Physical Green card

[SHELLYandFCO 0]

Hello VJ Family,

So my husband has been here for 7 weeks and he still has not received his GC. What is the general time frame for the green card to be delivered? Is there any agency that I can contact to inquire about it? He has not received the Welcome letter and we are not entirely sure what is his A#. I have read that on the MRIV, it is the registration number. Is this true? We need his A# so that he can apply for Financial Aid for his degree programme, which starts in Spring.

Thanks for all your .

We entered on a K-1 followed by AOS. Filed AOS in October and received green card 12/1/07.

[JA Tam 7]

My wife's green card finally arrived last Friday, about eleven weeks after she entered the US. I guess anything within three, four months is to be considered normal these days.

How long after the welcome notice did she get her greencard?

She has received two welcome notices, with identical wording, but different mailing dates, both basically just saying that the paperwork had been forwarded to USCIS from the POE, and that further communication would follow within 30 days. The first one (dated Nov. 1) arrived on Nov. 16, i.e., about three weeks before the Green Card arrived. The second one (dated Dec. 1) arrived one day after the Green Card. I guess the purpose of the second notice was just to keep the promise made in the first one since its mailing date is exactly 30 days after the first one, and somewhere along the line they actually managed to produce and mail out the actual Green Card.

Thank you so much . That simply means the wait continues....

We entered on a K-1 followed by AOS. Filed AOS in October and received green card 12/1/07.

Wow that was fast, congratulations .

One of co-workers did the AOS interview in Palm Beach and his wife got her GC within a week. I can't understand why it takes so much longer for those of us that interview out of the country and POE.

[Captain Oates 911]

I can't understand why it takes so much longer for those of us that interview out of the country and POE.

You know, if 99.9% of GC's were sent out correct then we wouldn't really bother would we ?

As long as we were certain to get it within 6 months we could just relax...

It's the knowledge that we might have 6 months plus of horrible mess and fighting and struggling and being blocked and told wrong information that causes the anxiety...

I know it takes a couple of weeks for the POE stuff to get on the 'SAVE' system whereas a K1 is already on it, so it might be that extra leg

I am assured by Florida DMV that my 'immigration status' has been verified and so my driver's license has been issued - I look like an emaciated dog which is no wonder after 12 months of this stuff...... also the Social Security people can see me on the 'SAVE' system though they have sent the case off for verification anyway

So I am that far but no further which is more than some poor people get.

I will read that green card 6 times before I believe the details are all correct - and get a second opinion from 'her indoors'

Then I will check it again the following morning

alan

Edited December 11, 2007 by saywhat

[milimelo 4,481]

I can't understand why it takes so much longer for those of us that interview out of the country and POE.

You know, if 99.9% of GC's were sent out correct then we wouldn't really bother would we ?

As long as we were certain to get it within 6 months we could just relax...

It's the knowledge that we might have 6 months plus of horrible mess and fighting and struggling and being blocked and told wrong information that causes the anxiety...

I know it takes a couple of weeks for the POE stuff to get on the 'SAVE' system whereas a K1 is already on it, so it might be that extra leg

I am assured by Florida DMV that my 'immigration status' has been verified and so my driver's license has been issued - I look like an emaciated dog which is no wonder after 12 months of this stuff...... also the Social Security people can see me on the 'SAVE' system though they have sent the case off for verification anyway

So I am that far but no further which is more than some poor people get.

I will read that green card 6 times before I believe the details are all correct - and get a second opinion from 'her indoors'

Then I will check it again the following morning

alan

Alan,

the POE officers made sure I was immediately in the 'SAVE' system (as I was the only CR1 immigrant at that hour) and it turned out to be true since I went four days after we arrived to update my SS card status and there was no problem with that. It's the misinformation line people who are giving out wrong information that gets to me. Oh well, I have made an infopass appointment for 12/19 so will let everyone know what happens.

Do you suggest coming with a filled form for replacement of the card and check book ready?

[Captain Oates 911]

Alan,

the POE officers made sure I was immediately in the 'SAVE' system (as I was the only CR1 immigrant at that hour) and it turned out to be true since I went four days after we arrived to update my SS card status and there was no problem with that. It's the misinformation line people who are giving out wrong information that gets to me. Oh well, I have made an infopass appointment for 12/19 so will let everyone know what happens.

Do you suggest coming with a filled form for replacement of the card and check book ready?

That sounds a really good idea - the 7 P's .......

perfect planning and preparation prevents p... poor performance

I think calling the USCIS could actually make things worse. I said my initial address would be in Milwaukee but put my friend's address in Georgia as the place to send the green card to. Then 2 weeks after arriving i changed my address at USCIS online so that it is now Florida.

I am tempted to ask em where the green card will go now but I fear they will just put a block on it if they cannot comprehend

The Milwaukee address is Carolyn's mother's and is still valid

The Georgia address is my friend's and is still valid

The Florida address is current

So I really don't care which address it goes to, and as it does not have to be signed for, it won't be returned to them hopefully

Yes let's keep in touch us IR1/CR1 people using this thread because the other forum for GC is really about AOS folk who get theirs quickly (usually!)

alan

Edited December 12, 2007 by saywhat

[JA Tam 7]

Alan,

the POE officers made sure I was immediately in the 'SAVE' system (as I was the only CR1 immigrant at that hour) and it turned out to be true since I went four days after we arrived to update my SS card status and there was no problem with that. It's the misinformation line people who are giving out wrong information that gets to me. Oh well, I have made an infopass appointment for 12/19 so will let everyone know what happens.

Do you suggest coming with a filled form for replacement of the card and check book ready?

I can't believe you have been waiting 2 months since the welcome notice to get your greencard. That is crazy. I understand that they are overworked over at USCIS, but my Lord, the AOS GC's are being received within days and we are waiting months to get something this important.

I hope you get that little piece of plastic soon.

[JA Tam 7]

UPDATE: When I got home this evening, I realized that we received a second welcome letter and in a separate envelope was my hubby's GC. Everything is correct; his name, birthday, picture, expiration date...

I pray that everyone else who is waiting on the GC will receive it soon and with no mistakes!!!

[Captain Oates 911]

UPDATE: When I got home this evening, I realized that we received a second welcome letter and in a separate envelope was my hubby's GC. Everything is correct; his name, birthday, picture, expiration date...

I pray that everyone else who is waiting on the GC will receive it soon and with no mistakes!!!

WOW !!! read it again and again !!!! it's all correct ? - the deliberate error department at USCIS must have made a mistake and sent it out correct !

thats wonderful news - right first time !!!!

big relax now eh ? congrats - now dont lose it !!!!! and no 'moral turpitude' ok haha !

I am 6 weeks on Monday so another week or two might do it !

hooray ! alan

[JA Tam 7]

UPDATE: When I got home this evening, I realized that we received a second welcome letter and in a separate envelope was my hubby's GC. Everything is correct; his name, birthday, picture, expiration date...

I pray that everyone else who is waiting on the GC will receive it soon and with no mistakes!!!

WOW !!! read it again and again !!!! it's all correct ? - the deliberate error department at USCIS must have made a mistake and sent it out correct !

thats wonderful news - right first time !!!!

big relax now eh ? congrats - now dont lose it !!!!! and no 'moral turpitude' ok haha !

I am 6 weeks on Monday so another week or two might do it !

hooray ! alan

God's willing, they will surprise you too!

[Captain Oates 911]

ok 6 weeks today since POE at Chicago.. expecting another week before GC

I am researching what do if it is not received 'just in case'

One of the eventualities is if I changed address and the GC is returned as 'undeliverable'

I have changed address (from Carolyn's mother's house) but as I understand it, the GC just arrives in the mailbox as a plain envelope postmarked 'Mesquite, Texas' and I dont have to sign..

How can it be 'undeliverable' ??? would that mean the person at the address takes it to the post office and says the subject of the Green Card has moved ?

I can't see any other way that it would be returned as undeliverable ? can anyone else ?

alan

[Silas 0]

Great thread, it's given me a more realistic time frame of when to expect my GC. I'm flying back to the UK for Christmas so had hoped that it would come before then but hopefully it just means that it'll be waiting for me when I get back in the New Year (provided immigration let me back in )

I'm a bit confused about the 'SAVE' system that people are mentioning. Am I correct in thinking that if I wasn't entered properly on that I would have had problems when dealing with the SSA office?

[Captain Oates 911]

Great thread, it's given me a more realistic time frame of when to expect my GC. I'm flying back to the UK for Christmas so had hoped that it would come before then but hopefully it just means that it'll be waiting for me when I get back in the New Year (provided immigration let me back in )

I'm a bit confused about the 'SAVE' system that people are mentioning. Am I correct in thinking that if I wasn't entered properly on that I would have had problems when dealing with the SSA office?

Yes when I first came in on K1 I was told not to go to the SS office for 10 days or so as I would not be on the SAVE system and they would send a form off which would take 6 weeks to verify

I went after about a week and risked it as I was going to say dont send a form i will come back in 3 days...

ok round 2

Anyway I went to Clearwater SS office 2 weeks ago today and they could see me on the SAVE system as entering November 5..he said they still had to verify now, but that is electronic and takes 2 days instead of the 12 weeks it used to take (it says 12 on the form)

So he reckoned 2 weeks max I would have the SS card (I want a new one coz the original k1 is restricted - no work)

anyway 2 weeks today and no card

but at least the SAVE system means they didnt lose the record of you landing which is a bit of a help

I am researching what happens if the GC does not turn up and I dont want to go there !

Ir1 and CR1 folk have a 12 month GC in their visa wording (551)so its not crucial just now - but in another week i will get edgy coz a year or 18 months means nothing to the USCIS and they are getting worse by the day

I changed my address but my old one is my mother in law's so that should not make a difference and it should not be returned to them unless there is something i don't know - the GC's still don't have to be signed for as far as i know...

Edited December 18, 2007 by saywhat

[Silas 0]

Great thread, it's given me a more realistic time frame of when to expect my GC. I'm flying back to the UK for Christmas so had hoped that it would come before then but hopefully it just means that it'll be waiting for me when I get back in the New Year (provided immigration let me back in )

I'm a bit confused about the 'SAVE' system that people are mentioning. Am I correct in thinking that if I wasn't entered properly on that I would have had problems when dealing with the SSA office?

Yes when I first came in on K1 I was told not to go to the SS office for 10 days or so as I would not be on the SAVE system and they would send a form off which would take 6 weeks to verify

I went after about a week and risked it as I was going to say dont send a form i will come back in 3 days...

ok round 2

Anyway I went to Clearwater SS office 2 weeks ago today and they could see me on the SAVE system as entering November 5..he said they still had to verify now, but that is electronic and takes 2 days instead of the 12 weeks it used to take (it says 12 on the form)

So he reckoned 2 weeks max I would have the SS card (I want a new one coz the original k1 is restricted - no work)

anyway 2 weeks today and no card

but at least the SAVE system means they didnt lose the record of you landing which is a bit of a help

I am researching what happens if the GC does not turn up and I dont want to go there !

Ir1 and CR1 folk have a 12 month GC in their visa wording (551)so its not crucial just now - but in another week i will get edgy coz a year or 18 months means nothing to the USCIS and they are getting worse by the day

I changed my address but my old one is my mother in law's so that should not make a difference and it should not be returned to them unless there is something i don't know - the GC's still don't have to be signed for as far as i know...

Guess, I've been lucky with the SS card. When it didn't arrive after a couple of weeks I went to the main SSA office here in Philadelphia - being a bit of a foppish Englishman I really did stick out like a sore thumb there. I got someone who didn't have a clue about getting me a number and card so thankfully her supervisor - who was far more competent - did all the donkey work and my card arrived last week.

The Green Card situation is just plain daft. Like you Alan I don't want to think about it if it doesn't turn up. We're living in a global age where people cross national borders as a matter of course for work, holidays, etc; I think USCIS still thinks it's the 1920s and once we get through Ellis Island we're not going to need to ever leave the US. What I find confusing is the need for the Green Card period. Why can the physical visa in the passport not replace it? Conditional residents get stamped for 2 years on entering POE; 10 for those who have been married 10 years. Does the Green Card contain any information that is not included in the visa?

[Captain Oates 911]

Guess, I've been lucky with the SS card. When it didn't arrive after a couple of weeks I went to the main SSA office here in Philadelphia - being a bit of a foppish Englishman I really did stick out like a sore thumb there. I got someone who didn't have a clue about getting me a number and card so thankfully her supervisor - who was far more competent - did all the donkey work and my card arrived last week.

The Green Card situation is just plain daft. Like you Alan I don't want to think about it if it doesn't turn up. We're living in a global age where people cross national borders as a matter of course for work, holidays, etc; I think USCIS still thinks it's the 1920s and once we get through Ellis Island we're not going to need to ever leave the US. What I find confusing is the need for the Green Card period. Why can the physical visa in the passport not replace it? Conditional residents get stamped for 2 years on entering POE; 10 for those who have been married 10 years. Does the Green Card contain any information that is not included in the visa?

Great minds think alike - I was just thinking tonight - why does it say one year instead of 10 - as you say it has the date of entry and the alien number and a photo etc etc..actually i bet the visa has a lot more info than the green card and is a lot harder to fake....

I still have my SS card from K1 so i was able to get bank accounts/credit card and a driver's license - so I am only getting one that doesn't say 'no work' in order to kill time and boost my morale and kid myself I am getting somewhere...

When I came in 2 years ago I thought Americans were bureaucratic Neanderthals but then Carolyn came to live in the UK and once she landed it was actually harder for her to get bank accounts etc and a NI number, even though she has a UK 'green card'.

Certainly the U.S. system needs a massive axe taking to it for the sake of America even more than the immigrants. The USCIS has just taken on 1500 more staff when they could halve their existing staff EASILY if they ran the show properly. In the case of a lost or wrong GC, a phone call from the immigrant should cause a new one to go to a USCIS office to be collected in person by the immigrant - a swap in the case of a wrong one. 2 minutes at the USCIS end and 5 minutes at the USCIS field office. Not a 12 month nightmare.

I could halve the USCIS AND improve security and vastly improve service in 4 hours...

the GC's are sent out in plain envelopes and don't even have to be signed for !!!! then if it doesnt arrive there is a huge kefuffle to get another. Idiotic. They should send em to field offices for collection at the front desk on full proof of ID. 2 minute job. If they are wrong they could fix it there on the system and then and get you to call back in 5 days to pick up the amended one

Anyway, given all the info they have on us, why isn't there a program which says 'print green card'...obviously there isnt and some bored office slave is slamming it all in manually AGAIN to produce the card....with predictable results

I read that naturalization is even worse and they take your GC from you and then..... oh i can't even think about it...

[milimelo 4,481]

Hey Alan and others,

here's an update on my green card: we went in yesterday to Infopass in Chicago. Showed up half an hour earlier and were immediately let in. There were very few people there and we were at the counter in no time after they checked in our appointment and gave us a receipt with a number to watch for on TV screen. A lady working there checked my papers and then read from the computer that my card has been sent off in July '07 and that they have no idea why I did not received it, but that it happens all the time! At that point my husband started inquiring how come no one has to sign for the card when it is delivered either to the post office and then to the immigrant. She said the same thing we all know - that it is being sent via regular mail with no protection and no signature required.

My only option is to e-file I-90 and she says the good thing is you can print your NoA immediately once the payment is processed (CC). So I guess we will have to go that route as she clearly said I won't be getting a stamp after May 2008 unless I show proof of filing.

My husband is now thinking of writing to his Congressman and Senators about this matter.

Also brought up is class action suit for all those people whose green card never showed up (happens all the time) and they had to pay another $370 to get a new one (also happens all the time?).

Does anyone here have any idea what number of people who have never received their green cards and had to refile I-90 (and pay $$$) are we talking about?

End ranting...