i751 - conditional removal out of country for interview date

[RM1996 7]

46 minutes ago, RM1996 said:

Hi, 

 

I have received an I-797 Notice of Action stating they have extended my green card for 48 months on November 11th.

 

I received a letter regarding my biometric interview on December 31st, 2024. However, I was in California and received the letter once I returned to Florida. I never got an email regarding the interview schedule, so I missed the interview as i was on a flight home that day.

 

I called today to reschedule, and he said that if USCIS believes I haven't abandoned my case they will reschedule an interview in 30 days and I leave the country back to Australia in 2 weeks for 3 weeks!

 

Will I be able to re-enter America when I return? Gives me so much anxiety after the nightmare I had getting into the country almost 2 years ago!

I will be traveling back on a EXPIRED Greencard and my Notice i-797. Will i need to bring anything else if my Biometrics is not scheduled before i leave?

 

 

[OldUser 7,157]

2 minutes ago, RM1996 said:

Thank you! 

This is incorrect..... please don't give people heart attacks when you are unaware!!

@wildbug100420 is right though. Just extension letter isn't enough. Need to have expired GC and valid passport.

[RM1996 7]

14 minutes ago, OldUser said:

@wildbug100420 is right though. Just extension letter isn't enough. Need to have expired GC and valid passport.

I would have an expired GC & Valid Passport, that is common sense when traveling international! 

[OldUser 7,157]

17 minutes ago, RM1996 said:

I would have an expired GC & Valid Passport, that is common sense when traveling international! 

We cannot assume here. Glad it's common sense.

[mindthegap 2,594]

Do a walk-in. Now. Tomorrow. Monday. First thing, last thing, whenever, just do it as soon as possible, and definitely do it before you leave the country.

Take your appointment letter as it has a barcode the need to scan. You can't do a walk in without an appointment, but you can - at their discretion - do it with an appointment on a different date. source: done it  myself multiple times. 

 

If you don't they will - in all probability - issue a denial, as per policy. Don't take everything USCIS tell you as gospel - they lie (frequently), and are also wrong (frequently) about their own policy, and the law. 

Yes, yes, you can refile if denied, but it is a pain in the butt as you still have the prior denial to deal with concurrently (as I know only too well).

 

Yes, you can board a flight to & re-enter the US with your expired card AND the extension letter/receipt. 

 

 

46 minutes ago, RM1996 said:

 wildbug100420 is saying i cannot re-enter the USA with my 48-month extension letter?? 

 

 

Because they are talking rubbish....

 

You are, and remain, a permanent resident, and have a valid 48 month extension letter to accompany your expired card. 

 

 

 

[wildbug100420 148]

1 hour ago, RM1996 said:

Thank you! 

This is incorrect..... please don't give people heart attacks when you are unaware!!

Your first post wasn't very clear. If you had said I have my expiring green card and original 48 months extension letter, I would have answered differently. You said "extended 10 years pending biometrics ". A 2 year green card is either extended or not.  I have seen the extension letters frequently in my line of work and the letters are very clear. 

[Marieke H 2,521]

I have read several experiences from people who tried to schedule new appointments and never received a notification about a new appointment, so I would definitely try to do a walk-in. Bring your original interview letter and explain that you were out of state and did not know about your appointment. Hopefully they will be able to do your biometrics. You don't want to get denied while you are out of the country.

Edited Thursday at 11:02 PM by Marieke H

[Bob in Boston 764]

Do a walk in. They may not take you right away but once they have a hole they will slide you in. The Biometrics are not USCIS. They are a private company under contract to do the Biometrics and are pretty accomidating as they get paid by the volume of clients. Just go there and explain your situation and be polite. I'm sure they will squeeze you in when they can. Prepare to spend some time in there though. Let us know how you make out.

Edited Friday at 12:08 AM by Bob in Boston

[Lemonslice 4,936]

4 hours ago, OldUser said:

Try to walk in and do biometrics late. Just apologize and explain everything. Before the trip

That is also what I would do.  Do not go a Monday morning, it will be super busy.  Say you are prepared to wait as long as it takes for them to slide you between people with appointment; show how important it is to you, but that you will be as flexible as possible to get it done that day.  Bring photocopies of your ticket showing you were in Florida, and that you are leaving soon for Australia.  Breathe, it will be ok. 

[Lemonslice 4,936]

@RM1996

Here is the link to the CBP Carrier information guide, you might want to download a copy to your phone before travelling abroad.  

 

See page 9 of the PDF, arrival by air: https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2023-Nov/Carrier Information Guide ENGLISH.pdf

 

Quote

B. U.S. RESIDENTS — must provide one of the following:
• Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551
• Expired Conditional Resident Card, Form I-551 accompanied by Original Form I-797, Notice of Action indicating the card validity is extended
[...]

 

Edited Friday at 01:30 AM by Lemonslice

[Carpe Vinum 2,330]

6 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

You CAN re-enter the US using either an unexpired Green Card or using an expired conditional Green Card and that 48 month extension letter.

My wife travelled and reentered twice using the extension letter and an expired Green Card. But you need to get the biometrics figured out before you leave. At least I would.

[Sarah&Facundo 599]

You can definitely re-enter with the expired green card, valid extension letter, and valid passport. We did it multiple times. But as others suggested, I would try to do a walk in for Biometrics. And definitely be prepared to wait until someone no shows.

Enjoy seeing your family.

[Scandi 4,176]

I did two walk-in biometric appointments for my two greencards, worked like a charm. I just had to wait a little because they were busy in the morning - I recommend that you try in the afternoon. 

[RM1996 7]

26 minutes ago, Scandi said:

I did two walk-in biometric appointments for my two greencards, worked like a charm. I just had to wait a little because they were busy in the morning - I recommend that you try in the afternoon. 

Thank you! I’m going to try and walk in next week!! 

[visaquestion1234 34]

2 hours ago, RM1996 said:

Thank you! I’m going to try and walk in next week!! 

Not to scold you or anything, but pretty much nothing going on in the next week will be more important than getting your biometrics sorted out. You’re stuck in an urgent time frame and your immigration status/applications are not something to get complacent about. Not saying you are, but I don’t think anyone would advise waiting a week to address this given the dates you’ve given.

Edited Friday at 04:41 PM by visaquestion1234