you think under a circumstance like that, my expired green card and a photocopy of my NOA would suffice? 

[mindthegap 2,590]

54 minutes ago, Ani_B said:

I think the only reason I was worried about possibly carrying a copy of my NOA with me was just in case for some reason I get asked to present evidence at some unexpected time - do you think under a circumstance like that, my expired green card and a photocopy of my NOA would suffice? 

Yes of course, but anyone who legally could ask for that information from you, could look your status up from your A#...

 

Edited June 12, 2022 by mindthegap

[da95826 387]

45 minutes ago, Ani_B said:

I get asked to present evidence at some unexpected time - do you think under a circumstance like that, my expired green card and a photocopy of my NOA would suffice? 

You only need proof of your continued LPR status when doing the following (CGC + extention letter needed)

1) When you travel out of the USA to renter.

2) When you are renewing a drivers license in some states 

3) When you start a new job. (Current employers don’t need it for a update to your I-9)

4) Maybe if you start school or apply for some loans.

 

Your LPR status does not expire when your conditional green card expires, only proof of your LPR status expires. If you are not doing one of the activities  above you don’t need proof of your LPR status.

 

Only a immgration judge can take your LPR away from you. As long as you have an i751 pending your status remains full legal permanent resident no matter how long your case takes.

[Ani_B 9]

Just to check, but if I don't carry a photocopy of my NOA around with me and they want to look up my status by my A# number, is that the same as my USCIS number on the front of my conditional green card? Or would that number only be found on the NOA? Just in case its not on the green card, would carrying a scanned copy of my NOA cover anything that someone would need to look up, if necessary?

Thanks again everyone for all your responses. Much appreciated!

 

10 hours ago, mindthegap said:

Yes of course, but anyone who legally could ask for that information from you, could look your status up from your A#...

 

 

[carmel34 3,635]

9 minutes ago, Ani_B said:

Just to check, but if I don't carry a photocopy of my NOA around with me

It's always better to have a photocopy of the extension letter with you with the green card.  Take the original for travel outside the US so that you can return.

[Mike E 11,739]

We keep my wife’s gc and extension letter handy when we are within 100 miles of the US border. A couple weeks ago, driving east on I-10 from California to Arizona I saw a border patrol pickup truck. That was enough of that and we exited I-10, dug out the extension letter and gc, and she kept it with her in her purse until we got to our hotel.