Divya MV

Got the extension today!

we filed my husband’s paperwork on 1/26/19. They received it on the 1/29/19, and the notice date is 1/31/19. Glad this part is over but we will still be trying to get info pass i-551 stamp on his passport before we travel in April. Good luck to all those still waiting to hear back, I hope it works out for everyone!!

9 hours ago, jmbiz18 said:

Filed ROC on 1/22/19, uscis received it on the next day 1/23/19. Just got the 18th month extension letter in the mailbox today. 

Which service center did you get it from?

7 hours ago, H-M said:

I agree. I would like the OP to clarify further her friend's experience at Dubai airport.

 

I fly connecting via Dubai airport frequently. My current 2 yr GC has worked with no issues so far. The travel documents have always been checked both at the departing airport and again at the connecting airport (Dubai).

 

However, if the OP's friend was denied boarding even though she had the expired GC + NOA (I am speculating here), then it is clearly a case of misinformed airline employee. More information from the OP would be helpful. I might avoid connecting via Dubai or this particularly airline next time I fly with the NOA + expired GC.

 

Getting an I-551 stamp is also an option. However, I have read a few experiences on this forum where they got flagged for secondary screening by CBP at the POE.

Again I can only tell her experience but she showed both her expired GC and the letter and they refused to let her board. They told her her GC is expired and that the letter wasn’t enough proof. I agree that it was probably a misinformed employee but unfortunately that was all it took to cause a hassle and a setback. Personally, I’m not going to travel with the stamp but if the rules say you don’t necessarily need it, then it’s up to you, I’m just sharing her experience so you guys can be aware that such a thing has happened. 

13 minutes ago, Cryssiekins said:

Yikes - what a nightmare.  

 

I would think that’s more of an issue that they were not familiar with the process.  The entire purpose of the extension letter is to bypass having to get the stamp.

 

I cross back and forth into Canada (by land border) frequently, and I haven’t had to show my passport coming back into the U.S. in a LONG time.  They only ever want the green card. 

I think it must be easier when you’re coming from Canada. This family friend was connecting through Dubai and they refused to let her clear and board. 

1 hour ago, tortugarouge said:

Everyone seems to have received very quick responses. We filed 1/14 and nothing yet. Check also hasn’t been cashed. I’m getting nervous as we have a trip planned in April. 

Definitely don’t go out of the country without I-551 stamp. A family friend went without it and showed the NOA for this petition and they wouldn’t let her on her connecting flight back to the US. They said the NOA paper was not enough proof. She had to go back to the country she started from and go to the embassy to get I-551 stamp. After she got it, they allowed her to transit back to the US. 

Hi everyone,

We filed ROC for my husband on 1/26/19. It was accepted on 2/1/19 with a text that said I-797 notice to follow. We are planning on traveling in April but according to infopass, the two offices in New York that are available for us do not take appointments at this time. We don’t want to travel unless he has a I-551 stamp in his passport. Has anyone been able to get the stamp prior to the GC expiring?