VSC - I-751 - Delayed Biometrics - Foreign Travel

[yorker123 0]

Hi all,

I think my case is running a little slow. I have to go to another foreign country in a few months time and I am wondering what my options are. Please take a look at my timeline and advise.

Sep 2007 - Filed I-751 at VSC

Dec 2007 - 2 year anniversary. Conditional card expired. Got passport stamped with I-551 (because I had to travel abroad)

Apr 2008 - Received NOA (quite late !)

Aug 2008 - Biometrics appt (done yesterday !)

Dec 2008 - I-551 stamp expires. Right after that I have to travel abroad again (New Zealand).

I need a visa to New Zealand and they require a proof that I am allowed to come back to the US. My questions are

Q1) Should I try to get an infopass appointment and get another I-551 stamp? Do they even allow that 3 months in advance of I-551 expiration?

Q2) Do they send any RFEs after biometrics? Could they schedule an interview now?

Q3) I have noticed from other timelines that it usually takes between 4-6 months from biometrics appointment to delivery of a new card. But if I look at VSC processing time, it says they are currently processing Sep 2007 (my month). Should I expect my final card within the next few days or 4-6 months from now?

Any thoughts/suggestions/guidance is much appreciated.

Thanks !

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Hi all,

I think my case is running a little slow. I have to go to another foreign country in a few months time and I am wondering what my options are. Please take a look at my timeline and advise.

Sep 2007 - Filed I-751 at VSC

Dec 2007 - 2 year anniversary. Conditional card expired. Got passport stamped with I-551 (because I had to travel abroad)

Apr 2008 - Received NOA (quite late !)

Aug 2008 - Biometrics appt (done yesterday !)

Dec 2008 - I-551 stamp expires. Right after that I have to travel abroad again (New Zealand).

I need a visa to New Zealand and they require a proof that I am allowed to come back to the US. My questions are

Q1) Should I try to get an infopass appointment and get another I-551 stamp? Do they even allow that 3 months in advance of I-551 expiration?

If, by the time you get closer to your date of travel in December, you have not already received your approval, make an infopass to get the I-551 stamp in your passport again. They should be able to extend your status for another 6 months or a year to cover your time abroad.

Q2) Do they send any RFEs after biometrics? Could they schedule an interview now?

They can send an RFE at any time. The most likely one would be for the most recent tax returns for those who filed in 2007. They could also schedule an interview now. Anything is possible, still.

Q3) I have noticed from other timelines that it usually takes between 4-6 months from biometrics appointment to delivery of a new card. But if I look at VSC processing time, it says they are currently processing Sep 2007 (my month). Should I expect my final card within the next few days or 4-6 months from now?

It seems that for the 2007 filers things are moving more quickly now. They have started to approve some of the applications filed in October. I expect you will probably have your 10 year approved card before you need to worry about getting your passport stamped. If you don't however, wait until closer to your travel date and get the stamp then. It is a fall back option that you probably won't need.

Any thoughts/suggestions/guidance is much appreciated.

Thanks !

Oops - just read that you need the visa for New Zealand. How long does that visa take to get? Count back from when you leave to how long that visa gets and then decide if you need to proceed with the stamp and proof now or closer to the date. I am not sure USCIS will give you another stamp much prior to the expiry of this one, although you could make an infopass and explain your need for proof of return. You will have proof of return certainly, but will New Zealand understand that? I don't know. Why not try for the New Zealand Visa now and if they deny it, then proceed with getting the stamp and you can use the denial from New Zealand as proof that you need the stamp earlier. Good luck.

Edited August 8, 2008 by Kathryn41

[yorker123 0]

Thanks Kathryn, very helpful !