Hi everyone - my i751 will not be approved Feb 2020, but I am just coming up to 90 days before my 3 years of Green-card (based on marriage) so I am starting to put my application together.

All seems pretty straight forward... apart from one missing tax return (I guess I can get a copy from the IRS?)

And the one question I am finding a little odd is to list all my trips outside the USA in the past 5 years.

I didn't move here until 2016 and in 2014/15 I was on a round the world trip.
Do I need to detail every country visited during that period? It predates my arrival into the USA.  

Many thanks and good luck to all of you!

Last thing that happened for me was... 

"As of May 1, 2019, we completed our review of your fingerprints and are working on your Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence"

VisaJourney latest approval estimate is Feb 23, 2020   

It's time to start N400... because ...  "You may file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, 90 calendar days before you complete your permanent residence requirement if your eligibility for naturalization is based upon being a: Permanent resident for at least 5 years; or. Permanent resident for at least 3 years if you are married to a US citizen."

YAY!

12 hours ago, timmons said:

Whats the rush with the N400 to neutralize? You will have 10 years to consider.

I on my part will travel home first within the next 10 years, apply for a document so i can keep my german citizenship and than apply for neutralization whenever.  So i can  be a dual citizen - absolutely no rush on it except you need it jobwise or wanting to vote.

1. short line at the airport

2. travel anywhere, anytime, for as long as I like, with no worries over greencard status

3. vote

4. wider choice of visas (for example an Indian visa is much longer and cheaper for US passport holder thank UK passport holder)

5. My British citizenship remains (even though I will pledge allegiance and say that no other crown or country will have jurisdiction over me, in truth you just have two passports and nobody cares - i think!)

After I updated my Timeline I got an email from this site that says...

Your I-751 Approval Estimate

March 27, 2020

Which should mean my Citizenship application will happen first as I think I can submit the N400 90 days before the third anniversary of my GC (thru marriage)

Unless I am mistaken?

On 4/20/2019 at 11:10 PM, justwaiting2018 said:

 

Yes, I also got my Biometrics appointment on April 30th 2019. Just a side question. On your guys' biometric appointment letter, did it say Code 5? What does it mean? Also, did you guys have anything written under the account number and Social Security Number sections? On my biometrics appointment, the account number and social security number sections were blank despite the fact that I submitted a copy of my SSN card when I filed my I-751......Just wondering what other peoples appointment letter has the same issue.

yeah - code 5 - and nothing under Account Number / SSN / TCR

Just got my Biometrics appointment on April 30th 2019   (Notice date April 12th 2019)

On 1/29/2019 at 8:46 PM, H-M said:

Did you try checking your case status on the new website?

https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/

A ha!!!!  There it is      THANK YOU!!!

On 1/1/2019 at 10:44 PM, Heather&Kevin said:

I-751 mailed Dec 6

Notified of receipt by SMS Dec 12

I-797 received Dec 31 

 

I-797 says... Received Date Dec 7 - Notice Date Dec 26

Green Card extended for 18 months

 

😎

 

January 29th 2019 and USCIS case status still says:

My Case Status does not recognize the receipt number entered. Please check your receipt number and try again. If you need further assistance, please call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283.

Should I be concerned or can this take an age to get on their system???

(California Service Center)

Cheers!

I-751 mailed Dec 6

Notified of receipt by SMS Dec 12

I-797 received Dec 31 

I-797 says... Received Date Dec 7 - Notice Date Dec 26

Green Card extended for 18 months

😎

On 12/13/2018 at 4:47 AM, gregcrs2 said:

Could be a good thing if they ever get processing back on track to a reasonable timeline.  Rule before was everyone had to get an interview.  The rule before the old rule was that not everyone had to have an interview.    

Ah!  I see.  Thanks for clarifying.

 I assume as I will be doing N400 in 9 months time that it's a moot point anyway.  As I will just have a Naturalisation interview instead?

Whoop!   

ROC Mailed Dec 6th (USPS 2 day tracked)

Never got notification of delivery - it got stuck 'in transit'

Panicked mildly until today, Dec 12th...

"Your case has been accepted and routed to the USCIS California Service Center for processing."

Estimated processing time...  15.5 - 21.5 months.

HA!

My N-400 should hurry things up 

On 12/10/2018 at 12:11 PM, gregcrs2 said:

https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-revises-interview-waiver-guidance-form-i-751

 

USCIS Revises Interview Waiver Guidance for Form I-751

USCIS has issued a policy memorandum (PDF, 115 KB) (PM) providing guidance to USCIS officers on when to consider waiving the interview requirement for Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. This PM goes into effect on December 10, 2018 and applies to all Form I-751 petitions received on or after December 10.

Generally, USCIS officers must interview a conditional permanent resident who is the principal petitioner on a Form I-751, unless the interview is waived. This guidance explains that officers may consider waiving an interview if they are satisfied that:

• They can make a decision based on the record because it contains sufficient evidence about the bona fides of the marriage and that the marriage was not entered into in order to evade U.S. immigration laws;
• For Form I-751 cases received on or after December 10, 2018, USCIS has previously interviewed the principal petitioner;
• There is no indication of fraud or misrepresentation in the Form I-751 or the supporting documentation; and
• There are no complex facts or issues that require an interview to resolve.

When determining whether to waive an interview, these considerations apply regardless of whether the Form I-751 is filed as a joint petition or as a waiver of the joint filing requirement.

This PM applies to all USCIS officers adjudicating Form I-751 and fully replaces the June 24, 2005, PM, “Revised Interview Waiver Criteria for Form I-751, Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence.”

 

 

 

Last Reviewed/Updated: 12/10/2018

Errrrrrr.... so is this a GOOD thing?    What was the rule before Dec 10th??

On 12/7/2018 at 9:50 AM, afortunada said:

Correct. You can apply for citizenship in your 90-day window; then they are sort of forced to adjudicate the I-751 once they get to processing your N-400.

Thanks!   I will mark my calendar to get my application sorted at the start of the 90 day window before 3 years of marriage based GC

18 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

I would guess it has more to do with a PO Box address.

USCIS
P.O. BOX 21200
Phoenix, AZ 85036

 

That "box" may be huge mail hampers. You chose for it to be signed for. To a street address where the doorbell rings and the missus answers and signs is one thing. But in a postal building mail hamper, there isn't likely a little USCIS person sitting inside and signing for things. So Saturday was the last scan. Eventually Monday, the guy from USCIS  mailroom picks up bags of mail. Just a scenario in my head, but I could see why a signed for delivery in this case might get stuck in the tracking system and actually be in a sack over at USCIS.

Thank you!   You actually gave me a much calmer day by saying that   :O)     And I am overjoyed to report that I just got my text message saying USCIS have it.    Which is a relief... as my GC expires today - at midnight.    :)    USPS is still showing 'in transit'.     Will be interesting to see if I ever get the USPS delivery receipt in the mail.   Thanks again!

I mailed my i751 (tracked and signed for USPS) last week - guaranteed delivery was meant to be Monday Dec 10th

Should I be worried?  It appears to have not been delivered - but the zipcode mentioned (85036) is the correct uscis zipcode.  So does this mean it is there and just in the system???   Any ideas??

USPS tracking says...

Hi everyone.  I mailed the  i751 today.     A few days before my 2 year GC expires      Didn't feel any of the urgency of the previous stages.

Am I right in thinking I can apply for Citizenship 90 days before the 3rd anniversary of the first GC?   Whether the new GC has been issued or not?

GOOD LUCK!  One and all.  

Just got a message saying my case is updated.

Looked online and the last thing that happened was they mailed my GC in December 2016.

Odd.   Or maybe it's because USCIS will conduct system maintenance on Sunday, June 3, 2018, from 5 a.m. until 6 p.m. (Eastern).

Anyone else getting random messages?

On 5/29/2018 at 4:45 AM, Russ&Caro said:

Interesting idea, to be sure. It also seems like you're doing the right research and asking the right questions. You might also look at alternative housing within the Greater San Diego area. Almost every major US urban area have community living situations where multiple families share smaller living units and larger common areas, and sometimes even shared meals, etc. Good luck.

Thanks!  Yes - want to make sure no stone is left unturned.   

On 5/29/2018 at 8:57 AM, lindo said:

interesting idea, 

 

fyi i just did the citizenship application after 5 year greencard down in miami, and from application to interview chair was only 4 months! the uscis update was telling me it would take 2 years...

 

 

 

That's great news!   Really encouraging.

On 5/29/2018 at 12:19 PM, KozmicBlues said:

Not sure about your specific question, but related to moving to San Diego - try looking at locations outside of central San Diego. La Mesa, Grossmont, El Cajon, etc. You can often find housing pricing comparable to other major cities. I live in Phoenix but my mom and dad are from SD so its my 2nd home. 

 

My mom has a nice 1-bedroom apartment in La Mesa for around $1200/month rent with ALL utilities included. It's only 20 minutes from central SD/beaches, and that price is not much more than what you can find here in PHX. If you go further out to El Cajon you can find even more affordable. Also there are some cities further out (i.e; Temecula), depending on where your wife's job offer is and how far she is willing to drive, where you can find even more affordable housing. 

I know of a few people who commute back and forth between TJ and SD, but to my knowledge they are US citizens so I have no clue about the impact to green card holders. Good luck and I hope it works out for you guys to move because San Diego is great! 

Thanks very much for the suggestions.  Really appreciated.

On 5/29/2018 at 12:49 PM, Ben & Katy said:

I do the cross border commute everyday from Nogales,Sonora to Tucson,AZ 4 times per week.  On Friday I commute from Nogales,Sonora to Nogales,AZ which is an awesome deal for me from my company.  I am the petitioner though (US Citizen) and my spouse is waiting on her visa so we can relocate to Tucson eventually.  The cross border commute from Tijuana to San Diego is a nightmare.  The lines are packed like crazy even in the Sentri lanes beginning at 5 ish AM.  A lot of San Diegans do this commute everyday.  My commute in Sentri with border wait times only lasts me 15 min.  With the wait and crossing it usually takes me from my house to the office in Tucson 1 hour and 14 min.  I highly recommend trying to work it out in San Diego because you are a green card holder and because the commute is not worth it.  Also San Diego companies discriminate against applicants that have Tijuana addresses.  If they find out afterward you live in Tijuana it doesn't look good either. 

 

We have a friend that committed visa fraud and she can never ever come across to the USA again.  Banned for life.  She is married to a USC and they live in Rosarito,BC,Mexico and he works in San Diego.  His company was nice enough to set him up with a place to live in San Diego for part of the week and then goes home usually on weekends to Rosarito to avoid the stressful border crossing everyday. 

All sounds very challenging.   Thanks for sharing.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So... we've decided to NOT pursue the TJ idea for now.  We will move to SD.   Pay the $$.  Settle in.  Spend a year or two checking out TJ.   Getting really good at Spanish.   Plus I can hopefully get my Citizenship in that time.   THEN... we can go where we choose.

We were never intending to be super-regular commuters across the border.   Just max 3 times per week, to make it doable.  And to work from home more in TJ.   Live by the beach.  Try out a new life.  So all that is going to be possible in a couple of years time.   For now, we will enjoy the wonderful SD to the full.  LOVE that city.  LOVE the ocean.   Surf and sun and burritos every day.

THANKS AGAIN for ALL the input and advice.  We really appreciate the time you all take to share your varied experience, opinions and advice.

Best wishes!

Kevin and Heather.

11 minutes ago, Ash.1101 said:

Just remember that you can get stopped at any time crossing the border.

 

It says on the website that part time work can be stable work. So stable would be if you say worked 20 hours a week at walmart for the next couple of years. I don't think they will consider job jumping, or a job that can't gaurentee work as stable work. Again, as most parts of immigration, this is subjective and the choice will be on the person going through the papers for this. This also means you'll need a stable job before you try to go for the Commuter card.

Personally, I feel there is too much risk involved, but I also don't trust much in the border patrol and customs lol. The people who do this have full time pretty secure jobs in the US.

4

I think you're right.    The work I would get would be a few hours here and there.  And changeable.  So that is not going to class as 'stable'.     My main work has always been from home.   And if that home is not in the USA then immigration are unlikely to be impressed.   They really want to see that the USA is HOME in every way.   And as I would have to prove my employment every 6 months to maintain that status, there is an ever-increasing chance of them revoking my GC. Thanks very much for your considered answers.  They're really helping me get thru this foggy situation.    Looking very much like we are SD bound.  And that's certainly not a bad thing!   It's a fantastic city.  Just got to work out how to balance the crazy SD budget.   But, as ever, we will find a way.  Thanks again!

12 minutes ago, Ash.1101 said:

The main part of the commuter process is that you have a job in the US that you commute too. That is the plan right?

But yes, you'll need your full green card for this, 99% sure since the ways to do this while already holding a green card is to request a replacement green card, you can't do that since you're in the process of ROC.

This is from the link below:

"A person already granted permanent resident status may apply for commuter status by filing a  Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, and indicating “I am a permanent  resident who is taking up commuter status.”  The form may be filed online.  The applicant will  need to be present in the United States for a biometrics appointment to process fingerprints and  photographs.

Once granted commuter status, the individual will receive a replacement green card with the  code “C2” for commuter.  Every six months, the commuter must appear at a port-of-entry to  complete a form I-178 to CBP, and provide proof of both continuous employment in the United  States, and residence in Canada or Mexico."

"Immigration officers may ask all permanent residents returning to the United States about the  length and nature of the trip abroad and about the ties and purpose for returning to the United States.  A person without sufficient ties to the United States can be deemed to have abandoned  permanent resident status, and the immigration officer can confiscate the green card.  If you have  questions about maintaining permanent resident status, contact us or a qualified U.S.  immigration attorney.

Adopting alien commuter status, or converting to full permanent resident status, also may have  U.S.- or foreign-tax implications, including estate-planning implications.  Persons considering  such actions should consult a qualified international tax and/or  estate planning attorney in our  office or elsewhere about tax and other consequences."


https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=ac6782c8-29fb-48ed-9999-5e6b0f707ebe

My wife has a job - and I would make sure I have enough work in SD to qualify as a commuter.  Not sure how much that would need to be though.

But... I think you may have found the missing piece of the puzzle for me.   Or at least I am now also 99% sure that I would need the full green card.  As permanent resident status basically needs to be replaced with a GC with C2 - and then every 6 months I don't think an expired GC and 1 year extension is gonna cut it! 

10 minutes ago, usmsbow said:

TJ is actually not that bad these days, but crossing the border sucks 20 out of 24 hours a day (give or take an hour) pretty much every day, even if you have SENTRI. And do either of you speak Spanish? 

 

As others have said, there are some relatively affordable areas in SD. There are also no particularly bad areas either, at least compared to certain parts of other cities... I last lived there 9 years ago though, so don't know if the affordable parts then are still affordable now. CA housing prices (both owning and renting) have become crazy... 

 

-Former SD resident. 

 

 

Spanish learning is in process...      House prices are crazy.  Especially compared to our current home in Vegas.    We're actually looking at Imperial Beach as another option - so we can discover TJ while spending a couple of years there - and then make a clearer decision about cross boarder living - AFTER I have my citizenship.

1 hour ago, Alabamak1 said:

If would suggest Global entry instead of Sentri since Global entry gives you the ability to enter by land and air and Sea if i am not mistaken into the US. Plus you get TSA-Precheck with GE.

Thanks for the suggestion!

3 minutes ago, mushroomspore said:

Husband is from SD and I go there with him all the time when he has to work there. We live up in LA though. SD is really not that bad and you can find decent spots in certain neighborhoods. It's nice, clean, relatively quiet (it's much cleaner than LA). There are also some suburbs just outside of SD that are slightly cheaper to live in. Don't go to TJ. I wouldn't risk anything regarding immigration stuff. You just never know, especially with the current administration.

Thanks!   We'll keep on looking.

3 minutes ago, Jameson78 said:

It's possible - even likely - that it's cleaning up now. But dealing with a border-crossing commute will really suck, in terms of time and stress. The holdups there can be surreal. 

My wife would only be working 3 days a week in San Diego - and at unsocial hours - and would get the SENTRI card - so not as horrific.

Maybe!!!

9 minutes ago, mindthegap said:

Try 14-16 months on average right now.

12 months if you are really lucky.

OK!   Thanks for the info - I hadn't researched that one much yet.   is that the average even if we are expecting NO INTERVIEW and just the regular processing?

Ah yes!   https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/   I see it's a crazy long time.  Ok!

Ha!   Thanks.   When were you last there?   I had heard it was cleaned up a LOT in the past few years and thus becoming a viable option!

Hi!   Hope you can help...

I am a British ex-pat, married to a US Citizen, living in Vegas.  

I have a Greencard thru marriage - two years are up on Dec 12th and I'm aware I can apply for Conditions To Be Removed 90 days before (mid Sep) using I-751.  And it will take maybe 4-12 months for that process. 

After that I can apply to become a citizen using N-400 and that will take maybe 6-12 months.

My wife is being offered a job in San Diego.

As housing and other costs are so high in San Diego we are wondering if we can live in Tijuana.

I thought initially that would invalidate my Green Card - but I read about 'Commuter Status' from Mexico and Canada.

1. Any idea if this status can be used BEFORE conditions are removed?  or only AFTER conditions are removed?

2. I see that I have to have a certain amount of employment in the USA (and not just work from home in Mexico) to retain my Green Card - any idea how much work would be needed to keep my status? Would teaching a few hour-long classes each week in the US be enough?

3. Anything else I should think about in terms of my Greencard - journey to citizen etc?

We are leaning towards DO NOT DO IT! - but I have to check everything before we put the idea on hold and just pay the $price of San Diego 

I assume once a citizen - and I have the US passport - that we can live anywhere on earth we choose and just come and go to the US when we like?

If that is the case then maybe just worth toughing it out until I get the passport and then we could move to Tijuana no problem?

Ok - hope that's enough clear info without going OTT.   Please be advised that everything else is perfect - marriage is super strong - we have no criminal records! etc.  We also have no need to bring people to the US etc. or any of the other things that people often need to do.                                     Many thanks for you time!!!   Kevin & Heather.