Renewal of expiring green card, plus proof of the renewal process upon re-entry to the U.S.

[peteFang 0]

My wife's permanent residence card (green card) is going to expire in 6 months. After consulting the USCIS website I understand we need to use the Form I-90 for the renewal process. But we also realize the process is backed up pretty bad and there is virtually no way she can get her new green card before the old card expire. Upon further research I think she can get a stamp (I-551) on her passport proving her legal residence status. The question now is does she need to apply for the I-551 separately soon after submitting the I-90 application? Or is it something we can request for while getting to her biometrics appointment?

 

The reason why she would need some kind of evidence to show that her green card renewal is underway is because she may need to go out of the country before the new green card is issued (again because of the back up in the renewal process). Would any correspondence from USCIS be able to be served as a piece of evidence upon re-entry to the U.S. e.g. letter of I-90 application status from USICS so that she can use it to prove to the immigration officer at the airport that her new green card is underway. 

 

TIA

peteFang

Edited December 27, 2020 by peteFang
more clarification

[PaulaCJohnny 713]

56 minutes ago, peteFang said:

My wife's permanent residence card (green card) is going to expire in 6 months. After consulting the USCIS website I understand we need to use the Form I-90 for the renewal process. But we also realize the process is backed up pretty bad and there is virtually no way she can get her new green card before the old card expire. Upon further research I think she can get a stamp (I-551) on her passport proving her legal residence status. The question now is does she need to apply for the I-551 separately soon after submitting the I-90 application? Or is it something we can request for while getting to her biometrics appointment?

 

The reason why she would need some kind of evidence to show that her green card renewal is underway is because she may need to go out of the country before the new green card is issued (again because of the back up in the renewal process). Would any correspondence from USCIS be able to be served as a piece of evidence upon re-entry to the U.S. e.g. letter of I-90 application status from USICS so that she can use it to prove to the immigration officer at the airport that her new green card is underway. 

 

TIA

peteFang

I-90 is not for renew her expired green card. The I-90 is used if she lost her green card for example. Will come if the same expiration date

She neednto apply for the I-751 if she needs to remove conditions. 

Please look for ROC to understand more about the process 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-751

Edited December 27, 2020 by Paula&Johnny

[HRQX 4,145]

7 minutes ago, Paula&Johnny said:

I-90 is not for renew her expired green card.

Actually it is for renewal assuming OP's wife already has 10-year GC: https://www.uscis.gov/i-90 "My card will expire within six months or has already expired."

1 hour ago, peteFang said:

My wife's permanent residence card (green card)

Can you verify which type: 10-year or 2-year GC?

[Ayrton 965]

2 hours ago, Paula&Johnny said:

I-90 is not for renew her expired green card. The I-90 is used if she lost her green card for example. Will come if the same expiration date

She neednto apply for the I-751 if she needs to remove conditions. 

Please look for ROC to understand more about the process 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-751

That depends if it's a conditional green card or not.

 

For OP, if she has a 10 years GC, file for I-90. You can file online and keep your card until they request it (which is usually at the end of the process). If your trip is before the expiration, just use the old card. If the trip is after the expiration and you didn't receive the new, get an infopass appointment to get a stamp.

 

Remember that the issue would not be entering the country. They can always send you to the back room and check your case and let you in. The issue will be the airline letting you travel without proof that you can go to the US.

Edited December 27, 2020 by Ayrton

[peteFang 0]

To clarify, her green card is the 10-year GC. She has already adjusted her status long ago. This is simply for the renewal/extension of her existing 10-year GC.

 

:.........get an infopass appointment to get a stamp."

Her GC is going to expire at the end of May 2021 and she plans to go back home for a visit in summer (June-Aug), providing the pandemic situation is sort of under control.

What exactly is called "Infopass"?? The same as I-551 stamp or something else? And when and where should she apply for it?

 

TIA,

peteFang

 

 

 

[Ayrton 965]

43 minutes ago, peteFang said:

To clarify, her green card is the 10-year GC. She has already adjusted her status long ago. This is simply for the renewal/extension of her existing 10-year GC.

 

:.........get an infopass appointment to get a stamp."

Her GC is going to expire at the end of May 2021 and she plans to go back home for a visit in summer (June-Aug), providing the pandemic situation is sort of under control.

What exactly is called "Infopass"?? The same as I-551 stamp or something else? And when and where should she apply for it?

 

TIA,

peteFang

 

 

 

Infopass appointment is how they call an in person appointment you schedule to get something done at the local office, like getting a stamp, for example.

 

She will call USCIS within 30 to 10 days before the expiration of the card to make an appointment in the local office. If you have to send the card to them before that, then schedule the appointment just before sending the card.

Edited December 27, 2020 by Ayrton

[peteFang 0]

So she need to actually call a phone number at the local USCIS and ask for an "Infopass" appointment? Can we schedule this online? To clarify is this "Infopass" different from the I-551 stamp?

 

TIA,

peteFang

 

[peteFang 0]

A related question, when do you need to surrender your expiring green card? During or after the biometrics appointment?

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

3 hours ago, peteFang said:

So she need to actually call a phone number at the local USCIS and ask for an "Infopass" appointment? Can we schedule this online? To clarify is this "Infopass" different from the I-551 stamp?

 

TIA,

peteFang

 

Infopass is the name of the appointment system. She needs an appointment to get the stamp in her passport. They are no longer offered online because people used to game the online appointments, so now you have to call USCIS and a human being does the appointments and verifies if you really need one/that you have not booked multiple slots.

[peteFang 0]

I see. So when she call for the Infopass hotline what does she have to tell the operator at USCIS i.e. what kind of stamp does she need to request an appointment for - I-551? 

 

For a related question, when do we usually expect to surrender the expiring green card? During or after the biometrics appointment?

[Ayrton 965]

1 hour ago, peteFang said:

I see. So when she call for the Infopass hotline what does she have to tell the operator at USCIS i.e. what kind of stamp does she need to request an appointment for - I-551? 

 

For a related question, when do we usually expect to surrender the expiring green card? During or after the biometrics appointment?

She's gonna call USCIS regular phone number. It might take some time and tries to get someone to answer the call since it's a robot. She's gonna request an infopass appointment because she needs stamp on her passport. They will tell her that a tier 2 officer will call her later to schedule it. 

 

If she files a paper I-90 she has to send the card with the form. If she files online, they will send an RFE.

[peteFang 0]

Will the RFE from USCIS come before or after the Biometrics appointment?

[Ayrton 965]

19 hours ago, peteFang said:

Will the RFE from USCIS come before or after the Biometrics appointment?

Most likely after since it's the final step before issuing the new card.

[peteFang 0]

Thanks.

[vistana83 0]

I am in the process also to renew my green card after 10 years. I filled    December 1/2020 online. Today I got a letter online from them saying you can request an extension sticker that can be proof for traveling and employment purposes.