millrbrit

I am from the UK, my green card is expired, but accompanied by a i-797 form. I am traveling to Mexico this week, and I didn't anticipate this to be an issue until I happened to check and I see that Mexico doesn't accept this form as an extension of my valid green card. Can I just travel as a British citizen? 

Help! I am in the midst of lifting the conditions from my green card (i-797). My passport (UK) fell into water and I may need to replace it. A couple questions:

1.) does the visa I have get returned back to me when I request a new one?

2.) Do any of the USA visas that I've received through the process of immigrating matter at this point in the process?

Thanks! I have another issue, that maybe you can provide some insight on:

We got a letter in the mail for our biometrics appointment today. The appointment is on 12/23/2019, which at less than a weeks notice is impossible for us to make as we're out of town for the holidays. We need to reschedule. Ugh. Unfortunately, the notice requires that I reschedule via mail, but I feared it won't reach the address provided in time. 

I called the number on the i-797C and the man told me that since there is a record of my calling and since they will get the letter likely within the week, even if it's after the appointment, that it won't be an issue. 

Has anyone else experienced this? I still worry that it will be considered an abandoned application! 

We got a letter in the mail for our biometrics appointment today. The appointment is on 12/23/2019, which at a weeks notice is impossible for us to make as we're out of town for the holidays. We need to reschedule. Unfortunately, it requires that I reschedule via mail, but I feared it won't reach the address provided in time. 

I called the number on the i-797C and the man told me that since there is a record of my calling and since they will get the letter likely within the week, even if it's after the event that it won't be an issue. 

Has anyone else experienced this? I still worry that it will be considered an abandoned application! 

Just now, Georgia16 said:

That’s is all he needs. And no GC holders don’t need ESTA or any visit visa. 
 

he is good to go. 

Thanks! 

I know there are a million posts about this topic, but the most popular search results on here are unfortunately not as recent as I would like. 

My husband (greencard holder) is traveling back to England for the holidays while he's waiting for his conditions to be lifted. He is taking his expired green card, his i-797C letter for extension and his passport. Is that all he needs? To my knowledge it is, but as the travel gets closer, I want to do my homework!

Does he need an ESTA to reenter because of his letter and expired greencard? 

3 minutes ago, sabellic said:

Awesome thank you. I just sent it out a few hours ago. Now the waiting game begins 😁

Just as a reference: our package arrived on a Friday, our check was cashed the following Wednesday and our 18 month extension arrived today.

8 minutes ago, sabellic said:

Awesome thank you. I just sent it out a few hours ago. Now the waiting game begins 😁

Sorry, that all started on Friday, Aug. 2

2 hours ago, sabellic said:

Hi everyone I will be sending my packet today. Is UPS reliable?? I want to do next day shipping

Yes! We sent ours UPS and got a very fast response for delivery, cashing of the check and delivery of 18 month extension.

Hi everyone! 

Our i-751 packet was delivered on Aug. 2, our check was cashed on Aug. 6 and we received our Extension letter today (Aug. 12). We sent the packet via UPS and it was received through the Lewisville, TX facility.  

7 hours ago, Alan&Rachelle said:

It changed to "New Card Being Produced" the same day but we asked the officer before leaving if the online status would change at all and he said that it doesn't always change online for awhile/if at all. He said that it's possible that we might get the paper notification of the result before it changed online. You'll probably get the paper notification any day now because we received the "Welcome to the United States" letter four days after approval.  

Perfect. I figured it'd be something like that. Thank you!

On 9/29/2017 at 5:24 PM, Alan&Rachelle said:

My husband received his green card in the mail today eight days after approval! We're done with USCIS for 1 year and 9 months. 

Did your status ever change online? I know you guys had your interview in Detroit, too. We had ours on the 27th and nothing has happened with the case status despite us being told we were approved and should revive the card soon. 

8 hours ago, Alan&Rachelle said:

Another Grand Rapids couple! Yay! We were also approved less than a week ago. The Detroit Field Office is working hard!  Congratulations on your approval!!!! I'm glad it went so well for you!  

Glad to find another GR couple ourselves! Congrats on your approval. The process was a breeze compared to everything else we've been through. 

We had our interview today in Detroit. Just wanted to share our experience.

We arrived about 25 minutes early. After we went through security and reception, we were told to sit in the waiting room where my name would be called.

The appointment was at 13:10. We were called at about 12:55. I'm assuming we were in the system as "arrived" or something since we were called early. We literally walked in, took an oath to tell the truth, verified our names, address and birthday and left. Our application had apparently already been approved. The woman explained that they used to be able to waive the interviews, which we knew, but now they are required to see everyone face to face. Even if there is no real reason. We were back on the road at 13:07.

She told us that my green card would arrive in 2 weeks and to please keep our address updated in the system for when we have to file the i-751.

Simple as that! 

On 3/31/2016 at 8:21 PM, lala64 said:

I applied for AOS, EAD and AP after we were married and have received approval on the EAD and AP per I797 but when the card came, it says not to be used to reenter, it is NOT a combination card as it should be. I am calling to find out WHY or if the AP will be sent separately.

Your letter and your card presented in combination with each other are what you use for advanced parole then. You must have those two when you renter until you get your green card. 

I compiled it exactly as the guide instructed and had no trouble at all.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

1 hour ago, Gordo2 said:

I received my EAD card yesterday but oddly enough no word on the AP yet. I wonder how that will play out.

Is there not anything at the bottom that says it's a combo card? 

11 hours ago, H-I said:

Both of my SR haven't been assigned yet, though the dates they were supposed to are today and tomorrow ( 

Mine weren't gotten around to until two days past the date they said they'd answer by. I'm guessing you're pretty close to getting them assigned. 

1 minute ago, DragonBallZee said:

All I am thinking is that its 99 days already, and they haven't even assigned my SR yet. No news after biometrics. 

 

I will try for the Tier-2 route. Thank you.

I wish you so much luck!

1 minute ago, DragonBallZee said:

Yes, I did ask for some advice on it last time I posted - our baby was expected during the labor day week in september, but the delivery got sooner then expected. 

 

While going through some comments, some say unless the delivery of the spouse has any complications or anything, you cannot base it as a valid reason for expedite request. Just want to be sure because I'm worried they might make things even slower. She's the only person working for now, and now her being on maternity leaves, we're using up our savings.

Hoping for the best!

Two things. 

1) It would not slow down your process, if anything you would just be denied the expedite and return to normal processing time.

2) If your wife is unable to work and generate income, this is a serious financial loss on your part. If she is on maternity leave and is still generating the same income, they might ask for further proof, but it doesn't hurt to call and discuss this with someone. If you need to, demand to speak to a tier 2 person. 

16 minutes ago, DragonBallZee said:

Hello All,

 

PD 05/24, SR on 8/21, baby born last week, and lots expenses here and there (because he deserves the best ) 

 

No reply on SR yet, I don't have a job offer yet so expediting the request wont be possible - is there anything I can do to get an EAD soon? Thank you.

Congratulations!

Are you the same person that was in this forum earlier that was trying to expedite?

Having a baby is cause for an approved expedite, no question!

Call customer service and get that show on the road!

43 minutes ago, MandyAlex said:

Usually how long after opening a SR it gets assigned to an agent?  Our case status reads like this:

 

As of August 23, 2017, your inquiry about the status of your Employment Authorization application, referral number SR1235XXXXXXXMSC, is currently not assigned for processing.

Mine took one day outside of the time they told me it would be responded to. It doesn't seem like there is one definitive answer for that question unfortunately. It seems to be more like when they can get to it. 

18 minutes ago, KiTu said:

It's depressing seeing allllllllll these people with cases over 100 days.. Here in Alabama I can't get a DL until I have my EAD - I have to have proof of lawful presence/a visa with no less than 160 days til expiry. Of course, the K1 only lasts 90 days..

 

So I have spent my days mostly at home, walking around the neighbourhood for exercise a couple days a week, attempting to write a blog detailing how to do all this.. And I just feel defeated. Negative. I raised a SR on day 75 (yes you can) and was told to expect a response within 15 days. They wrote the response 26 days later and I received it 6 days after that. As we all know the response just said that it is under review. I got the letter yesterday.

 

Called the NCSC and raised SR number 2 today. The woman on the phone said to expect a response within 30 days -- are they SERIOUS??? I was expecting her to say like 5 or 10 days considering it was a second SR but nooooo..

 

Checking my case status several times a day, every day and generally driving myself insane.

 

It's good to know that others can empathise but it also sucks that others are in the same boat.

 

I envy those people who get theirs approved after 60 days with no expedite.. How does that work..!?

 

If I have no update in a week I will be going to Tier 2..

Unfortunately, you're a victim of the waiting game that we're all playing. I looked at your timeline and you should be close! You're doing the right thing by being as oroactive as possible. 

Hang in there!

35 minutes ago, gsedg44 said:

Hi All, I'm sure some have experienced this but what was your outcome?

I put in a service request (my second one) 20 days ago and it was assigned to an officer for my i765 being over 105 days and it was completed today and I cannot see any reply in my email like I received on my first SR, has anyone had this happen and what was the outcome of we cannot see the reply. Also my first SR started with SR, this one starts with T1 anyone know or understand why?

Would appreciate any help.

Thanks all.

You will receive the response in your mailbox probably early next week or this weekend. Most likely your case will be under review given what day you're on. A lot of cases in here who had their cases go under review in response to their service request received their EAD notices a week or so later. 

Just hold tight. Good luck!

1 hour ago, EMBELL_17 said:

Local. I called and said "I'm having issues with my immigration application, who can help me?" And she gave me the number to the woman who deals with the immigration issues on behalf of my congressman. I called and told her what was happening. She knew the process and all the lingo so it was easy to explain. I only made my USC spouse because I thought it would be more effective letting them know my USC spouse is young, future military, and born and raised in the state we live. 

 

I say do it! The thing is I did sooooo many things, I can't point to the thing that ultimately got me approved. The only step you need to get to is being asked for more evidence to justify the expedite.  Then we will ALL tackle that together. 

This is the best advice. Doing everything you can without shame and just being diligent with follow ups and service requests is all you can do. 

My first SR (placed on day 90) was assigned and responded to with a letter in the mail a week later saying my case was under review. I put another online service request in as soon as i received it. 

A week after SR1 and four days after SR2 I got the update. 

8 minutes ago, spanwilder said:

You mean, call USCIS everyday? What do you say when you call? They always give us the standard useless answer. I am about to lose a job on September 6th - and we made an expedite request for that and received the "we only approve expedite request for real emergencies"!! I don't think these people realize the stress we go through.

 

I guess I will call again tomorrow since it will be 120 days.

 

 

You are supposed to be able to provide evidence and have an expedite request approved based on financial loss. That is very much financial loss if you can't take the job! I'd get sassy.

I didn't call every day, but as soon as I could file another SR, I did. I called to check on it and I called to check on it again. And to be honest, I got really sassy. Most people probably don't agree with that, but I don't care. It's my life...we need two incomes. 

I do wish you so much luck. I understand the hardship and stress this all causes.