I551 Stamp

[BillyG 26]

Ok, there was an issue with my EAD card not having AP on it even though it was approved. Today I went to USCIS on an info pass to fix a typo on I485 and just asked the IO about my AP.

He asked to see my passport and took it away for a minute. He came back and told me I don't need EAD or AP anymore ad he put a I551 Stamp valid for 1 year into my passport. I am adjusting from a K1 visa and the IO said I have permanent residence while my AOS is pending.

My question is, can I now travel freely out of the states even though the I551 is there my visa was a K1 and is no longer valid. So can I travel on just the I551 in my passport.

Edited May 10, 2016 by BillyG

[Caryh 5,206]

Technically yes you can. The problem you may run into is people knowing what the stamp is and your rights with it. In other words you're trying to board the plane and the airline doesn't believe the stamp gives your the right to return to the USA. You should be able to call up USCIS help line, get transferred to a tier 2 agent and get them to issue a corrected card.

[BillyG 26]

I don't have the EAD card anymore as IO said it is no longer required.

Edited May 10, 2016 by BillyG

[Kastrs 723]

The I551 stamp acts as a temporary GC for 1 year-so yes technically you no longer need your EAD

[Caryh 5,206]

Its not legally required with the stamp. The issue is many don't understand what the stamp means. I would still call the help line and try to get a corrected card resent, unless your green card is already on the way. Which may be the case as you returned the RFE at the end of February. He may have guessed your green card will be issued faster then a new combo card could get issued.

[BillyG 26]

That was my thinking too. Fingers crossed. I don't have plans to travel till later in the year anyway, but just in case.

Its not legally required with the stamp. The issue is many don't understand what the stamp means. I would still call the help line and try to get a corrected card resent, unless your green card is already on the way. Which may be the case as you returned the RFE at the end of February. He may have guessed your green card will be issued faster then a new combo card could get issued.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Um, as far as I understand it, you have NOT yet been approved for AOS. The officer acted in error and basically "approved" you for perm residence before you are actually approved.

You have the stamp, which is proof of LPR status. But you don't actually have LPR status since your AOS has not been approved. Not sure what would happen if an employer did e-verify. Might get denied.

You don't have PR status while AOS is pending.

I would go back and get that officer in trouble. He or she "gave" PR status to someone that doesn't actually have it, and also stole your card...

[Caryh 5,206]

Um, as far as I understand it, you have NOT yet been approved for AOS. The officer acted in error and basically "approved" you for perm residence before you are actually approved.

You have the stamp, which is proof of LPR status. But you don't actually have LPR status since your AOS has not been approved. Not sure what would happen if an employer did e-verify. Might get denied.

You don't have PR status while AOS is pending.

I would go back and get that officer in trouble. He or she "gave" PR status to someone that doesn't actually have it, and also stole your card...

It is extremely strange to hear of an officer giving the stamp to someone who should not have it. Yes he should be in for additional training, this is a short cut, that really should have been taken. Unless he was privy to knowledge that the AOS has been approved, but notification has not been sent out as of yet. You would think the op will get notification very soon if that was the case.

[aaron2020 11,651]

He came back and told me I don't need EAD or AP anymore ad he put a I551 Stamp valid for 1 year into my passport. I am adjusting from a K1 visa and the IO said I have permanent residence while my AOS is pending.

This makes no sense. When you apply for AOS, you are asking to adjust your status to be a legal permanent residence. Your are not yet a permanent resident if AOS is pending. An I-551 means you have permanent residency; not pending permanent residency.

The officer made a huge mistake. You should not leave the US. You need to go back and talk to a supervisor.

[BillyG 26]

Definitely something not right. Will drop back next week if I hear nothing about AOS approval. I have no plans to leave the US till at least December and by then AOS should be done. I just tgought it a bit strange too

[BillyG 26]

Just a quick update on this, our AOS approval came through last night. So I knew about it as was dated 5/6

[Caryh 5,206]

Just a quick update on this, our AOS approval came through last night. So I knew about it as was dated 5/6

So he was aware you had been approved already. Which completely explains the stamp and the taking of your card. You would have thought he'd been polite enough to say your approval is already in, you just haven't received notification yet.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Ah, all is well. Congrats.