RM1996

For anyone who sees this post in the future - I had no problems traveling with my expired green card, pending a missed biometrics. My case has not been updated as I received an email saying there was no need to do my biometrics appointment at this time. I flew from Australia > to Nadi with no issues. I was checked in to Los Angeles in Australia and did not have to present my green card or extension letter at any time in Australia or Nadi even though I put in an expired green card on online check in. When arriving at LAX I went through global entry and saw the CBP with my extension letter and went on my merry way.

Hi All, Do I need form I-551 when traveling with a valid Australian Passport, expired green card, and an I-797 extension letter? I am making my way back to the United States tomorrow with a short layover in Fiji from Australia. I've seen some people have had issues boarding planes back to the USA in these countries and want to ensure I have my ducks in a row. I have downloaded the Carrier Information Guide and it says the below. 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 • Immigrant visa and passport • Temporary residence stamp (“ADIT”) contained in a passport or on Form I-94 • Reentry permit, Form I-327 • Refugee travel document, Form I-571 • Temporary Protected Status, Form I-512T • Parole authorization, Form I-512 Parole Authorization, Form I-512, or EAD Combo Card • Employment authorization document, Form I-766 • U.S. Government issued transportation letter / Lincoln Boarding Foil I do not have Form I-551. From what I'm reading above, it states I should provide one of the following per bracket. I only have an expired conditional resident card and original extension form i-797 and I ALSO have an email from USCIS saying that my biometrics didn't need to be rescheduled at this time. Just want to have the reassurance and confidence if I get myself into a pickle.

Yes that’s what I was thinking… my green card is valid until January 27th. Maybe I’ll hear back after that.

Yes you rejogged my memory! I got a letter saying they weren’t clear enough. I immigrated in 2023 🙂

I had biometrics done when I first moved to America on my CR1 visa. From memory, I couldn’t get my SSN/GC till I completed it. No one I knew from Australia who moved on a CR1 visa with me was required to complete the biometrics but I was.

Yes would love to know. I contacted them twice today and both of them hung up on me. Also tried Emma on chat today and the chats have been ended by all 3 representatives. Not sure how to get answers, seems like they don’t want to tell me anything 🥲

Thank you! Is it normal nothing has been updated in my USCIS account?

Update: I received this email 01/13/25 regarding the rescheduling of my biometrics. The status of this service request is: You recently contacted us regarding your biometrics. After checking our system, we have found that your biometrics are still valid, and you will not be scheduled for a new appointment at this time. If you need further information regarding the status of your case, please check Case Status online at www.uscis.gov. Not sure what this means, could it mean that because my green card is STILL valid up until the 24th of January it doesn't need to be rescheduled? On hold with them for an update. My case state has not been updated either.

Thank you so much! Do i upload it on my I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence case under documents > unsolicited evidence? This is so nice, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Thank you! I had a feeling about this. I guess I can only prepare my documents correctly and try my best to get my biometrics done asap. CBP have always been a pain to deal with, I guess I will educate myself on my rights and hope for the best if they give me grief when I come home.

I wish I saw this! I did everything you said except going in on a Monday. I was actually crying! My grandpa is sick at the moment and I need to go home. I told him how sorry I am and he seemed very apologetic he couldn’t help me. I will try again this week. Ive read about 10 other people’s experience on here having the same problem, that if you do not have an appointment date they can’t see you and to wait till it’s rescheduled then they can see you earlier.

I've read on quite a few other threads many other people have been denied when they don't have an interview date scheduled! If you have one scheduled they can do it. Would love to know if others on here were able to walk in with no date of reschedule!

Thank you, i called on Friday and haven't heard anything! Hopefully, I get something this week 😭.

Getting through CBP is always very anxiety-driven. Do you think I should contact an immigration lawyer in case I have issues entering? I wouldn't go home unless it was dire. I was silly to not check my USCIS account and rely solely on an email. Lesson learnt!

Hi all, I posted previously about missing my biometrics appointment (not an interview) as I was out of state and didn't receive the letter or an email update. I walked in today and was advised they could not do my biometrics by the supervisor (who works there every day) because I do not have a future appointment, they only allow walk-ins if you have an appointment booked. He was very apologetic and said there was no way he could help me unless, in the next 9 days, I got my new appointment letter, he would do it himself. I called USCIS as soon as I got home, and I know to take them with a grain of salt. She told me I could leave and re-enter the country as long as I had my expired green card, extension letter and a valid passport. She confirmed with me, that my case is currently pending a new rescheduled date - I know not to remain hopeful about what they say. She also said you can reschedule your appointment twice before they consider it an ''abandoned case'', so if I'm in Australia and receive the new rescheduled date and I can't make it, that's my last time I can change it. I know my appointment is considered missed. I have to return home for family reasons and cannot postpone my trip, so before all comments on here start flooding in saying not to leave, I have to. My question is: Has anyone else been in a similar situation as me and had problems coming back into the borders? Should I consider seeking out an immigration lawyer in case I have issues getting back into the country? - that could be a dumb question but would love to know your advice. I also looked at other USCIS offices around me and it's a 4-hour drive away. I know USCIS is very messy and I have already dealt with that with my CR-1 visa, I obviously wouldn't be risking this all, unless it was for a dire reason.

Hi, I'm having the same problem. You did a walk-in after missing your biometrics appointment an they let you do it? I went in today and was informed I could not do my biometrics as I do not have a schedule appointment date.

Can you please give an update? Same thing has happened to me!

I have to go home for family reasons. It’s a trip I can no longer delay or reschedule at this point. I do believe & hope the extension letter will allow me to return into the United States with a pending or scheduled biometrics date.

Yes, I’ve heard horror stories of it all. I am going to keep a close eye on it while I travel back to Australia. Hopefully it goes smoothly for me and doesn’t result in a accidental denied case

My extension letter tells me I can travel out of the country and work in America as it gives me 48 months on validity on an expired Greencard. I am only pending a biometric interview. Hopefully I get the appointment date before I leave.

The supervisor was saying anyone would have a difficult time letting me do my biometrics because USCIS is rescheduling me a new date. If I had a new date, I’d be able to do the biometrics today, but because I was pending a new date, they can’t do anything.

Walked in today, told by the supervisor they could not see me. You can only walk in if you have a new appointment date in the future, not one that has been missed and USCIS is currently rescheduling. I just called USCIS and they confirmed with me I can TRAVEL out of the country with my expired green card, my I-797 Notice of Action extending my green card for 48 months & a valid Australian Passport. The I-797 Notice of Action makes my Green Card VALID to re-enter the country & work in the country. You can MISS & CHANGE your BIOMETRICS appointment only 2 TIMES before your case is abandoned and this is my first time, if I am in Australia when the appointment is rescheduled, I can change it only ONCE MORE.. You can reschedule it online, message them through your USCIS account or call them! I know to take information from USCIS customer service with a grain of salt, but my expired Green card is valid with my I-797 extension letter. My case is pending a NEW APPOINTMENT DATE.

Walked in today, told by the supervisor they could not see me. You can only walk in if you have a new appointment date in the future, not one that has been missed and USCIS is currently rescheduling.

I just called USCIS and they confirmed with me I can TRAVEL out of the country with my expired green card, my I-797 Notice of Action extending my green card for 48 months & a valid Australian Passport. The I-797 Notice of Action makes my Green Card VALID to re-enter the country & work in the country. You can MISS & CHANGE your BIOMETRICS appointment only 2 TIMES before your case is abandoned and this is my first time, if I am in Australia when the appointment is rescheduled, I can change it only ONCE MORE.. You can reschedule it online, message them through your USCIS account or call them! I know to take information from USCIS customer service with a grain of salt, but my expired Green card is valid with my I-797 extension letter. My case is pending a NEW APPOINTMENT DATE.

Don't travel?? Even though i have an EXTENSION letter allowing me to leave America and work in the country with an expired green card? If I can't leave the country, how can I work in the country? All very confusing.. When I spoke to the Supervisor he said this HAPPENS all the time, especially over Christmas and New Year Holidays.