I filed my family based GC application with help before two years.


I am traveling to Italy on May 14th. My GC expires on 27th July. The requirement for the visa is that I require a permit to return back to the US till 26th August, 2008 and then only they will grant me a visa. Now I cannot file for extension till 27th of April.


Please let me know how I should go about it. Can I make an Infopass appointment and request an extension? I know that even if I file the application I will not receive the NOA till 15th May.

Has anyone come across such a situation? Please help.

Definately make an infopass and talk to them. Make sure the appointment is not till after April 27th.

Fly to Switzerland (no visa-just plastic GC) and drive to Italy, if it is so important for you to travel at these dates. You were actually rejected for Italian visa-or just citing visa rules?

No, I went to the consulate and they said that I have to provide them with a proof of extension. Now if i apply on 28th of April, there is no way that i will receive a proof before that. And also there is no way that I can file before that. It is a very unusual situation. I do not think that I can even drive from Switzerland because even they would deny me entry because of the same issue.

I cannot even cancel because i have made all the bookings which are not cancelable.

The only thing i am left with is take an infopass appointment. Have you heard of anyone getting a NOA in 1 week?

I got my NOA1 in 12 days from VSC. Some people here write that NSC does not issue NOA1 now due to computer glitch. So, I guess depends on cservice center. I would send package day in advance (so, to buy one extra day), would made an infopass (week later-with high hopes that you are in system) and would still go to consulate (show GC to consul-don't tell about expiration-many times they would miss it. If not, try to argue that you are a permanent resident-card expires but not the status-plus show return tickets. I am sure it is in a power of a consul to approve your visa. Plead your case about bookings and loosing money-they all humans, might fly). Regarding the drive from Switzerland-I do not think they check docs (in EU not, but don't have experice with Switzerland; Swz is not part ot EU-so, they might).