I-751 Process while stationed overseas

[GoingCrazy2012 16]

We will be filing for Removal of Conditions next month but we're currently stationed overseas. We know where, what, and when to send all the I-751 package so that is NOT the question.

However, here are our main doubts:

1. Since the I-751 process for military stationed overseas falls under "exceptions" and it requires us to send fingerprint cards and passport photos (biometrics) along with the initial application, my first assumption is that the biometrics appointment never happens. Am I correct?

2. I have read about some people under the same circumstances who have filled for I-751 from abroad and after everything is processed (provided solid evidence has been submitted), they just get the 10-year green card in the mail a couple of months later (without going through an interview) but .....

I have also read about USCIS putting your case on hold until you return to the States in order to conduct the interview, and what they do is they extend the conditional green card for an extra year. But what about if you are permanently PCS overseas? or keep getting back to back orders overseas?

Please submit your comments only if yo know about the subject and don't just post for posting or speculate about something you don't know just because you think you know it all about immigration.

Thanks!

[Scott and Mhay 57]

We will be filing for Removal of Conditions next month but we're currently stationed overseas. We know where, what, and when to send all the I-751 package so that is NOT the question.

However, here are our main doubts:

1. Since the I-751 process for military stationed overseas falls under "exceptions" and it requires us to send fingerprint cards and passport photos (biometrics) along with the initial application, my first assumption is that the biometrics appointment never happens. Am I correct?

That is correct, there is no biometrics appointment, but you still have to pay the fee.

2. I have read about some people under the same circumstances who have filled for I-751 from abroad and after everything is processed (provided solid evidence has been submitted), they just get the 10-year green card in the mail a couple of months later (without going through an interview) but .....

We never had an interview, the green card just showed up. Check my signature.

I have also read about USCIS putting your case on hold until you return to the States in order to conduct the interview, and what they do is they extend the conditional green card for an extra year. But what about if you are permanently PCS overseas? or keep getting back to back orders overseas?

Please submit your comments only if yo know about the subject and don't just post for posting or speculate about something you don't know just because you think you know it all about immigration.

Thanks!

See the red. We went through this just after getting to Italy. We never had an interview. I don't know if that is the norm. I know I talked to the passport office and they said that normally the consulate people would come up for an interview. I am on a 4 year tour here in italy, so that could have had something to do with it.

[GoingCrazy2012 16]

Greetings,

Thank you so much for all that valuable information. Our timelines are very similar as we'll be submittiing our I-751 package in a few weeks. Just out of curiosity, what examples of evidence did you submit? I have compiled stuff that I think constitutes good evidence but a third set of eyes to double check never hurts. Hope you don't mind sharing that info.

I hope you continue to enjoy your duty in Italy.

Alex

[GoingCrazy2012 16]

Also forgot to ask how do you determine whether to send your package to either Vermont or California? The instructions say that you send the papers to either or based on your state of residence but in our case we don't reside in the States. So which of the two is it? Could it be based on the last State in which you resided prior to departing the US?

[Scott and Mhay 57]

We included the birth certificate of our son, some pictures, joint tax returns, a statement from the bank showing a joint account, a copy of my SGLI showing my wife as a beneficiary, a copy of an LES, and a copy of my orders getting stationed in Italy.

I don't remember sending any affidavits with the I-751.

We sent it to California because I am a resident of Alaska and it shows on my LES that way too.

[GoingCrazy2012 16]

Thank you so much for all those extra details. Your information has been really helpful. Just curious, do you remember listing your foreign address on the I-751 application as your residential address? or did you list your US address?

I've read somewhere online that sometimes listing a foreign address could cause the Service Center to put the petition on hold (I don't know if it is different with military personnel under orders overseas, though).

We're residents of Florida so I figured we will be sending our I-751 package to the Vermont Service Center (according to what the instructions on the website say).

[Scott and Mhay 57]

We used our physical address here in italy on the I-751 and APO address for the mailing address. Just make sure to write "Active Military" on the form just like in the instructions.

I looked back and we also included a copy of the permanent resident card...that is in the instructions though, so I am sure you have that already.

Edited March 3, 2014 by Scott and Mhay

[GoingCrazy2012 16]

Thanks for your input. At first I had listed our physical address in Bahrain but then hesitated about it because I read somewhere that there could be a possible delay in processing the petition, so I changed it to our last physical address in FL.

What I didn't think though is that us (military) are a special case and we're not overseas because of personal choice like other applicants but under Government orders plus it wouldn't make sense if I list our "present physical address in FL" but the supporting documentation says that we live in Bahrain.

I will change our physical address back to Bahrain and ensure it reads "ACTIVE MILITARY" at the top of each page of the I-751 form.

Thanks!

[janulka27 0]

Hi,

first of all, thanks for this discussion - it has answered lot of my questions . We're in the same situation - stationed in Germany and I'm about to start the renewal process.

I was also confused about the physical and mailing address and I was actually thinking about using the APO address for both as in the form you can select only the US states, not other countries...Did you fill it out manually? Or did you select "AE" in the physical address in the 'State field' as well?

Another question that I would like to ask you...After you left the States did you update the address with the USCIS? Well, I didn't - I still have my US address there. But we've been in Germany for over a year now and I'm not sure if I should update it or just let it be....Thank you!

Edited March 4, 2014 by janulka27

[GoingCrazy2012 16]

Glad we could help. To answer your questions. I suggest you use your actual "Physical Address" in Germany and then the APO address as your mailing address. I didn't fill it out manually, I just left the State and Zip Code blocks in blank and under City, I wrote: Manama Bahrain or in your case your city and country.

For your second question, we updated our address online with USCIS not right away upon arrival (because we were staying at a hotel for 45 days), but as soon as we moved into our actual apartment and I had an address. You are supposed to report your change of address within 10 days of moving into a new residential property. For this I suggest you update your address online and get a confirmation as soon as possible, the reason being is that all documentation from USCIS, including the new green card will be sent to the address on file and if you keep your US address in their records, any NOA or GC will be delivered to an address where you no longer live.

So save yourself a headache and change your address when you get a chance. The link to change your address online is:

https://egov.uscis.gov/coa/displayCOAForm.do

[janulka27 0]

Thank you!

[GoingCrazy2012 16]

I was thinking about mailing our I-751 package next week via DHL since I have both options USPS and DHL on base BUT ... I was about to fill out the DHL shipping label and it reads: "DHL cannot deliver to a PO Box" and since the Vermont service center mailing address is a PO Box, I guess I'm gonna have to send it via USPS with tracking.

How did you send your package from Aviano AB?

Thanks!

[Scott and Mhay 57]

I just sent it in one of the priority envelopes with delivery confirmation. I think I did the signature card too, so someone had to physically sign for it.

[GoingCrazy2012 16]

All right! so we mailed our I-751 package on the 15th in the afternoon and it was received Stateside on the 19th of March. The earliest we could file was on the 17th, so we are good as far as timeline goes.

Is there anyway of checking on the status of it? (such as if it was accepted or not). Or do we only get to know that until we receive the NOA1 in the mail?

[Scott and Mhay 57]

There is no real way to check status. Just look for the check to be cashed. You will get the NOA1, which will also be an extension of the green card. I wasn't able to track the case number online. I called the helpline and they told me there was no real tracking, just to wait.