OldUser

Interestingly, USCIS website mentions USPS Hold Mail service: Holding my fingers crossed this is going to work!

Thank you very much @Olga&Jared! Your approval will also eventually come, holding finger crossed it's going to be soon! I was already entertaining the possibility of filing writ of mandamus, but somehow got lucky 🙂

Update: the card was mailed to me, according to status. However, no USPS tracking number available.

Understood. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Still not clear as to what the end goal is? If it's just a cool thing to do, I wouldn't go for it. Too many complexities and unknowns that it result in when travelling. Also, what do you do when your stage name changes? That can happen. Would you go through this procedure again? How easy is it to keep changing? I'd investigate that before trying.

Is there a significant benefit for you to do this? Think twice, as this is not a usual piece of information in passport. Even though US is cool with it, other countries may be scratching their head when looking at your passport. Have you tried filling DS-82?

One of the trusted traveller programs for quick re-entry to USA. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry I have Global Entry too, but it never helped me boarding planes without showing GC and extension letter. Was there CBP preclearance at the departure airport @nerdcouple?

Yeah, you're right. In other words - physical presence test. Yes, this and continuous residence apply from "resident since date"

In addition, @Jacobr511 she should first apply for I-751 within 90 day window (prior to) her 2nd anniversary of becoming a LPR. That is: “resident since” date on her GC + 2 years - 90 days

What is a 30 months rule?

Amazing story, glad to hear you were lucky @nerdcouple Whenever I travelled to Europe and back I was asked to produce GC and extension letter multiple times: during check in and during boarding + connecting flight boarding.

DHL is also an option which is may be fast for shipping to and from Germany / EU

First status was "We ordered your new card" In few days it was followed by "Case Was Approved" USCIS sent approval notice, but not the card.

Update: I went to the USPS office and talked to an employee. I explained the entire situation and the fact this mail from USCIS is super important. Based on employee's explanation, if I was to put a Hold Mail, the mail would not be attempted to be forwarded. According to him, the forwarding bit happens at the location location (not sure if it's 100% accurate) and if hold is in place, mail will be held. I asked whether I can put any note or mark in their system to hold and not forward / return mail to USCIS. He gave me a yellow piece of paper, Authorization to Hold Mail, addressed to Post Master. I guess this form is the same as the one I filed online already. But I just want to make sure it's held for collection. He asked me how far I would be living now, and agreed it's a short drive to pick it up. Overall, he seemed sympathetic. I hope this works!

Sometimes text message never comes. It's not very reliable. I would worry if you haven't received extension letter 6-8 weeks after filing.

Your husband can get unrestricted social security card and state ID or driver's license. That's all he needs to show to employer for I-9 verification. No need to show GC and deal with explaining how extension letters work to HR. Your husband can apply for citizenship under 3 year rule when becomes eligible. That's 3 years minus 90 days from Resident Since date on GC. Of course, he needed to live with you all this time in marital union, haven't had trips longer than 6 months and meet physical presence requirements, be of good moral character and pay taxes.

Very tough situation, @nerdcouple You may get lucky and get boarded but I would say it's 1% chance. You need both expired GC and valid extension letter. Otherwise, options are: 1. Fly to Mexico or Canada and cross to the US by land 2. Get boarding foil from US embasy (fees and wait apply) Keep us updated!

This is a gamble in your situation (upcoming divorce while joint petition is on file etc). I agree with @Mike E

I wasn't able to revert it. Extended forwarding cannot be canceled. Will see how it goes, maybe somehow I'll be lucky. Meanwhile approval notice got sent according to the latest USCIS status.

Thank you for your suggestion! Initially, when I tried submitting Hold Mail request, it showed the address I'm moving to. However, I updated my USPS profile with my old rented place address. It asked me to verify identity using SMS, and profile got updated! According to messaging this profile address is not the same as official change of address. After "old" place's address showed under my profile, I was able to submit Hold Mail request for it! Now, I'm getting some popcorn, because there's multiple possible outcomes to this: 1. Extended mail forwarding (non-cancellable) will be honored by USPS and they'll forward mail to my new place 2. Extended mail forwarding won't be honored by USPS. They'll return mail to USCIS because they're not supposed to forward it 3. Hold Maill will take priority over forwarding and the post office hold mail for the old place 4. Something completely random will happen Given all this, I'll leave USPS Intercept feature alone. P.S. I was also able to revert my Informed Delivery to show mail coming to "old" address. Wish me luck! I hope this thread is educational.

Thank you for the valuable insight! #1 - I'll try to do that. May be challenging, as mail gets delivered randomly between 7 am and 8 pm. #2 - I cannot put it on hold for rented place. I just literally changed address not long ago with USPS. #3 - Tried that but not 100% my request was honored. The confirmation email says: "You have successfully canceled your Change-of-Address filing. Your mail will no longer be received at the address you filed cancellation for". Not sure I understand what they mean by that. What happened in your case and how did you resolve it @Verrou?

Thank you very much! It's likely I will take a little break and apply next year under 5 year rule 🙂 Ultimately I want to become a citizen, just not sure I want to deal with USCIS right after long I-751 wait.

Thank you very much! There's a bit of challenge, I really hope the card doesn't get lost 😅 But I will keep VJ updated.

Thank you, that's the plan now. Will keep this thread updated.

It's not bad, around 15-20 miles. I can drive to both easily.