question on ROC

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

Hey People:

So I have asked this earlier somewhere, but after hours of trying to find it to see what people have answered, I've given up and sorry about that, but asking again. So, here it is. So, I am nowhere yet to send ROC but I was wondering of two things:

1. if one does not wish to travel anywhere during the ROC waiting period after sending the ROC package in, do they still need the stamp in their passport?

2. I have read many issues about moving once someone submits the ROC package, that USCIS somehow, even if address change is filled out, can mail stuff to the applicant's OLD address. What I was wondering, if one moves way BEFORE they are about to send the ROC package in, and fills out a "change of address" form and sends it to USCIS, will they get the GC renewal notification and later stuff (RFE, 10 year GC) to their new address then?

3. How come getting the EAD, and conditional green card is quiet fast, why then the 10-year permanent green card seems to take forever? I see her people who have been waiting for their 10-year GC approval for a over a year? In contrast, EAD comes in a month after mailing the whole package in, and green card comes in another 2 months later from that....why is the 10-year green card approval takes so long? I would think that should be quicker since the applicant is already in the system and has already been approved previously compared to when they are some sort of unknown person in some sort of unknown country? (no offense here...)

Thanks and sorry for repeating my question, but I cannot find the thread I put this in earlier....Happy New Year to everyone, oldies, and newbies!

[TBoneTX 45,498]

1. Not sure what the exact question is meant to be, but as long as your conditional green card is still valid, you can use it to travel (or not use it, if you're not traveling).

2. We moved before filing for ROC. We sent in the AR-11 and had no trouble with receiving USCIS mail at the new address.

3. The USCIS service centers have been overwhelmed with the I-812 applications (work permits for children of illegal immigrants). The situation seems to be improving as of late.

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

Thanks TBone. What I meant with my first question is that I heard many people getting some sort of stamp in their passport, and they desperate about it since when they are in the waiting period of their ROC application that is the way they can travel (I assume it is ONLY for travel purposes, but I'm not sure hence I ask on this). Now, I don't know if this is also their "proof" of permanent residency to show elsewhere or what. So I was wondering if this stamp is solely for travel purposes, or not hence I was wondering if I don't intend to travel while my ROC application is pending, then do I really need that stamp in my passport...in other words, is that stamp is also a proof to show you're a permanent resident while your ROC is pending and your green card has expired (or about too) and you filed the I-751. Thanks for the rest of the answers, they help a lot! Thank you! Take care!

[caly 48]

After filing for ROC, you'll receive an extension letter that states that your permanent residency has been extended for the year. You can use this extension letter and your expired green card to travel.

The stamp in question is a temporary I-1551 stamp like the one you get when you enter the US on the spousal visa that proves your legal status before your green card arrives in the mail.

The people talking about the stamp in the passport are worried of issues in the the foreign country pertaining to the acceptance of this extension letter as an official letter enabling the LPR to board a plane to return to the US. Most people would only worry about getting the stamp if their extension letter is about to expire and their ROC case is still pending.

Edited January 4, 2013 by caly

[hmh33 117]

re #3, I-751 applications are a low priority for USCIS because nothing about your status really changes while you're waiting. You're still an LPR, you can still work and travel, you can even file for naturalization if the I-751 takes long enough.

[bigdog 376]

Yep not much in information unless you get a RFE, an appointment or approval as I see it. Basically wait 6 months plus.

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

hey caly, hmh and bigdog: You guys are great! Thanks for your replies! Now I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo smart! No, but really you guys helped a lot! Thank you so much! Now, of course, I'm still thankful for TBone. You guys are the BEST! Good luck to all of you!!!