REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS, next steps????

[isabella r 0]

Hello guys! I came to the USA with a k1 visa back in 2020, got married, recieved a conditional green card on 2022 and will expire in january 2024. I know I am still early but I wanted to know what are the next steps to take? I know we can begin the process of removing these conditions as early as 90 days before the expiration date, but I am curious about the timeline for approval for this new permanent green card and whether an interview is needed. It also worries if I will not be able to travel overseas to see family while I am waiting for the new greencard, or work in the USA. Sorry if this is overwhelming but I am looking for some guidance!

 

Thank you!!!!!!!!

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

Once you file you'll receive a letter that will extend the validity of your GC an extra 48 months -probably more as waiting times have been increasing-. If the extension letter expired before your case is processed/approved, you can get an ADIT "stamp" that serves as GC. So, as long as you file for ROC you can work and travel. 

 

The average processing time will depend on the service center that will process your case and an interview should not be necessary unless you don't provide enough evidence or are chosen randomly. 

 

 

[isabella r 0]

1 minute ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

Once you file you'll receive a letter that will extend the validity of your GC an extra 48 months -probably more as waiting times have been increasing-. If the extension letter expired before your case is processed/approved, you can get an ADIT "stamp" that serves as GC. So, as long as you file for ROC you can work and travel. 

 

The average processing time will depend on the service center that will process your case and an interview should not be necessary unless you don't provide enough evidence or are chosen randomly. 

 

 

Thank you so much! Is it safe to travel overseas with that letter though for let's say a month? 

[mindthegap 2,578]

2 minutes ago, isabella r said:

Is it safe to travel overseas with that letter though for let's say a month? 

Yes. Remember that you need the original letter (not a photocopy - it is watermarked) AND the expired 2 year card. One is useless without the other, so keep them safe. 

 

For any APIS requirements for online check in or whatnot, the expiry date of your green card is the expiry date of the letter - so simply add 48 months onto the expiry date of your 2 year card to calculate the new date. 

Edited April 26, 2023 by mindthegap

[isabella r 0]

understood!! thank you so much sir ! 

[Scandi 4,112]

Did you have an interview for your AOS? If yes, then your ROC interview is likely to be waived.

EDIT to add: It's never too early to start preparing for ROC since USCIS wants to see evidence from your entire marriage.

So for ROC you will want to start collecting evidence from the day you get married, pretty much. 

Edited April 26, 2023 by Scandi

[Sarah&Facundo 589]

You can still work and travel with your expired green card and the extension letter. We traveled many times with these documents. The wait time for the new card will likely be a while, but it varies by state/jurisdiction. For reference, we waited 18 months from the time we applied and my husband received his 10 year green card over the summer. Some wait 2+ years. We were also randomly selected for an interview, but it was super simple and less than 5 minutes since we had no red flags. 

[OldUser 6,170]

26 minutes ago, Sarah&Facundo said:

You can still work and travel with your expired green card and the extension letter.

For work, recommendation is to show unrestricted social security card and ID/DL instead of GC and extension letter to avoid discrimination by employer, as discussed in thread below: