Filed for I-751, Went to Biometrics Appt. Have not Received New Green Card

[Minu Luvs Pinu 2]

Hello VJ-ers,

I'm not sure if I have posted in the correct sub-forum, my apologies in advance.

I need to ask any of you with experience in this. My husband and I have filed the I-751 petition, and I have already went to the biometrics appointment back on October 10th. I had my picture taken and finger printed. The Biometric Rep. who had processed me, advised that I would be getting my new Green card in the mail. I do not recall how soon I would be getting the card, but I don't recall having to wait this long for the first one. I've now waited over a month to receive my new green card, and my current green card had expired back in October 23rd.

I don't think I can even leave the country to visit my family in Canada for the holidays since my green card is no longer valid. Has any one had this happen to them? Should I keep waiting or should I just contact their customer service? I've tried looking up my receipt number on the case status thing, and it says it that doesn't exist. I'm worried that my petition was canceled and that I would have start this all over again.

Please, someone, help me out during this very confusing time.

Thank you.

Edited November 30, 2014 by Minu Luvs Pinu

[Saylin 1,605]

Hello VJ-ers,

I'm not sure if I have posted in the correct sub-forum, my apologies in advance.

I need to ask any of you with experience in this. My husband and I have filed the I-751 petition, and I have already went to the biometrics appointment back on October 10th. I had my picture taken and finger printed. The Biometric Rep. who had processed me, advised that I would be getting my new Green card in the mail. I do not recall how soon I would be getting the card, but I don't recall having to wait this long for the first one. I've now waited over a month to receive my new green card, and my current green card had expired back in October 23rd.

I don't think I can even leave the country to visit my family in Canada for the holidays since my green card is no longer valid. Has any one had this happen to them? Should I keep waiting or should I just contact their customer service? I've tried looking up my receipt number on the case status thing, and it says it that doesn't exist. I'm worried that my petition was canceled and that I would have start this all over again.

Please, someone, help me out during this very confusing time.

Thank you.

Biometrics is just part of the ROC process. USCIS still needs to review your I-751 application and supporting documentation. If anything is missing or they want more information, they'll issue a RFE. And if you're randomly selected or there's red flags, you can be issued an interview (this is not very common, but can still happen). I don't know current wait times for the ROC process, but if you just had your biometrics done last month, I'm pretty sure you're still within very normal time frames. It took 3 months from my biometrics appointment to get my green card in my hands, and that was last year when I believe wait times were less than they are now.

As for visiting Canada, you absolutely still can! You'll need your passport, your expired green card, and the ORIGINAL extension letter you got in the mail from USCIS after you sent your ROC package. I visited Canada while my green card was expired and had no problems. It took a little longer with the CBP officer, but I believe they were checking everything out in their system that I did indeed file and thus still legal.

[NikLR 13,220]

~~moved to ROC forum from Canada forum as topic is about ROC and not Canadian specific~~

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

Ditto saylin, that's why they gave you 1year extention letter, it will do the job as your expired GC.

[Minu Luvs Pinu 2]

Thank you guys, very helpful, relieves this stress I had.

[Lainie B 465]

The current wait time for Vermont ROC filers is about 7-8 months, so you are well within that time.

To check your status online you need to use the receipt number on your biometrics appointment letter, not your NOA1.

As others have said, your NOA1 extends your current green card for 1 year, you can use the green card plus the NOA1 to travel.

[NotMoreForms 68]

Having just returned from a trip with an expired green card + NOA1 letter, I would recommend you allow more check in time for any airline flights. In my case the check in person was NOT going to accept the letter, but after I explained how it works, they then called their supervisor who did accept the letter and allow travel. At the US end the immigration officer did not even look at the letter, I think their computer gives them the latest status.