I-551 Stamp

[smkr 1]

I need help with regard to I551 stamp on my passport. Here is my situation.

I entered the US on 26th May 2013 on CR1 visa. However, I have not received my plastic green card and have been following up with USCIS. The fee of $165 has been paid and accepted. I made Infopass appointment as well to follow up. While I am waiting for this, I had to travel for a family commitment to India and before leaving the US, I got I551 stamp on my passport. The stamp has the following

" Upon Endorsement serves as temporary I551 evidencing permanent residency for one year"

Issue Date: 9/5/2014

Officer:

Employment Authorized

Valid Until: 8/8/2014

Does this mean, that this stamp is valid until 8/8/2014 and I have to travel back to the US before 8/8/2014 or is it valid till May 2015.

I need to plan to travel back based on the response.

[Ryan H 3,796]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Progress Reports to Working & Traveling During US Immigration forum.

[BBCC 16]

I need help with regard to I551 stamp on my passport. Here is my situation.

I entered the US on 26th May 2013 on CR1 visa. However, I have not received my plastic green card and have been following up with USCIS. The fee of $165 has been paid and accepted. I made Infopass appointment as well to follow up. While I am waiting for this, I had to travel for a family commitment to India and before leaving the US, I got I551 stamp on my passport. The stamp has the following

" Upon Endorsement serves as temporary I551 evidencing permanent residency for one year"

Issue Date: 9/5/2014

Officer:

Employment Authorized

Valid Until: 8/8/2014

Does this mean, that this stamp is valid until 8/8/2014 and I have to travel back to the US before 8/8/2014 or is it valid till May 2015.

I need to plan to travel back based on the response.

Are the "issue date" and "valid until" date correct as you have typed it above? The "Valid until" date is almost a month before the "issue date."

You are free to travel to India and return to the US with the I-551 stamp. If you will be gone for more than one year, get a re-entry permit using I-131 application.

Will someone be available at your US address to receive your plastic GC or will you abandon the address while you are in India? From what you write, it sounds like it will arrive first at your US address while you are in India. Will it be possible to arrange to receive the plastic card while you are India? If not, then the Infopass appointment or a call to USCIS to find out how to re-direct your card may be the next step.

[smkr 1]

Are the "issue date" and "valid until" date correct as you have typed it above? The "Valid until" date is almost a month before the "issue date."

You are free to travel to India and return to the US with the I-551 stamp. If you will be gone for more than one year, get a re-entry permit using I-131 application.

Will someone be available at your US address to receive your plastic GC or will you abandon the address while you are in India? From what you write, it sounds like it will arrive first at your US address while you are in India. Will it be possible to arrange to receive the plastic card while you are India? If not, then the Infopass appointment or a call to USCIS to find out how to re-direct your card may be the next step.

Sorry for the confusion. The dates are as follows:

Issue Date: 5/9/2014

Officer:

Employment Authorized

Valid Until: 8/8/2014

My husband lives in the US address to receive the green card (if it arrives). I traveled on 12th May 2014 to India and want to travel back to the US on 16th Aug 2014, if that is fine

[BBCC 16]

My husband lives in the US address to receive the green card (if it arrives). I traveled on 12th May 2014 to India and want to travel back to the US on 16th Aug 2014, if that is fine

The return to the US is soon after the I-551 stamp expiration. Yet when the GC arrives at your US address, there might not be enough time to get the GC forwarded to you through the post before you return.

Interesting dilemma. I am wondering what you might learn at the Infopass appointment. Let us know.

Edited July 2, 2014 by BBCC

[NikLR 13,220]

Is there a date written under the stamp that endorses the visa? The visa date is no longer valid as you've activated the visa. You have a year (minus 1 day) from the date you entered the USA for your temporary green card (the endorsed visa) to expire.

What day did you enter the USA?