late filing, need i-551 for trip in 5 days

[obnancy 5]

Advice appreciated: My husbands green card expires today. Orginally, I was waiting to file because we had done an extension on our 2012 taxes and I wanted them done so I could include them and avoid an RFE. (Extension filed because he is Australian and their tax year is different than ours and my accountant needs stuff from his accountant, etc.)

Life got crazy, my best friend (45) died sitting at her computer and her 9 year old daughter found her from a faulty heart valve, husbands best friends wife died of Melanoma (49). Both have two children we have been helping with. Then my aunt who has no children had a stroke and I went to Texas to take care of her, she passed and I returned home last Weds and realized I never filed my husbands I-751. His green card expires today 10/08/12.

Got the packet together real fast, already had the notarized affidavits and most of packet together and overnighted it on Weds, Oct 3rd. Got confirmation it was received on Thursday at the Laguna Niguel office at 10:30am via USPS tracking so they received it four days before his green card expiration.

Next problem. We have a family vacation scheduled leaving the country to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico leaving this Friday. How fast have people been getting their NOA 1's in the mail???

I just went on the computer and scheduled the first INFO pass appointment I could get on this Weds where I will try to see if they will give him a I-551 stamp in his passport. Any advice on how to persuade them to do this?

Thanks!!!!!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Well first, while it was received on time, they base it on when the NOA1 is process. When I filed my ROC in April it was doing those the same day. It took 13 days for me to get the NOA1 even though it was dated the day they received it.

You will be able to persuade them (hopefully) by showing them your itinerary, that you booked non-refundable tickets, and if it's in the system as received. They shouldn't have any problems with stamping his passport because he filed and the NOA1 is like the stamp in that it extends his status.

Make sure you have someone you trust checking your mail and remember that if it's denied while he's out of the country he won't be allowed back in.

Good luck and have a great trip!

[bigdog 376]

I would not leave the country without your NOA1 and stamp in passport. Good Luck.

[lovelyalex 99]

I've travelled without the stamp. I don't have one. And when I travelled they never asked to see my NOA1. That being said, I would not advise going anywhere without that.

Have your checks been cashed? Can you phone to see if they have issued the NOA1? Generally they ship pretty fast.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

If his information is in the system then he should be able to get the I-551 stamp in his passport at the Infopass. Bring along proof of mailing, whatever you have showing receipt at USCIS of the package, copy of your travel arrangements and tickets and be prepared to explain why you didn't file earlier knowing that you had these travel arrangements planned. If they don't have the information in the system then they won't be able to give him the I-551 because they will not have any paperwork upon which to base the extension. They will use his A# to check his file so be sure he has his green card with him as well.

Good luck!

Edited October 9, 2012 by Kathryn41

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I've travelled without the stamp. I don't have one. And when I travelled they never asked to see my NOA1. That being said, I would not advise going anywhere without that.

Have your checks been cashed? Can you phone to see if they have issued the NOA1? Generally they ship pretty fast.

Was your greencard expired when you traveled and did you travel internationally? I flew back to Aus and on the way back here with an expired GC they asked for my extension. My ID was expired so I'm not surprised.

[lovelyalex 99]

Was your greencard expired when you traveled and did you travel internationally? I flew back to Aus and on the way back here with an expired GC they asked for my extension. My ID was expired so I'm not surprised.

Yup, I flew in and out of Boston Logan to Heathrow, in July and June, and my card expired at the beginning of March prior to that. They just scanned it, and that was it. I presume the information shows electronically when they do it. I had the letter ready to give them and everything!

[obnancy 5]

Thank you everyone for your help! I guess I finally deserved some good news and my husbands I 751 receipt and one year extension just arrived in the mail today. Yeah!!!! That was less than a week from mailing date with a holiday on Monday.

I am cancelling our info pass tomorrow as he can use the extension letter with his current green card to get back in the country. Now we can just join the Oct 2011 filers and wait it out.

Again, big thanks to those who replied.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thank you everyone for your help! I guess I finally deserved some good news and my husbands I 751 receipt and one year extension just arrived in the mail today. Yeah!!!! That was less than a week from mailing date with a holiday on Monday.

I am cancelling our info pass tomorrow as he can use the extension letter with his current green card to get back in the country. Now we can just join the Oct 2011 filers and wait it out.

Again, big thanks to those who replied.

Excellent news!! Remember you need to take the ORIGINAL with you but make sure you scan or photocopy it for your records as well

[obnancy 5]

Excellent news!! Remember you need to take the ORIGINAL with you but make sure you scan or photocopy it for your records as well

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to update the thread and let you know we had no probems with him traveling on the expired card with the NOA1 extension letter. The officer just asked to see the letter after he looked at the greencard and he waived us right through.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to update the thread and let you know we had no probems with him traveling on the expired card with the NOA1 extension letter. The officer just asked to see the letter after he looked at the greencard and he waived us right through.

Fabulous!