Green card but can I still go and get the stamp?

[Cassie 8]

The welcome to america leter can not be used to enter the country.... read it down at the bottom it says it cant be used as a visa.....

But the PR would not be using it as a visa, they would be using it as evidence of their Permanent Resident status. Just like a Green Card is evidence of status, not a visa.

Exactly, and that is why I was told I could use my Approval Letter in lieu of a stamp if I had to travel while waiting for my green card, by my AOS Adjudicating Officer.

He also told me during that interview, the AOS passport stamp came into being because at one time (and for some centres, this is still true) it took upwards of a year between AOS approval and the issuance of the actual card by the service centres. So the stamp served in lieu until the card finally arrived. Now, the stamp is optional -- some district offices don't even stamp anymore. When I was waiting for my card last year, we knew that TSC was taking 3 weeks to a month to issue the card, so we didn't bother making the INFOPASS appointment, especially since we knew we could use my approval letter.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

The welcome to america leter can not be used to enter the country.... read it down at the bottom it says it cant be used as a visa.....

But the PR would not be using it as a visa, they would be using it as evidence of their Permanent Resident status. Just like a Green Card is evidence of status, not a visa.

Exactly, and that is why I was told I could use my Approval Letter in lieu of a stamp if I had to travel while waiting for my green card, by my AOS Adjudicating Officer.

He also told me during that interview, the AOS passport stamp came into being because at one time (and for some centres, this is still true) it took upwards of a year between AOS approval and the issuance of the actual card by the service centres. So the stamp served in lieu until the card finally arrived. Now, the stamp is optional -- some district offices don't even stamp anymore. When I was waiting for my card last year, we knew that TSC was taking 3 weeks to a month to issue the card, so we didn't bother making the INFOPASS appointment, especially since we knew we could use my approval letter.

I thought I would check out about using the Welcome to America letter to enter the States so............

I phoned CBP at Boston Logan Airport.... The officer I spoke to said if you turned up at Boston with only the Welcome Letter and your passport you would not be admitted... The CBP guide states that a valid Greencard or a I-551 stamp are the only acceptable entry Permits that LPR's can use... In the case of emergency i.e: card lost or stolen abroad the US Consulate will issue temp travel docs....

He went on to say that USCIS tell lots of people lots of things that are not accurate.... and you can always call your local CBP and ask their advice as they are the officers that have to make the decision on entry.... not USCIS

so on that info I would not like to even try entering on the Welcome letter...

Kezzie

[meauxna 15]

He went on to say that USCIS tell lots of people lots of things that are not accurate.... and you can always call your local CBP and ask their advice as they are the officers that have to make the decision on entry.... not USCIS

Thanks for calling them Kezzie.. that just cracks me up what the officer said.

Trust me, CBP officers make just as many mistakes in what they tell the public as a USCIS worker. I guess he forgot that they all work for the same boss..

I'd never try the Welcome letter approach myself, either, because I have never heard of it before today (including never heard any success stories).