Traveling With Expired GC

[Khal_Drogo 50]

Probably been answered, but I haven't been able to find it, so I figured I'd ask it again.

We plan on going back to the U.S. for Christmas in December, and right now our I-751 case is pending with the Vermont Service Center. Theoretically, since we filed back in March, if all is good, it should be approved around September and we'll have our new GC by then (according to the USCIS processing estimates on their website).

However, just in case anything happens or our case gets delayed, what do we need to re-enter the U.S.? I was under the impression that all we need was her expired GC and the I-797 extending her status for one year. But I have heard rumor of needing an I-551 stamp on her passport from the U.S. Embassy in London. Which is true? We got plenty of time between now and then, but I want to make sure we're good to go and don't experience any grief at the airport.

Thanks!

[khwaidee1 196]

We used the letter and expired GC in April to enter the U.S., no problem, just looked at the letter, GC, do the finger print scan and we were in. In fact, way easier than using the 551 stamp as we used that 3 times and went to secondary 3 times.

[Darnell 8,478]

1. I was under the impression that all we need was her expired GC and the I-797 extending her status for one year.

2. But I have heard rumor of needing an I-551 stamp on her passport from the U.S. Embassy in London.

1. all she needs.

2. optional, not required.

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

Probably been answered, but I haven't been able to find it, so I figured I'd ask it again.

We plan on going back to the U.S. for Christmas in December, and right now our I-751 case is pending with the Vermont Service Center. Theoretically, since we filed back in March, if all is good, it should be approved around September and we'll have our new GC by then (according to the USCIS processing estimates on their website).

However, just in case anything happens or our case gets delayed, what do we need to re-enter the U.S.? I was under the impression that all we need was her expired GC and the I-797 extending her status for one year. But I have heard rumor of needing an I-551 stamp on her passport from the U.S. Embassy in London. Which is true? We got plenty of time between now and then, but I want to make sure we're good to go and don't experience any grief at the airport.

Thanks!

The purpose of that letter is to extend your status for 1 year pending file review/approval

[tigey 10]

I plan to travel also, when my Green Card is Expired, but I have the 1-797 extension letter. The problem is that when you enter you use a Autoamted Passport Control Kiosk. The last time I entered the only doc it asked me to scan was my Green Card. Now it will read the card as expired and deny entry.

[Pitaya 2,576]

My wife presented her expired GC, the 1-yr extension letter, and her valid passport to the CBP officer at the Blaine, WA border crossing, and had no issues going to Canada or returning to the US this past spring.

YMMV,

Good luck on you immigration journey.

[Khal_Drogo 50]

I plan to travel also, when my Green Card is Expired, but I have the 1-797 extension letter. The problem is that when you enter you use a Autoamted Passport Control Kiosk. The last time I entered the only doc it asked me to scan was my Green Card. Now it will read the card as expired and deny entry.

???

I fly in and out of Atlanta, Baltimore, and Minneapolis/St. Paul airports all the time and have never done an automated kiosk. I have always had to go through a manned desk. Even with TSA PreCheck I have to deal with a human agent. The only place I've seen with the automated kiosks is Europe for EU citizens.

[NikLR 13,220]

You may want to redo your timelines right now for VSC. They're working on October currently.

If you get the 10 year card by Xmas you'll be lucky.

[yonglin 1]

I plan to travel also, when my Green Card is Expired, but I have the 1-797 extension letter. The problem is that when you enter you use a Autoamted Passport Control Kiosk. The last time I entered the only doc it asked me to scan was my Green Card. Now it will read the card as expired and deny entry.

Did this at JFK last week. The machine will read the card as expired and ask you to see an officer (who will then look at your extension letter). Happy travels!

[Khal_Drogo 50]

You may want to redo your timelines right now for VSC. They're working on October currently.

If you get the 10 year card by Xmas you'll be lucky.

Meh, as long as we got the letter it sounds like we're good.

[NikLR 13,220]

Yep.