how long does it take to get the extension letter?

[CBM 14]

Hi All -

I can't believe it's been 2 years already. I'm just finishing up my I-751 application to remove conditions. All is great with our marriage, and we are so happy we went the K-1 route.

Quick question - is the first receipt, or "NOA1", I guess, what extends your greencard for a year? Or does this come after you've been fingerprinted?

I'm just wondering for travelling purposes. We were hoping to travel internationally the same week my GC expires, and would like to make our plans before too long, but obviously if I don't have the extension letter, I won't book any travel.

It expires August 25th, and we're planning on fed ex'ing our application on Monday. Do you think think that's enough time?

Thanks in advance!

[Navyk 78]

Hi All -

I can't believe it's been 2 years already. I'm just finishing up my I-751 application to remove conditions. All is great with our marriage, and we are so happy we went the K-1 route.

Quick question - is the first receipt, or "NOA1", I guess, what extends your greencard for a year? Or does this come after you've been fingerprinted?

I'm just wondering for travelling purposes. We were hoping to travel internationally the same week my GC expires, and would like to make our plans before too long, but obviously if I don't have the extension letter, I won't book any travel.

It expires August 25th, and we're planning on fed ex'ing our application on Monday. Do you think think that's enough time?

Thanks in advance!

It is sent as soon as the application is received by them. One generally gets it between 7 - 30 days. Biometric letter comes a little later and it depends on the business of your local center.

You can apply 90 days before expiry date 8/25/13 - that is on or after 5/26, so Monday is good. The GC gets extended by the NOA1 letter - take both GC and this NOA1 when travelling abroad. A few countries have issues with this but most don't.

[Dave&Roza 748]

NOA1 when travelling abroad. A few countries have issues with this but most don't.

Actually it is the airlines that have issues with it. As long as you satisfy the entry requirements of the country you are travelinig to and leave when you are suppose to the country does not care. It is the airline that you have your return trip with that cares as they do not want to have to haul you back to teh point of origin at their expense should you not be admitted to the US. So the make it a point that all people traveling to the US have a US passport, visa, VWP, or GC in order to be admitted to the US. They do not see the expired GC and extension letter very often. I checked with KLM and they will accept the expired GC with the ORIGINAL I-797 that extends the GC for a year. You might want to check with your airlines if they are aware of the extension letter.

Good luck,

Dave

[carocaro 22]

Go onto the Forums and look up the details for dates/timelines for removing conditions in your month. We did everything exactly on time and were warned we would need that extension letter as our green cards expired in December 2012.

We have counted heavily on that letter for travel and even at customs in Toronto they passed it around contemplating what exactly it all meant like they'd never seen one before. I wouldn't have it prevent you from travelling BUT perhaps like others have said contemplate which countries you visit and add a lot of time on to the return entry into the USA.

Edited June 8, 2013 by carocaro

[bigdog 376]

The extention letter came quickly and my wife has had no issues using it, here is the USCIS Calculatior Filing Date Calculator