Please help!!

[JoshandSarah 57]

I just got to Greece on holiday and realized I bought my 48month extension letter (i797) but not the expired green card. How necessary is the expired card? 
 

thank you!! 

Edited Sunday at 08:32 AM by JoshandSarah

[Crazy Cat 44,810]

100% necessary.  The extension letter is not valid without the expired Green card.  You aren't authorized to travel back to the US without it.   You might need to contact a US Consulate for a boarding foil.

Another option is to get to Canada and do a land crossing.

Another option:  Have someone express the Green Card to you.

If you can get to the US border, you can get in, although you will be vetted in secondary.

 

 

Edited Sunday at 11:01 AM by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 44,810]

This is a link to US consulate services in Greece:

 

https://gr.usembassy.gov/uscis-services/?_ga=2.5843191.53061689.1754829549-383692143.1754829549

[OldUser 10,167]

Yes, green card is necessary. Airline won't allow you to board the plane without it.

[Fr8dog 438]

You need to clear the hurdle of the "check-in agent" they need the letter and the card to get an OK in the system to let you board. There are ways for them to get an authorization from the US without these docs, but you are most likely looking at lengthy delays and missed flights if you go that route. And potentially just a flat refusal to be boarded (they are not required to take you)

Even if you get on the flight without the card, you will most likely face extended time in "secondary" leading to more delays and potential missed flights. And hoping for a sympathetic agent that is willing to help you out.

 

If there is a way to get the card to you before departure that would be the easiest way to go. If it is not an option, it's time to contact the embassy/consulate and have it resolved ASAP. Appointments might be limited so I would not wait till the last minute to have this resolved.

 

Personally I think I would go for the two prong attack and start getting the card as well as contacting the consulate.

[JaredShadkin 77]

Easiest option is to have someone Express Next-Day the item to you in Greece. 

If you are in Athens or large islands like Crete, any of the large carries like FedEx or DHL work, and it's no big deal. 

 

For smaller islands, you may have more difficulty receiving the item/experience a slight delay, as FedEx/DHL/UPS partners with local carriers for small island deliveries.

 

 

 

[JD2 144]

My spouse forgot her GC when we went to Cancun, Mexico.  Since we both had Global entry, we made it back fine.  CBP never even asked.  We did online check-in and we had already scanned documents in our airline app.  You might be able to use images to do online check-in if you have digital copies.  I checked all our bags so my spouse wouldn't have to interact with the counter agent.  The counter airline rep will be more a problem than CBP.  You can do a boarding foil but appointments will depend on when they have availability.  Also, in Mexico, you have to pay before they will schedule you.  I imagine Greece is similar.  Good luck.

[OldUser 10,167]

3 minutes ago, JD2 said:

My spouse forgot her GC when we went to Cancun, Mexico.  Since we both had Global entry, we made it back fine.  CBP never even asked.  We did online check-in and we had already scanned documents in our airline app.  You might be able to use images to do online check-in if you have digital copies.  I checked all our bags so my spouse wouldn't have to interact with the counter agent.  The counter airline rep will be more a problem than CBP.  You can do a boarding foil but appointments will depend on when they have availability.  Also, in Mexico, you have to pay before they will schedule you.  I imagine Greece is similar.  Good luck.

How did you check in online with extension letter? I had trips as conditional LPR few years back. Completing online check in with United was impossible unless you had valid GC. At that point, GC was expired, and online check in didn't recognize extension letter.

 

I had to see agent.

 

Agree, CBP isn't much of a problem, especially with GE.

Edited Sunday at 10:29 PM by OldUser

[Crazy Cat 44,810]

5 minutes ago, JD2 said:

My spouse forgot her GC when we went to Cancun, Mexico.  Since we both had Global entry, we made it back fine.  CBP never even asked.  We did online check-in and we had already scanned documents in our airline app.  You might be able to use images to do online check-in if you have digital copies.  I checked all our bags so my spouse wouldn't have to interact with the counter agent.  The counter airline rep will be more a problem than CBP.  You can do a boarding foil but appointments will depend on when they have availability.  Also, in Mexico, you have to pay before they will schedule you.  I imagine Greece is similar.  Good luck.

I think the airline agent failed to do their job.  You got lucky.  Airline agents are supposed to verify the physical Green card.  I agree that CBP won't be a problem.  Getting to the border will be the obstacle. 

[JD2 144]

10 minutes ago, OldUser said:

How did you check in online with extension letter? I had trips as conditional LPR few years back. Completing online check in with United was impossible unless you had valid GC. At that point, GC was expired, and online check in didn't recognize extension letter.

 

I had to see agent.

 

Agree, CBP isn't much of a problem, especially with GE.

I'm sorry I should have been clearer.  This was before GC expiry.  I imagined airline apps would let you upload the letters too but maybe not.  Then getting the GC overnighted, or boarding foil or Canada or Mexico land crossing would be the OPs best bet.

Edited Sunday at 10:39 PM by JD2

[JD2 144]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

I think the airline agent failed to do their job

The Consulate in Mexico told me the following (see #2) so they have the ability to board without documents if they wanted to but maybe we got away with something:

 

If you are an LPR who has been outside of the United States for fewer than 365 days, below are three options for returning to the United States:

 

1. Apply for admission directly with Customs and Border Protection at a land port of entry.  More information is available about land ports of entry at http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports

 

2. Ask your airline to call the Regional Carrier Liaison Group in Miami and seek permission to board without an entry document.  The airline retains ultimate authority to board or deny boarding. This is a service provided by the airline to the passenger.  The U.S. Embassy is not involved in the process.  More information is available at http://www.cbp.gov/travel/travel-industry-personnel/carrier-liaison-prog

 

3. Apply for a boarding foil (one-time entry) with the U.S. Embassy.

[OldUser 10,167]

5 minutes ago, JD2 said:

I'm sorry I should have been clearer.  This was before GC expiry.  I imagined airline apps would let you upload the letters too but maybe not.  Then boarding foil or Canada or Mexico land crossing would be the OPs best bet.

Not in my experience. Airline agents needed to see both expired GC and extension letter. This is the situation OP is in, travel on unexpired GC is different.

[OldUser 10,167]

2 minutes ago, JD2 said:

The Consulate in Mexico told me the following (see #2) so they have the ability to board without documents if they wanted to but maybe we got away with something:

 

 

If you are an LPR who has been outside of the United States for fewer than 365 days, below are three options for returning to the United States:

 

1. Apply for admission directly with Customs and Border Protection at a land port of entry.  More information is available about land ports of entry at http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports

 

2. Ask your airline to call the Regional Carrier Liaison Group in Miami and seek permission to board without an entry document.  The airline retains ultimate authority to board or deny boarding. This is a service provided by the airline to the passenger.  The U.S. Embassy is not involved in the process.  More information is available at http://www.cbp.gov/travel/travel-industry-personnel/carrier-liaison-prog

 

3. Apply for a boarding foil (one-time entry) with the U.S. Embassy.

Crossing from Mexico has few options not available when travelling from Europe. It may be possible to fly to Mexico / Canada and cross by land. But the best course of action is to get the GC.

Edited Sunday at 10:41 PM by OldUser

[Crazy Cat 44,810]

2 minutes ago, JD2 said:

The Consulate in Mexico told me the following (see #2) so they have the ability to board without documents if they wanted to but maybe we got away with something:

 

 

If you are an LPR who has been outside of the United States for fewer than 365 days, below are three options for returning to the United States:

 

1. Apply for admission directly with Customs and Border Protection at a land port of entry.  More information is available about land ports of entry at http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports

 

2. Ask your airline to call the Regional Carrier Liaison Group in Miami and seek permission to board without an entry document.  The airline retains ultimate authority to board or deny boarding. This is a service provided by the airline to the passenger.  The U.S. Embassy is not involved in the process.  More information is available at http://www.cbp.gov/travel/travel-industry-personnel/carrier-liaison-prog

 

3. Apply for a boarding foil (one-time entry) with the U.S. Embassy.

Good info.  The OP is in Greece.  I think getting to the US border is the big issue.  

[Crazy Cat 44,810]

2 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Not in my experience. Airline agents needed to see both expired GC and extension letter. This is the situation OP is in, travel on unexpired GC is different.

Wife always had to show physical card and original extension letter when checking in.