Extension Letters now being increased to 48 months. (merged)

[Crazy Cat 41,834]

32 minutes ago, Mike E said:

 

I think we will see some of such people file N-400. Get the combo interview, withdraw N-400 after I-751 is approved. 

Who would be in that category?  People who are from countries which do not allow dual citizenship? Anyone else?

[Stein 276]

52 minutes ago, Daphne . said:

But for people who are not necessarily interested in becoming a US Citizen (I am one of them), this kind of sucks... I feel pressured into filing the N-400 now, only to get my I-751 moving.

For the few that wouldn't want citizenship if you could always file for the N-400, get schedule for the combo interview, then go to the I-751 interview which needs to be done first and then "fail" the civics test and not re-schedule taking the test again.  I-751 gest done and you still don't have citizenship.  It would cost you the extra fee for the N-400 filing, though.  Depends on what is worth more to the filier, money or greif dealing with the extension letter.

 

EDIT: Saw that someone posted similar while I was in a meeting and halfway through typing the above!

Edited January 23, 2023 by Stein

[Noname93 200]

I've honestly given thought to the whole 'file N-400 and withdraw' thing but I'd be too scared of being accused of fraud or gaming the system. Another plan I had was to get Hungarian citizenship (takes a year or so, but I'd have to learn Hungarian first, then I'd be eligible since I know I have ancestors there), automatically lose my Austrian citizenship when I take on the Hungarian one, and then apply for N-400 since Hungary allows dual citizenship. As is, I will wait a few more years before doing something so drastic.

 

Here's another interesting question though: I just got the ADIT stamp and USCIS did not take away my greencard. If they actually send 48 month extension letters to everyone with pending I-751s, could I use either to travel? Both?

Edited January 23, 2023 by Noname93
Grammar and punctuation

[OldUser 6,624]

14 minutes ago, Noname93 said:

Here's another interesting question though: I just got the ADIT stamp and USCIS did not take away my greencard. If they actually send 48 month extension letters to everyone with pending I-751s, could I use either to travel? Both?

I believe you should be able to travel with it, if you still have the GC and valid 48 month extension letter, as long as it hasn't been 48 months since your GC expiry.

Edited January 23, 2023 by OldUser

[Mike E 11,739]

16 minutes ago, Noname93 said:

Here's another interesting question though: I just got the ADIT stamp and USCIS did not take away my greencard. If they actually send 48 month extension letters to everyone with pending I-751s, could I use either to travel? 

Attempt to board the flight with the adit stamp. Airlines have at least four decades of experience with those.  Extension letters are newish.  
 

When you land present your gc and extension letter to CBP. 

[Dashinka 24,487]

35 minutes ago, Noname93 said:

I've honestly given thought to the whole 'file N-400 and withdraw' thing but I'd be too scared of being accused of fraud or gaming the system. Another plan I had was to get Hungarian citizenship (takes a year or so, but I'd have to learn Hungarian first, then I'd be eligible since I know I have ancestors there), automatically lose my Austrian citizenship when I take on the Hungarian one, and then apply for N-400 since Hungary allows dual citizenship. As is, I will wait a few more years before doing something so drastic.

 

Here's another interesting question though: I just got the ADIT stamp and USCIS did not take away my greencard. If they actually send 48 month extension letters to everyone with pending I-751s, could I use either to travel? Both?

I really doubt USCIS would pursue any fraud accusations unless something were to be uncovered in either the I751 or N400 applications.  I know they wouldn’t mind the extra fee for the N400.

[Kai G. Llewellyn 837]

I have to cross the border multiple times a week, and I have my doubts that a flimsy extension letter will last 4 years before it falls apart.

 

However, CPR's can get re-entry permits, even with a pending I-751. The permit will be valid up to 2 years depending on the expiry of the GC extension. Given that we've effectively been given a 4-year green card with these extensions, I figure I may as well file for a re-entry permit, if anything to have a more robust document when entering the US, and leave the extension letter at home. Expensive, I know, but it's insurance more than anything for me.

 

Anyone know if stapling the I-751 extension in your passport is a no-no or not?

Edited January 23, 2023 by Kai G. Llewellyn

[OldUser 6,624]

2 minutes ago, Kai G. Llewellyn said:

Anyone know if stapling the I-751 extension in your passport is a no-no or not?

Big no. Altering passport or extension letter in any form or shape is going to cause trouble. 

[Kai G. Llewellyn 837]

2 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Big no. Altering passport or extension letter in any form or shape is going to cause trouble. 

Damn. Are they okay with folding it? xD Because as LPR's we're supposed to have proof of our status at all times.

[OldUser 6,624]

3 minutes ago, Kai G. Llewellyn said:

Given that we've effectively been given a 4-year green card with these extensions, I figure I may as well file for a re-entry permit, if anything to have a more robust document when entering the US, and leave the extension letter at home. Expensive, I know, but it's insurance more than anything for me.

1. This can easily take 12-18 months to get.

2. It's really effective for trips over 1 year. Not sure what effect it may have on future N-400 application. 

[OldUser 6,624]

7 minutes ago, Kai G. Llewellyn said:

Damn. Are they okay with folding it? xD Because as LPR's we're supposed to have proof of our status at all times.

This is a good question. I believe you should be OK folding it, but I don't have 100% certainty about it. I don't fold mine out of caution.

Losing it is going to be very problematic, so I do not carry the original with me (only a copy) everywhere unless I cross the border. Some say that's illegal. I also think waiting for 2+ years for replacement if I lose it, is ridiculous. 

Edited January 24, 2023 by OldUser

[Kai G. Llewellyn 837]

Just now, OldUser said:

1. This can easily take 12-18 months to get.

2. It's really effective for trips over 1 year. Not sure what effect it may have on future N-400 application. 

Ah, yeah I'm not too fussed about how long it'll take to get - Just not having to completely rely on the letter for part of that 4 year period would be good (though I am planning on naturalizing).

 

For N-400, it should be based on physical presence and continued residential ties - the mere presence of a re-entry permit on file shouldn't change one's eligibility if one hasn't stayed out much. My trips are usually single-day affairs.

[Rearviewmirror 397]

Any guesses on how long it’ll take for them to send out the new 48 month letters? 3-4 weeks?

[Moe428 129]

1 hour ago, Kai G. Llewellyn said:

Damn. Are they okay with folding it? xD Because as LPR's we're supposed to have proof of our status at all times.

I folded it into 4 levels for a year and re entered US 3 times using that paper.  Now it's another question what that paper would look like after 4 years of folding.  I only had to have for a year.

[Mike E 11,739]

1 hour ago, Kai G. Llewellyn said:

The permit will be valid up to 2 years depending on the expiry of the GC extension

You won’t get a re-entry permit in 2 years. And after that, you  aren’t getting a brand new  expired re-entry permit.