Hi everyone,

I apologize if this question has been answered somewhere previously, I didn't see it! My husband's conditional status will run out 10/13/2015, and we are trying to get ready to file the I-751, but I have had some conflicting information as to when it should actually be sent in.

On the actual instructions for the form, it says within 90 days immediately before your conditional residence expires.

This past summer, we crossed the border to and from Toronto, and a CBP officer told us that we should start thinking about it soon, as it can take months to clear.

I also made a note on my calendar when we were going through the initial process in 2013 to file it 6 months before the expiry date, I think because I read it in the instructions for the initial application.

So, can anyone shed light on this for me? Also, if anyone has filed recently, what was your experience with the timeline for processing?

Thanks!

The I-751 can ONLY be filed within the 90-day window just prior to the card expiration.

As for timeline, figure 6 months to a year. He will receive a 1-year extension letter after filing, which allows him to travel abroad with the expired card, if necessary.

Rene

This. I received my 1 year extension letter a few days ago.

Pedantic Stuart notes: only the JOINT I-751 has to be within that 90 day window. And even then, a "late" filing will often be excused. As for an "early" filing of the JOINT petition, well, the minions of the Dark Forces are kind of weird about that and will disallow it. The case law they rely on for that proposition [e.g. where filing sets up a "priority date"] really does not apply, but no reason to fight it.

This is correct. You have a 90-day window... and you must not file it even one day too soon. Note that 90 days is not the same as 3 months.


It says nothing of the sort... so you either misread, or did not fully understand what you read.

Ian

Hi Folks,

Kind of a random follow-up question on this, since I'll be preparing for the I-751 process in the next couple of months, and the answer may also affect the OP.

I understand that you have a 90 day window to file the petition for removal of conditions. I was curious however, does it matter if during the first two years in America you spent three weeks out of the country, for example on vacation to Canada or UK? Does that affect the 90 day window at all?

Thanks, Rich.

Correct.


No. You file based on time as a PR... not based on time inside the US.

Ian

Thanks Ian!

Hi all,

We did the petition for removal of conditions. Our 2 year green card ended july 2014.
We sent in all the paperwork, paid the fees and today in the mail had a congratulations letter saying we had been approved. No interview, all done within 6 months happy girl

Hope your experience is as easy as ours was.

Good luck

Hi Janeth,

Thanks for the update, and congratulations on the quick and easy removal of conditions!

Do you happen to have a list of what was included in the package you submitted for renewal? Like the OP, I'm beginning to pull the various pieces together for my own submission (which will be in a couple months' time).

Many Thanks,
Rich.

Thanks .... I don't have a list, but i can remember we sent minimal documents in the application packet.
We sent joint tax returns, bank accounts, deed to the house we own, credit card statements, insurance documents etc...
I didn't send any photos or birth certificates.
Guess we were lucky and the documents we did send were enough.
If you have a bona fide marriage you have nothing to worry about

General observation -- many people obsess on how much documentation is enough. It is case by case, but it pays to have pity on the poor adjudicator who has to look at this stuff.

Some case really don't need all that much. And other, a ton of documentation does not help all that much. No set rules.