I751 approved, waiting for card to arrive, travel

[Mrsvc 0]

Well, the title says it all. I am traveling out of the country for the holidays. I was planning on traveling with extension letter and expired green card. I thankfully got an I751 application approved a few days ago. However, I believe that the card will not get here before I leave. Am I still able to travel with extension letter and expired green card while approved (and waiting for new card to arrive)?

[firebird00 66]

Hi, did you filed joint or with waiver, and were you asked to go for an interview? Good luck.

[Mrsvc 0]

Filed joint, no waiver, no interview.

[NickD 202]

Initially accepted is more like it, maybe because your payment was good, have no idea what they do with our applications, maybe stick them in a freezer someplace, really not approved until you receive your ten year card. Some receive an RFE just about when that one year extension notice is about to expire, we received a letter to update our evidence, because a full year went buy, mostly bank accounts and of course, tax returns.

We still had to get an I-551 stamp in a current valid foreign passport to stay legal, wife was initially for her US citizenship, not really approved until you get your invitation for the oath ceremony. Just about a week before her oath ceremony is when she finally received her ten year card only to give it back. Others we met at the ceremony never received their ten year card, but didn't need it anymore.

You are expected to carry that letter with you, I just made a copy of it for around here, if that gets lost or damaged, same as losing your green card and not exactly convenient, but for trips, had to take the original with us to get back in, that was in a very well protected envelop. Losing it is just like losing your green card, cost a small fortune and takes about six months to receive a new one. And during this time, you are dead, but then can get an I-551 stamp, but have to carry your passport with you.

Wasn't a very good time for anyone of us.