Schengen visa with extension letter (18 months)

[br9k 23]

Here is a new question for those who have had this experience (anyone?).

 

We have:

- Conditional GC with expiration in December 2017

- Original extension letter (12 months) extending it to December 2018

- Courtesy copy of the 18 month extension letter, but not the actual letter

 

For travel to Europe planned in early December, to apply for Schengen visa, the requirement (at least on German consulate's page) is to have a proof or residency (such as a green card etc) with expiration at least 3 months after the intended period of travel. So, original 12 month extension letter falls short - it's just after the return.  As there still are about 3 months until GC + extension letter expiration, it's not yet time to go ask USCIS for a stamp.

 

- Anyone attempted to apply for a Schengen (or any other) visa with a courtesy copy extension letter yet? 

- In similar circumstances, anyone successfully got an "early" I551 stamp from USCIS? 

 

Any help would be appreciated!

[NikV 44]

I would say you can take risk going to appointment with both extension letters. When I attended my Italian visa interview, the guy checked the watermark under the blue light. At least my 12 month extension was valid at the time of interview.

[br9k 23]

Not being able to travel means non-trival non-refundable ticket losses. 

 

With the valid 12 month letter (and more than 3 months remaining) there would be noting to worry about.

[br9k 23]

Made an appointment at the USCIS office. Hope they will be willing to stamp the passport 2 months early.

[afrocraft 313]

I'm in the same boat -- though I have the 18-month letter. I called up the German embassy offices in Washington, DC and Los Angeles to ask. A sweet lady in LA said expired green card + extension letter works, but the letter must be the original. The guy in DC was less sure at first, but eventually confirmed from his someone in the office the same.

 

My visa appointment is next week, so fingers crossed!

[br9k 23]

With the original 18 month letter we would not have an issue either. Applying with a Swiss consulate Monday. We'll see.