flagunitas

Hi,

My greencard was lost in the mail last year(december) and i applied for a replacement soon after(january). I still haven't received the replacement greencard(i hope it isn't lost again, there's no way of me being able to check it's status either, right?). My greencard was issued on 28th August and my first day in USA was September 6th 2016.

My question: I'm travelling out of country on 28th of august. Will i need to get temporary i-551 stamp in passport before i leave or does the fact that my first day in USA was September 6th make it ok to return before then?

Thanks in advance

rpjs

Your endorsed immigrant visa is valid as a temporary I-551 for one year from entry, so you should be fine with CBP if you return before that year is up. You might have trouble with airline check-in staff though if they're not familiar with the endorsed visa's status as an I-551. If you applied for a replacement GC in January, I think the maximum you should have to wait is six months. If I were you I'd make an Infopass appointment with your friendly neighborhood USCIS to find out what's happened. You could ask for the one year I-551 stamp at the same time.

flagunitas

Thanks. I'll ask about greencard but USCIS employee told me that i could wait 9 months for replacement greencard. Fingers crossed it comes soon..

Twinkle0927

How was your GC issued before you arrived? Or are we talking different years?

ian-mstm

Leaving the US won't be a problem. But - when do you return? If it's after September 6, 2017 you won't have a viable entry document.

Ian

ian-mstm

He didn't. It was an immigrant visa.

Ian

mrken30

The people at Infopass are really friendly and helpful. I got a replacement Greencard within a few weeks when I found a mistake on mine. They did take my original Greencard so there were a few weeks when I had no visa or greencard. They said it would be fine when I raised my concerns. Not sure how I would feel in the current climate.

atlanta355

I have been waiting 9 months for my 10 year renewal. Booked an appointment, went down to USCIS today and got a 1-551 stamp in my passport. Agent told me in my area (Atlanta) green card renewals are now taking up to a year to be mailed. Also state will only now issue a drivers license in 6 month periods until new car arrives. Lots of wasted time. Ten years ago when I renewed the card arrived in the mail in less than a month. Once you have the 1-551 stamp you can travel no problem.