I-551 Passport Expiry Question

[swji89 41]

Hi all,

 

Quick question - my UK passport expires at some point in 2020 (I don't have it in front of me right now, but I believe it to be the latter half of the year, but could be wrong).

 

As I submitted my I-751 in January, I'm not expecting to get my 10 year Green Card until mid 2019, with my extension letter having expired by then.

 

While I know the process is to go get a I-551 stamp in my passport (30 days before expiry is it?) to maintain my eligibility for another year while the I-751 continues to be processed, I was wondering whether I should go ahead and renew my British passport now so it is valid for long past 2020 by the time I get to that point.

 

Issue is I have to send my passport back to the UK to get it renewed which worries me slightly - letting it out of my hands is concerning at any point!

 

Thoughts and advice?

[Wuozopo 4,290]

They will issue your passport to expire 10 years from the current one if you apply up to 9 months early. Not sure what happens if you apply 2 years early for a renewal.  You might only get until 2028 on the new one. 

 

Most people say they have no trouble getting the passport taken care of without incident. This might be a good time to renew since you won't need your passport for immigration purposes in the near future. They say it takes four weeks but people on here have reported it was quicker.  It's mostly online now including uploading a photo.  I plan to renew mine in the next week or so. 

Edited June 4, 2018 by Wuozopo

[JohnInTX 9]

My conditional and 797c expired in December last year. Made an Infopass appointment and received a paper I-551 valid for another year.

As long as you don't travel by plane there is no need for a passport. And you could always travel to the UK Embassy or Consulate here in the US to renew.

Have been travelling to Mexico by car with just my paper I-551 and expired I-551.

[StuBear65 68]

You can't renew UK passports at the UK embassy or consulate in the US,  all passports have to be sent off to the passport office in the UK once the online application has been completed.

[GorDog62 8]

On 6/4/2018 at 4:53 PM, JohnInTX said:

My conditional and 797c expired in December last year. Made an Infopass appointment and received a paper I-551 valid for another year.

As long as you don't travel by plane there is no need for a passport. And you could always travel to the UK Embassy or Consulate here in the US to renew.

Have been travelling to Mexico by car with just my paper I-551 and expired I-551.

True. WE are traveling back and forth from San Diego and Tijuana  with Paper ones.  I am pretty sure you need a valid passport to get the new green card.   We are having to do so also for Sentri. But cannot renew SENTRI because they will not accept the I-551

Best to get the extension now before you need it.  

 

So riddle me this batman..  Why can I cross with mu current Sentri card and a Paper I-551   but cannot renew..  some rules are just plain stupid. 

Wifes birthday is Aug 1st so lets hope we get our 10 year Green Card in time. All we need is valid green card to apply for SENTRI Renewal to keep using.. otherwise ..it is back on the looooong lines for wife and son. Daughter and I good until Nov :-)

 

[swji89 41]

On 6/4/2018 at 6:20 PM, Wuozopo said:

They will issue your passport to expire 10 years from the current one if you apply up to 9 months early. Not sure what happens if you apply 2 years early for a renewal.  You might only get until 2028 on the new one. 

 

Most people say they have no trouble getting the passport taken care of without incident. This might be a good time to renew since you won't need your passport for immigration purposes in the near future. They say it takes four weeks but people on here have reported it was quicker.  It's mostly online now including uploading a photo.  I plan to renew mine in the next week or so. 

Now the USCIS is issuing new extension letters for pending I-751s (extending our stay to 18 months past Green Card expiry instead of 12), I've got more breathing space now... hopefully I'll avoid needing to get the I-551 stamp in the first place.