darkchilde794

You can ask them to redo the card correctly. While the call center person on the phone may not think it is a problem, you need to have your green card agree with your identification. So, if you do not use your maiden name as your middle name and it isn't identified elsewhere, then I would suggest you have them correct it. You would file the I-90 and there would be no fee since it is their error. Take a photocopy of the card because you will need to send it back with the application. In the meantime, you can make an infopass appointment to have an I-551 stamp placed in your passport to show you are indeed a permanent resident.

My maiden name is on my current passport, but not on my SSN card (it is on the SSN that is under my maiden name) and my driver's license. I think I will take your advice and do this.

Should I make the info pass appointment first? Or send the card back and do it after? What would you suggest?

Got the GC in the mail today!

And there is a problem -- my "middle name" on the green card is my "maiden name".

For example:

If my name was Jane Ann Doe before I got married, and after I got married I am Jane Ann Smith

On my conditional green card, my name was "Jane Ann Smith"

On the 10 year GC, it is "Jane Doe Smith"

So I spent 20 minutes on the phone with USCIS because I wanted to know if this will be a problem. The lady on the phone had me explain the situation at least 10 times... but she went out of her way to find out the answer, and she said it is not a problem.

So WOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

So.. while I'm prepared to duck at the things being tossed at me by those of you waiting longer...

Somehow, my 10yr Green Card was ordered today.

Congrats!

Congrats!

Thanks HB and SDW!

To be honest, while the wait was long, it didn't bother me as much as the wait for the I-129F. At least at this point, we are all waiting with our significant others, in our new home, with our new families. I certainly did not feel the same loneliness and anxiety I felt waiting for package 3 or not knowing when the Montreal interview would be scheduled. That wait seemed so endless, especially since Red and I were apart.

Regardless, I am relieved this part is done because I am taking a trip overseas in January. I am also glad it got done before the elections. Seriously.

Got a text message from USCIS yesterday at 3 am in the morning - the 10-year GC was finally mailed

Good luck to everyone else getting their conditions removed. Stay strong!

HELLO!!!!

I have GREAT news! Last Tuesday, we got a letter approving my 10-year green card. The letter was dated September 7, 2012. We should receive my green card within 60 days

WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The November 2011 Vermont RoC filers are being processed now. December 2011 should start seeing VSC approvals within the next 2-3 weeks.

Thank you!

Hi guys! Anyone out there who filed for ROC in December 2011 via Vermont? If so, have you heard anything about your application at all? Thanks!

Last June, we drove up to Toronto for my brother's graduation. We bought him an Asus tablet that was about 500 bucks. My husband told the border patrol person that it was a gift for his graduation, declared the amount and I was SURE we would have to pay taxes. But the guy just waved us through. While I think it's important to be honest and follow the gift guidelines at all times, I also think that enforcing the guidelines greatly depends on the CBP officer you talk to

yo peeps.

I filed in March.

I've been scarce around this place too, but travelling soon to Canada (first time since 2010 Nov)

Had the NOA and biometrics already. Do I bring that NOA letter with me?

I don't expect to get a new GC issued to me before my trip. So therefore I will have my current CAN passport, an expired permanent residence card, and a letter stating "Your conditional resident status is extended for a period of one year."

I hope. Obviously it's the getting back into the US that's the trick. I'm not too worried but wondering if anyone else has traveled back to the US only with an expired GC and an NOA letter?

Regardless, I need me some cottage country. Bad.

What's up KnJ!?!? Hubby and I drove up to Toronto and back last month and got in AND out, no problem. Had my green card, letter and passport and border patrol dude did not even blink. Happy travelling!

So I just checked the timeline for I-175 processing via Vermont... and it says 8.5 months!!!! GOSH!

Nothing Tomorrow is 2 weeks since they received it. Kind of getting annoyed. They haven't even cashed the cheque or anything.

Ashen, that is scary. If there is one thing USCIS is great at, it is getting your money LOL! Have you had any luck calling?

Thanks everyone!

Card production email was sent today as I was leaving work.

Tomorrow is my 3 year anniversary from the day I moved here. Crazy, doesn't feel like 3 years!

Ashen - did you hear back on your application?

Woohoo!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATS!

Border patrol may also just be curious about you being a teacher. When I crossed the border, I was a grad student doing bacteria genetics, and they always had questions about it -- mostly just what I do and what I have to take, etc.

I also found it helpful to bring documents such as mortgage or work contract, in case they want to see proof that you are returning back.

Well I didn't even see this thread and have been blogging on the May filers.....back to the waiting game. We submitted the ROC I 751 May 14th, it was received in California May 16th and am still waiting for the NOA1...hauntingly familiar.

I'm hoping to get back to Canada in early August because it's been almost two years and will be by August. My card expires Aug 12th, although that was an error because I crossed over on the 13th but ....tis what it tis.

Soooo the beat goes on ....kind of discouraging to read that people getting approvals in June or July last year are still waiting for g/c ???

As long as you kept your first NOA letter, you are good! I've traveled with it and had no problems at all. In fact, hubby and I are driving to TO on Wednesday and I think all will be fine. If not, you guys will hear from me on Wednesday!

Is your old passport from the Philippines or Canada, you have Canada listed as your country? Canadians have NO issues traveling back and forth, my buddy in Canada drives down all the time for shopping or vacation. Don't know that I would ever consider traveling to Canada with Amy getting her AP first, want to be sure there is no issues returning to the States.

My passport is Philippines. My entire family is in Canada now, but I opted to move to the US because of a silly thing like love LOL! It becomes a bit of a challenge traveling, but so far everything's been smooth sailing.

Hank: Amy definitely needs a green card to go to Canada. I don't think AP would let her enter Canada. It's designed for her to re-enter the US again. Once she has her GC, she can go in and out of Canada easily

Its easier into Canada then back into the States... , they are less restrictive when driving in comparison to flying.

Once my fiancee has her AP we are hoping to motorcycle up to Toronto. My concern was not getting into Canada but later her getting back to the States.

It will not be a problem at all. Hubby and I went to Toronto to be with my family for Christmas twice... first time, I had my old passport (with my maiden name) - they asked to see our marriage certificate to verify we were indeed married. The second time, with a passport in my married name. No issues at all coming back - the patrol officer was more interested to see if we brought alcohol back (AS IF!!! $ of alcohol in Toronto >>>>>>>>>>>>>> $ of beer in Baltimore). This Wednesday, we will be driving up there again and this time I am under "ROC". Just got back from a cruise last Thursday and had no problems traveling with my extension letter so I foresee no problems traveling while under "ROC" too.

Mogambi -- I use this service to check visa requirements when visiting other countries: http://www.visahq.com/ It tells you if you are able to enter a country with a certain passport and a green card, etc. Sometimes having a green card makes a difference, sometimes it does not. I would not have been allowed in Bermuda without a visa, but because I have a green card I got in just fine. I distinctly remember that having a green card helped in our HK trip too: when I showed my green card, I was not asked for a departure date (from HK). The other Filipino tourists had to show their departure flights as Filipinos are only allowed a few weeks in the country.

Yeah, I think we can just book another InfoPass and get a stamp extension.

The letter extends one year from your greencard expiry though I believe, so my letter is technically good until November.

Thanks! We might all end up doing that so it is good to know.

I got the original NOA1 in August, but haven't heard anything since. I think I should hear something any day now, they are working on August cases.

I actually have a temporary greencard stamp on my passport. We were worried I would have to travel for work or we would have trouble on our cruise back in December, so hubby made me make an InfoPass and the guy gave me the stamp so I'm okay until October. I think the letter would've worked fine though and we were overly cautious.

Hopefully things will speed up for you all! I definitely did not think this would take 10 months!

Thanks Sapphire! What are our other options in case the GC does not come in time? Are we allowed to get another renewal?

Here's something I've been wondering, maybe people here have some experience.

My fiance will arrive in the US in August. Once we are married, and she has completed the AOS, and has her Green Card, I'm curious how, if at all, it affects her ability to travel internationally.

What I mean is, let's say we can to go to Japan. For a Filipino, it's a rather complex visa for her to get. If she's holding a LPR status in the US, does that change anything for her? I assume she's not entitled to the same benefit as a US Citizen (just show up, granted 30 or 90 day visas in most countries) but is there any benefit to her being an LPR of the USA? Does it simplify her getting visas to go travel?

I'd love to take her around the world traveling, Europe, Scandanavia, but am just wondering if getting her travel visas will be easier with her having her Green Card here...

Curious anyone's thoughts.

My husband and I traveled to SEA last year. I had no problems entering HK, SG and PHI and going back to the US with my Philippine passport/green card combo. While Filipino citizens require a visa to enter Canada, I've never had problems driving to Toronto using my green card (only) for admission (we've driven twice and plan to go again this week). We are thinking of going to Europe for our holiday next year and so I've begun researching the visa requirements for non-US/Canadian citizens. Even with a green card, I still need a Schengen visa to visit the countries we want to see in Europe. So in the end, it really depends on the country you are visiting -- good luck!

WELCOME BACK! I must come visit and get some crabs soon

I was thinking the same thing this morning!!! BEFORE I even thought to got on VJ! We shall make a date

Peachey -- you will get a letter right away, if your package went through. Sent mine via USPS with tracking and got the delivery receipt. Two days letter, I got the NOA-1.

Sapphire -- have you gotten notice about your extension? If you were preggy, you would be a month overdue!!! Are you planning on getting another renewal? How does that work? LOL, sorry for all my questions!

BTW anyone who has questions about cruising with an expired GC - I put up my experience in working/traveling during immigration.

I've changed a lot in more meaningful ways, but I think that's mainly due to being married and having a baby on the way, and less about living in the US.

Oh HUGGLES congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I traveled to Toronto several times with my passport in my maiden name (I have since changed it to my married name because my husband booked a ticket under that name!) and my green card with my married name. I just showed my marriage license and had no issues. My husband was with me at that time, but I doubt it would have been a problem if I were traveling alone.

Hello!

I just want to share my experience with traveling on an expired green card via cruise ship to anyone who may be doing it too --

I applied to remove the conditions off my green card last December. Like everyone else, the application is somewhere in limbo and I am looking at an 8 month wait for my green card to be renewed. Before finding out about this delay, my husband and I booked a cruise that departed from Baltimore to Bermuda. Naturally, I was worried about being denied boarding or having difficulty entering the US, etc. I was especially worried about NOT being allowed in Bermuda because I hold a passport from the Philippines and would have needed a visa to enter the country.

I am very happy to report that traveling with an expired green card and an extension letter was a breeze! I brought my passport, expired green card, letter of extension, marriage certificate (if needed) and photocopies of my documents. When checking in the cruise ship online, I put the "renewed" dated on my green card (ie. if GC expired 10-2-2011, I put down "10-2-2012"). At port, I showed my passport, green card and letter to the cruise personnel checking us in. She was unsure of what to do, but luckily decided to go to a manager right away. Her manager read the letter, told her to photocopy the document and gave the green signal to continue the check in procedure. I breathed a sigh of relief when she asked for a credit card for the room -- if they wanted our money, they wanted us in! Ironically, we were checking in beside another couple in the same situation as us! The wife had an expired green card and went to get her passport stamped (so she did not have a green card with her). The cruise ship personnel did not know what to do with it. I am unsure how long they ended up in the check in counter, but they did get in the cruise ship!

At port in Bermuda, I had no problems getting in and out of the cruise ship. I only showed my driver's license... they don't even check to see if you are able to officially enter/exit the country. I assume they rely on the cruise ship to do that.

Again, I was extremely worried going home. In fact, we were asked to line up in a different area in the customs section of the port. When we finally got to a customs officer, my expired green card posed no problem. I had the usual finger print check/photo done... and then we were asked to go to an office (I assume it was the port's secondary inspection area) where the customs officer handed my documents to a superior officer. My husband and I got a bit nervous at that point... but after a few minutes, he handed my documents back, said all was good and directed us to the hallway out of the building. Ironically, the same couple with the same situation that checked in at the same time as us, were also in line behind us at customs! I do not know how they fared because we left right after. The entire exit experience was a mere 20 minutes!

So anyway for those of you cruising, no worries, it will all be fine! I made several photocopies of my documents but did not need them at all (we were lucky to be in the cruise ship check in kiosk beside a photocopier, so the cruise ship personnel did it easily). I also brought a copy of our marriage license, but that was not needed as well. Just make sure you have all your original documents (I even brought the one about the biometrics), be clear with what is going on and don't be nervous. And enjoy your travels!

And oh! My husband and I are driving to Toronto on Wednesday so I might be back with my experience crossing the border with the extension letter

I checked the USCIS website and it suggests "8 months" for VSC... and when I looked at the processing times (link from Visa Journey), they are processing application from July 2011.

Hi guys! Just dropping in to see who are removing conditions with me!

We sent our application on December 13 - received the USCIS receipt and had our check cashed. It seems like VCS takes 6-8 months to process the paperwork. I'm unsure if I should make travel plans at this point - hubby and I were thinking of going on a cruise in May. Has anyone ever traveled and was allowed back in the US with just that NOA receipt?

We too did not include any friend/family affidavits in our application, just all our legal stuff: accounts, mortgage, insurance, bills and an album of ALL our pictures together

A coworker of mine filed for a ROC back in May and has not heard any decision yet. She did postpone her biometrics, so that may be a reason for the delay. Anyway, according to her, the NOA-1 is incredibly important. She lost hers (but manage to make a photocopy so she does have a copy). Apparently the USCIS local offices cannot reprint another NOA-1 unless you surrender your expired green card, which they discourage you from doing. So do not lose your NOA-1!

BTW, should I renew my EAD in case my new green card does not arrive in time? (even if the NOA-1 states I can work for another year after my card expires)

Thanks!