Karan Mehta

13 hours ago, Ontarkie said:

Please stop tagging a bunch of members to your post, most of the time tagging does not work and many of the members you tagged are not longer on JV. Just post your question and member that can help will help when they see your post. 

Noted!

21 minutes ago, HRQX said:

That is the correct length since you presented the I-551 stamp.

Okay, I got this information - you are correct -- for residents (I-551), the DL is issued for 8 years! And since I presented the address proof of Texas only so all this makes sense.. thank you!

https://www.dps.texas.gov/driverlicense/applyforlicense.htm

The Department issues driver licenses valid for up to eight years to Texas residents 18 years of age and older. 

@HRQX @Lucky Cat

This was a first time DL application and not renewal. And yes, it was issued till my birth day of 2028

Has anyone heard that the DL being issued is directly proportional to the VISA which a person has? I wonder why so many people on H1B told me they got the DL issued till their H1B was active. 

NOTE - I heard from another fellow that he was issued a DL till 2029 and he entered the US in 2020 (so maybe this isn't an error from DPS but some rule or process - dont know). And he entered after 2 years of marriage. He is currently waiting for his GC to arrive and expecting a 10 yr GC but doesn't know for sure as he hasn't seen the GC yet.

Maybe I am looking to hear what I am anticipating for 😃

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Further updates - 

- I had sent the package containing my original green card, letter explaining why I should get 10 yr IR1 GC, copy of marriage certificate and form I-90 in late October to USCIS. My case is under review and as per the myaccount section on USCIS, it will take 3 more months for USCIS to decide. I didn't have to go through Biometrics this time as they were able to use the previously submitted biometrics. I have also gotten an extended I-551 stamp on my passport by taking InfoPass appointment with USCIS which is active till Dec 2021.

Update - I went to get a Leaners permit last week (as I got a delayed appointment due to Covid). I gave the online test at a DPS location here in Texas. And I got a learner's permit which will be active till Dec 2028. 

Question - They have issued me a drivers learner's permit which will be active until 2028. Does this mean at the backend its visible that I will get a IR1 (10 yr) Green Card? I had heard that the license is issued as per the VISA. They asked me for my passport (which has an extended stamp till Dec 2021 which I got via Info Pass appointment) and my SSN.

Let me know your thoughts.

Regards,

Karan Mehta

On 10/23/2020 at 12:53 PM, Duke & Marie said:

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

Hey @Duke & Marie - thank you for sharing the link, I am able to see what you were referring to. I hope my situation has a similar timeline as I have filled an Offline I-90 form (without fees). And with the documentation, they have to make a call to convert the GC to IR1. 

On 10/23/2020 at 11:18 AM, Duke & Marie said:

The I90 should fix it... according to their site it takes around 6mths to fix but looks to be more like 3-4mths they’re currently processing late July 2020 for GC fixing.. 

 

you should have a stamp in your passport in the mean time that can be used to prove IR1 status and ability to work 

Hey @Duke & Marie thank you for a prompt response. I wanted to ask you on which website are you able to track this information about timelines? Like you mentioned currently the processing is July 2020, where do I see it myself?

On 10/22/2020 at 9:17 PM, Karan Mehta said:

Hi All,

 

Background - 

 

I married a US citizen on 17th Dec 2017 and my visa got approved in Oct 2019 and got a CR1 stamp on my passport. After reading online (mainly this forum), I realised that entering the USA after 2 years of marriage can be a good aid to get CR1 converted to IR1. Keeping this in mind, I entered the US on 23rd Dec 2019. At POE, after immigration the officer told me that I will be getting CR1 and I should come back in 2 years with my spouse for renewal. I informed the officer that I am entering after 2 years and 6 days of my marriage and thus I should be given an IR1 status instead. He was a bit surprised at first and then started looking for IV documents online. After 10-15 min of searching, he was able to locate the Marriage Certificate and told me he found it and then started entering notes for next 7-10 minutes in the system. I asked him, if he is changing from CR1 to IR1, he said he cant do that and is adding relevant notes and assured me that I will get IR1. But I had to travel back to India for some reason and due to Covid got stuck there. In the meantime, Green card came but the packet got lost by my spouse. So I applied for the lost GC (I-90) in Aug '20 upon my return to the US. I received a Green Card within 2 months (last week precisely) but I found that I was issued a CR1 Category GC instead with an expiry of Dec 2021.

 

Current Situation - 

 

I reached out to USCIS who told me that I should file I-90, write a letter stating the error and put in my original green card along with marriage certificate copy and send to USCIS office in Phoenix, Arizona. Yesterday, I sent a next day delivery to USCIS at the express delivery address with the I-90 (signed), Letter explaining the mistake, and Marriage certificate copy which was received by USCIS today morning.

 

Questions - 

 

1. Has anyone done this in the past? If yes, what was your experience? Kindly let me know all the details.

2. How much time did it take for USCIS to take a decision?

3. Did they ask for any additional documentation after receiving this packet?

4. How were you tracking this case? As this is not an online form but an offline (without fee) I-90?

5. Did you eventually get the IR1 Green Card? If yes, in how much time?

 

Please add anything relevant you may have for me to keep in mind and act accordingly and proactively. And what should I expect in next few days/weeks/months?

 

Thanks a lot. I love this forum as these are all real-life experiences which the community shares with each other and these are extremely helpful.

 

Regards,

Karan

 

 

Hey All - Request you to look into my queries above and share your best knowledge on the subject and questions

 

@TBoneTX @Boiler @geowrian  @Teddy B @Lucky Cat @Harpa Timsah @NikLR @Naes @Greenbaum @smilesammich @Voice of Reason @Ban Hammer @Ontarkie @elmcitymaven @SAT @spookyturtle @Hank_ @Pennylane @aaron2020 @yuna628 @The Nature Boy @Jacque67 @N-o-l-a @Cyberfx1024 @Hypnos

On 10/22/2020 at 9:17 PM, Karan Mehta said:

Hi All,

 

Background - 

 

I married a US citizen on 17th Dec 2017 and my visa got approved in Oct 2019 and got a CR1 stamp on my passport. After reading online (mainly this forum), I realised that entering the USA after 2 years of marriage can be a good aid to get CR1 converted to IR1. Keeping this in mind, I entered the US on 23rd Dec 2019. At POE, after immigration the officer told me that I will be getting CR1 and I should come back in 2 years with my spouse for renewal. I informed the officer that I am entering after 2 years and 6 days of my marriage and thus I should be given an IR1 status instead. He was a bit surprised at first and then started looking for IV documents online. After 10-15 min of searching, he was able to locate the Marriage Certificate and told me he found it and then started entering notes for next 7-10 minutes in the system. I asked him, if he is changing from CR1 to IR1, he said he cant do that and is adding relevant notes and assured me that I will get IR1. But I had to travel back to India for some reason and due to Covid got stuck there. In the meantime, Green card came but the packet got lost by my spouse. So I applied for the lost GC (I-90) in Aug '20 upon my return to the US. I received a Green Card within 2 months (last week precisely) but I found that I was issued a CR1 Category GC instead with an expiry of Dec 2021.

 

Current Situation - 

 

I reached out to USCIS who told me that I should file I-90, write a letter stating the error and put in my original green card along with marriage certificate copy and send to USCIS office in Phoenix, Arizona. Yesterday, I sent a next day delivery to USCIS at the express delivery address with the I-90 (signed), Letter explaining the mistake, and Marriage certificate copy which was received by USCIS today morning.

 

Questions - 

 

1. Has anyone done this in the past? If yes, what was your experience? Kindly let me know all the details.

2. How much time did it take for USCIS to take a decision?

3. Did they ask for any additional documentation after receiving this packet?

4. How were you tracking this case? As this is not an online form but an offline (without fee) I-90?

5. Did you eventually get the IR1 Green Card? If yes, in how much time?

 

 

Please add anything relevant you may have for me to keep in mind and act accordingly and proactively. And what should I expect in next few days/weeks/months?

 

Thanks a lot. I love this forum as these are all real-life experiences which the community shares with each other and these are extremely helpful.

 

Regards,

Karan

 

Apologies for tagging again - the previous one got submitted in error. Request you to look into my concerns

 

@Darnell, @John & Rose, @Amica Nostra, @bcking, @OriZ, @jg121783, @Soloenta, @Anh map, @Novembro, @Abies, @eieio, @carmel34, @Not a Tailor, @LilyJ, @Hotter Otter, @Dianalorena @mallafri76, @LoveMyTico, @David & Zoila, @Duke & Marie, @Mr&Mrs G., @KierenHby, @JBMG, @nastra30, @Kaylara, @CanAm1980, @Tofu, @Steffy Stef, @SusnOwen, @T&S_MTL

 

 

@Darnell, @John & Rose, @Amica Nostra, @bcking, @OriZ, @jg121783, @Soloenta, @Anh map, @Novembro, @Abies, @eieio, @carmel34, @Not a Tailor, @LilyJ, @Hotter Otter, @Dianalorena @mallafri76, @LoveMyTico, @David & Zoila, @Duke & Marie, @Mr&Mrs G., @KierenHby, @JBMG, @nastra30, @Kaylara, @CanAm1980, @Tofu, @Steffy Stef, @SusnOwen, @T&S_MTL

6 hours ago, HRQX said:

In that case, I-551 stamps are only issued inside of the US. When do you plan to return to the US?

Hi,

I am in Houston, Texas. I was actually very interested to know about the process that happens when you send the documents to convert to IR1 and if someone has done that and what happens next (any real experience). 
 

For the stamp, I read somewhere later that I’ll have to call USCIS and get an appointment a month before. I am clear on that now. Thank you!

@HRQX - no I don’t have the physical green card with me as we have to send the original to USCIS as thats a requirement

Hi All,

Background - 

I married a US citizen on 17th Dec 2017 and my visa got approved in Oct 2019 and got a CR1 stamp on my passport. After reading online (mainly this forum), I realised that entering the USA after 2 years of marriage can be a good aid to get CR1 converted to IR1. Keeping this in mind, I entered the US on 23rd Dec 2019. At POE, after immigration the officer told me that I will be getting CR1 and I should come back in 2 years with my spouse for renewal. I informed the officer that I am entering after 2 years and 6 days of my marriage and thus I should be given an IR1 status instead. He was a bit surprised at first and then started looking for IV documents online. After 10-15 min of searching, he was able to locate the Marriage Certificate and told me he found it and then started entering notes for next 7-10 minutes in the system. I asked him, if he is changing from CR1 to IR1, he said he cant do that and is adding relevant notes and assured me that I will get IR1. But I had to travel back to India for some reason and due to Covid got stuck there. In the meantime, Green card came but the packet got lost by my spouse. So I applied for the lost GC (I-90) in Aug '20 upon my return to the US. I received a Green Card within 2 months (last week precisely) but I found that I was issued a CR1 Category GC instead with an expiry of Dec 2021.

Current Situation - 

I reached out to USCIS who told me that I should file I-90, write a letter stating the error and put in my original green card along with marriage certificate copy and send to USCIS office in Phoenix, Arizona. Yesterday, I sent a next day delivery to USCIS at the express delivery address with the I-90 (signed), Letter explaining the mistake, and Marriage certificate copy which was received by USCIS today morning.

Questions - 

1. Has anyone done this in the past? If yes, what was your experience? Kindly let me know all the details.

2. How much time did it take for USCIS to take a decision?

3. Did they ask for any additional documentation after receiving this packet?

4. How were you tracking this case? As this is not an online form but an offline (without fee) I-90?

5. Did you eventually get the IR1 Green Card? If yes, in how much time?

6. I need to get an extended I-551 stamp on my passport. What should I do for that?

Please add anything relevant you may have for me to keep in mind and act accordingly and proactively. And what should I expect in next few days/weeks/months?

Thanks a lot. I love this forum as these are all real-life experiences which the community shares with each other and these are extremely helpful.

Regards,

Karan

@Ayrton - Alright, noted! 

@Ayrton - Did they ask you for photocopies or originals of your passport, marriage certificate etc? They have asked for photo-copies from me

@Paul & Mary - thank you for your suggestions. I went to DPS in texas and they are okay with the I-551 stamp for the driver's license. It's just that I didnt get the appointment due to covid and everything being online these days so long wait times.

USCIS has asked me to send a copy of the marriage certificate. You are right, they should have it as I uploaded it on the CEAC website during DS-260 filing. Maybe they want to compare it. And yes, I have to send my original green card.

@Paul&Mary - with the information I have given (again mentioning below), do you think I am on the right track? And I should ideally be getting IR1 for 10 years?

1. Date of Marriage = 17th Dec 2017

2. Date of Entry in the US = 23rd Dec 2019 (2 Years and 6 Days after marriage)

Please let me know your valuable thoughts

@Paul & Mary @pushbrk@Dashinka @Luckycuds @Lemonslice @payxibka @Jorgedig @JFH @Wuozopo @Chancy

Guys - I need your inputs on something critical I am filing. I received the green card which is of type CR1 (2 years), however my case is as below

1. Date of Marriage = 17th Dec 2017

2. Date of Entry in the US = 23rd Dec 2019 (2 Years and 6 Days after marriage)

Basis the above, I should have been issued an IR1 and not CR1. But USCIS erroneously issued me CR1.

Now I have to do the below - 

1. File I-90 (without fee)

2. Attach Marriage Certificate Copy

3. Attach a letter explaining the mistake

Send this packet to USCIS address in Phoenix, Arizona for their review and request them to make changes to the USCIS error.

Question - Can I file Form I-90 "ONLINE" without fee or it has to be an "OFFLINE" form? Asking as tracking an online form is really easy with the myaccount section of USCIS. I am not sure if I file online then if its designed to accept without fee. And I don't want to create another case by starting the form. 

I found some information in the below link but this has been marked as ARCHIVE and states this document could be out of date.

https://www.uscis.gov/archive-forms-updates/instructions-for-electronic-filing-of-form-i-90-renew-or-replace-a-green-card-online

Looking forward for your responses.

Regards,

Karan

@Paul & Mary @pushbrk@Dashinka @Luckycuds @Lemonslice @payxibka @Jorgedig @JFH @Wuozopo

Update - I received my GC yesterday. It was tough, USPS first told that their investigation says that my Mailbox was vandalised and documents were stolen and I will have to apply for I-90 again with USCIS. I had to speak to multiple supervisors and send multiple mails; had to push a lot and make a lot of phone calls to USPS to get things. Finally a supervisor went out on feet and found out that the packet was in some other mailbox. She opened it to find it was the right packet and then hand delivered it to my address. Phew, finally got my GC...

@Paul & Mary @pushbrk@Dashinka @Luckycuds @Lemonslice @payxibka @Jorgedig @JFH @Wuozopo

Is there a way to GPS track the package to know where it is? It is frustrating for 2 reasons, first I'll have to file I-90 again so another wait for a few months and then paying $540 for something which ISNT MY FAULT. Over the top of that, what if USPS messes up again?

I'll wait for 7-10 days before filing again, but your inputs or suggestions would help

@pushbrk - will i have to pay $540 again from my pocket?

@Jorgedig - thank you for a super quick response.

I am new to the US, don't know the different type of Mailboxes. It's the mailbox of a physical address in Houston (a house). The USPS tracking number says it's delivered at 12:59PM on Friday, but the first message said they will deliver it on Tuesday (which is today), but after that the message came that they delivered on last Friday itself. 

And yes, I do have an informed delivery from USPS, and their also it shows that it was delivered at the above time.

I lodged a complained with USPS at 5PM Friday.

@Paul & Mary @pushbrk@Dashinka @Luckycuds @Lemonslice @payxibka @Jorgedig @JFH @Wuozopo

Guys - USCIS approved my green card, and USPS says they delivered the GREEN CARD in the Mailbox on last Friday (9th Oct) but I never got it. There were mail but no GREEN CARD. I called USPS and logged a complaint and they say they would take another 3 business days to resolve it.

I called USCIS and they said I will have to file another I-90 form for lost/replacement green card. What should I do? What are my options?

@Paul & Mary - yes, you are spot on. I generally provide the same before my interview. But, this would expire on 22nd Dec 2020. And after that, there was nothing online which tells me how to extend (Not even on the USCIS account). As suggested by you, I will call the USCIS number and see if I can get an appointment to get another I-551 stamp which is valid for another year (and show that till my green card arrives). Does that sound like a good starting point as suggested by you? And you would like to add any other thing to this?

@Paul & Mary - Alright, I do have a SSN and card with me. Noted about the call to USCIS and check if I can get an appointment using that route

@Dashinka - Thanks for a super quick revert. The problem in my case is that I dont have a job yet and i am in the middle of finding one. So employers ask for a valid document which I wont have after 22nd Dec 2020.

Also on getting I-551 stamping for another, I searched online and there's something called as 'InfoPass Appointment' but that's not an option when you have entered the USA. I dont see any other option on myaccount section of my USCIS account. Are you recommending calling USCIS and enquiring? I can send them a message via USCIS account and also call them (usually the wait times are 40+ minutes)

Below is what I get when I choose to schedule an appointment

Scheduling An Appointment

Inside the United States

If you are inside the United States, you can no longer schedule an appointment online using InfoPass for domestic offices. However, you can check your case status, see our case processing times, change your address, and use other tools on our website.

If our online tools do not provide the help you need, please call the USCIS Contact Center to request an appointment.

@Paul & Mary @pushbrk@Dashinka @Luckycuds @Lemonslice @payxibka @Jorgedig @JFH @Wuozopo

I filed for I-90 on 14th Aug, received I-797c in a few days after. I have my biometric in a few days from now. I have a question which is extremely important now and its taking away my mental peace.

Situation & Question - My current VISA stamping is active till 22nd Dec 2020 (Valid as temporary I-551 for 1 year). However, my green card will come in 8-10 months. What is the process of staying after 22nd Dec 2020? I checked online and saw "InfoPASS Appointment' could be a route but that's not applicable if you are inside United States. Can I legally stay here with the I-797C receipt?

What is it that I have to do to be able to work as well as stay in the US legally?