ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGreen Card/Abandoning Status Issues

Follow the link Kezzie provided and find the Instructions for I-751 and filing from overseas (yes, you can do that).


I may well be in the same situation as miketrombone in the coming months. My husband and I are considering moving to Europe for a while, to be closer to my family, but the problem is that the conditions on my PR are due to be lifted in May 2007 (we will have been married for over 3 years by then). You say it's possible to file the I-751 from overseas -- where can I find out more information about this? We've been through so much as far as immigration is concerned, not to mention the financial expense, so we're very worried that moving will screw everything up.

Advice is gratefully appreciated!
miriFemaleEngland2006-02-15 10:58:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNotarized letters (affadavits) from friends
We're gathering up the info needed to file the I-751 and have a question about these affadavit thingys.

I've read in a few posts that some couples haven't submitted notarized letters from friends so I'm wondering whether or not we need to bother. We have lots of proof of financial mingling -- my hubby and I just bought a house, have filed our taxes jointly since we got married, have a joint bank account, have joint credit cards and jointly own a car. Not to mention, he's listed as the sole beneficiary of my 401k should anything happen to me (he's a student so amusingly it's the immigrant supporting the USC in our relationship!). Thus I'm thinking that including some photos to beautify the whole package might be all the extra stuff we need.

All thoughts and advice gratefully received :) Cheers!
miriFemaleEngland2007-01-18 16:49:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionFed-ex to VSC
We Fed-Ex'd our I-751 package to the VSC yesterday -- only because we've had things lost in the mail recently and trust Fed-Ex more than USPS (and, apart from anything, the post office was closed). Good luck with your application!
miriFemaleEngland2007-02-11 13:12:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionHow long are you going to wait before you file your N-400?
I'm with you there -- I've been here for over 7 years now and I feel like throwing a box of Lipton Tea into the Charles River to protest about taxation without representation (my hubby thinks I'm mad!) :jest:

Assuming that I'll still be able to take dual UK/US citizenship, I will be filing the first day I'm eligible to (Feb 9th 2008) with the hope that I'll be able to vote in November 2008... it took them over a year to sort out my AOS so I'm still pretty peeved that I will have been married for 4 years as opposed to 3 by the time I can apply. Grumble grumble <_<
miriFemaleEngland2007-02-11 13:30:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionDoes this mean I got approved?
Blimey, that was quick -- congrats! I hope Vermont is as quick as California! :)
miriFemaleEngland2007-02-11 13:08:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionMoving while holding Temporary Green card ( 2 years holder)

file it now.... I was a little behind on filing those forms, it shouldn't be a problem...


Have just printed it out and hubby has just signed it. It'll be in the mail today... (amusingly though, I've been the one supporting him for the past 2 years since I'm working full-time and he's a student! :P )
miriFemaleEngland2007-02-17 08:45:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionMoving while holding Temporary Green card ( 2 years holder)
Yup, just file the AR-11 to let the DHS know that you've moved (needs to be done within 10 days of moving). Then, when you come to file the I-751, you will need to include an additional sheet of paper listing all your addresses since you got your conditional green card (this is what I just did as I moved twice since I received my conditional green card). The I-751 instructions tell you everything you need to do.

if your spouse is also moving then they will need to file I-865 within 30 days...


I didn't know about this -- what happens if you don't file within 30 days? We moved in November, could we still file this now? :o
miriFemaleEngland2007-02-17 08:24:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionThe wait is finally over! I have my permanent green card!
Wow, quick processing! Congratulations!!! :dance:
miriFemaleEngland2007-02-21 11:00:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionreceived my permanent green card today!!
Fab news -- congratulations! :dance:
miriFemaleEngland2007-02-21 10:49:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionwho writes the cover letter?
My hubby (USC) and I wrote our cover letter together -- I don't think it's important, but I found it was a good "checklist" to ensure that everything that needed to be sent was included. Good luck! :)
miriFemaleEngland2007-02-27 21:10:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSent
Nice one! I sent my package off on Feb 10th -- received the "receipt" for the fee last week but am still waiting on the NOA. I wonder how long Vermont is taking these days... :whistle:

(they don't take their time when it comes to cashing in on all of this... I wish we all got the same standard of service for our hard-earned money!)
miriFemaleEngland2007-02-27 21:13:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSent
I just sent my package yesterday... big relief to finally get it mailed. Thus begins the next wait in this seemingly never ending journey... :clock:
Good luck!!
miriFemaleEngland2007-02-11 12:52:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionUpdate- VSC-Finally!!!
Congrats! :dancing:

I submitted my petition three weeks ago now, and still no NOA... I guess I have a long wait ahead of me <_< (what is it with the VSC??!!! Mind you, it took them over a year to schedule our green card interview... I think our application got stuck behind a cupboard or something)

Edited by miri, 02 March 2007 - 09:41 AM.

miriFemaleEngland2007-03-02 09:39:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionColor Copy is OK for I-751
I submitted a colour copy of my greencard, photo pages of mine and my hubby's passports, and miscellaneous photos, but otherwise I sent b&w copies. I'm sure it doesn't matter what type of photocopy you send though, as long as you send all the right info! Good luck!
miriFemaleEngland2007-03-04 13:40:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionhow long does it take to do the biometrics
If it's anything like the biometrics taken for my conditional greencard, I suspect it'll take about half an hour total. Be there early for your appointment (I was about 10 minutes early last time and was called in about on-time) and the procedure itself should't take longer than 15 minutes.
miriFemaleEngland2007-03-04 13:43:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion10 yr GC from California Service Center
Wow! I can't get over how fast the CSC is! Maybe we should move out west... :)
miriFemaleEngland2007-03-02 09:47:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionFiling I-751 at Vermont
Update -- got my NOA several days ago (it was dated Feb 22nd) and received my biometrics letter yesterday -- scheduled for March 23rd... which is pretty lucky since I'm going to be out of town for a week, getting back at around midnight on the 22nd!

Anyway, thanks for all your posts -- good luck everyone!! :)


Not so sure about how fast the VSC were with my previous applications (3 months for my K1, and then over a year for my
greencard!) <_<
miriFemaleEngland2007-03-09 14:13:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionFiling I-751 at Vermont
I filed my I-751 with the Vermont Service Center on February 10th and still haven't received my NOA... :whistle: They managed to cash the cheque quickly enough though! Does anyone know, typically, how long it's taking at the moment (for the NOA, processing in general etc.)? When should I expect to be called in for biometrics? All advice gratefully received! I really wish someone from the California center would head east and teach them how to efficiently process things!!!

(interestingly, my hubby filed the change-of-address form with the USCIS the same day and received the NOA for that within a week...)
miriFemaleEngland2007-03-07 10:08:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGreen Card in hands!
Fab -- congratulations! :dance:

Once again, California rocks -- I wish the other slowness centers would copy how the CSC processes things!!! ^_^ Surely, if they can manage to process things promptly then the others could too?!
miriFemaleEngland2007-03-07 12:30:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionREMOVAL OOF CONDITION FEES?
I sent in a single cheque for $275 and it was cashed (very quickly, I might add) with no problem.
miriFemaleEngland2007-03-09 14:23:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGreen Card Arrived Today
Blimey, that was quick -- great news! :dance:

I wonder why there is such a discrepancy in processing times between the different service centres... clearly, they all need to be taught a thing or two by the CSC!
miriFemaleEngland2007-03-02 09:44:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAwesome!!
Congratulations! Blimey, talk about fast service! Now if only Vermont caught the California bug... :P
miriFemaleEngland2007-03-29 16:52:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTSC
I sent my I-751 package to the VSC on Feb 10th (arrived on the 13th) -- the cheque was cashed yesterday (20th), or at least it cleared our account yesterday... waiting for a receipt and the NOA now. Good luck everyone! :)
miriFemaleEngland2007-02-21 13:58:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGreat news from Vermont!
Hurrah! Great news! So Vermont is active after all!!! Best of luck with the next step in this long an arduous journey :)
miriFemaleEngland2007-04-23 10:08:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionVermont taking a long time?
Hiya -- nope, it's not you. Vermont is indeed taking its merry time with processing applications (maybe all the staff have gone on holiday to the California office, which is why things are so quick over there! <_< ). I had to wait almost a month for my receipt notice, although they were amazingly able to cash in their cheque within a few days... My biometric appointment was in March so I'm back to waiting again. You could try calling the USCIS and asking them if there's a problem, but I'm not sure how much help they'll be -- making an infopass appointment might be better but again it might turn out to be a complete waste of your time. I'd say be patient for a little while longer.

Good luck!
miriFemaleEngland2007-05-07 07:51:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNSC SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you have been here 8 years you are eligible to become a naturalized citizen. Then you can vote and have a say where your taxes are spent.


I may be wrong here - but I believe the years spent on F-1 and J-1 visa do not count toward eligibility for citizenship.


Nope, F-1 and J-1 don't count -- the only thing that counts is the time since I got my greencard...
miriFemaleEngland2007-04-23 10:13:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNSC SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ME! ME! Hehehe, sorry - I fully -and I mean fully - appreciate your circumstances. We filed for our I-129f in June 2003 - and it took over 6 months to approve our I-129f and we are a straight forward case from Canada as well. It took 9 months in total to receive the K-1.

On top of that, we filed for AOS within a month of our marriage - filed July 2004 - and then waited and waited and waited again. It took 2 years less 3 weeks to get my AOS approved - so you are ahead of us even though you started after us. I don't even get to file my I-751 until next March! Grrrrr! And there were no RFEs or reasons for delays or anything untoward with my application either - and I have a very unusual and unique last name - all of the people with this last name in North America are related - so security checks should not have been difficult.

Wow, I can't believe it took someone longer than me to get their AOS approved -- I really feel for you. My K1 took 4 months so not too bad (but not great). We filed the AOS paperwork days after we were married in April 2004 but it took them over a year (13.5 months) to process, in fact, we think that the only reason it didn't take longer was that we contacted our congressman about it. I'm from England and our case is also straightforward (no RFEs etc.) It is so frustrating seeing other people -- paying the same fee -- being processed efficiently and thus being able to file their I-751 / N400 months before us despite initially filing after us! Furthermore, with the impending fee hikes, we're likely going to have to pay a lot more for processing because of USCIS incompetence. I've actually written to our senators and congressman about this -- my hubby had a good suggestion: for every day over the predicted filing time, they should refund $5 of the fee -- this way, when the fees are hiked up, paying the extra isn't more of a burden...

It's just so frustrating that 1. we're out of pocket more than we should be (which, given that I wasn't allowed to work until they processed my work permit meant that we sank slowly into debt), 2. it seems like your zipcode determines the processing speed (or lack thereof) , and 3. I should be applying for my N400 this year not next -- and after nearly 8 years in this country I'd like a say in how my taxes are being spent (and who is running the country and USCIS!)...!!
miriFemaleEngland2007-04-18 06:43:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionIs Vermont taking a long time to process???
Looks like you'll be uber-lucky to get your app processed within 6 months -- I filed in Feb, biometrics were done in March, and I've heard nothing since. My application was "touched" on April 10th, but that probably means that they picked it up off the floor or something. ;)

I'm not too bothered though, as long as they don't take this long when I file my N-400!!! (I'd like to be able to vote in November 2008!)

Good luck to one and all :)
miriFemaleEngland2007-05-16 23:02:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionVermont I-751 Check Cashed
Wow, they took their time! They seem to be very keen on cashing in their money as soon as they can ;)

Good luck with your application !!!
miriFemaleEngland2007-05-17 13:38:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI'M IN!!!!!
Congrats!!! And best of luck with your final paperwork! (I can't wait to file the N-400 and be able to say good riddance to all USCIS frustrations :) )

:goofy:
miriFemaleEngland2007-05-20 22:16:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAnother Vermont Approval

I think they will process all applications in less than 6 months when they increase the fees dramatically as they are proposing now


I wouldn't bet on it :wacko: We can but hope though :)
miriFemaleEngland2007-05-17 13:36:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAnother Vermont Approval
Congrats! :)

I wonder if/when Vermont will manage to process applications in less than 6 months...? From the looks of things, I've a few months waiting left <_<
miriFemaleEngland2007-05-16 22:57:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAOS Approved 1 Day Before 2nd Anniversary
My sympathies -- I'm pissed off for you. I am so sick of the incompetent idiots working at the USCIS. I bet they did it deliberately *insert series of expletives here*. It took them just over a year to process my AOS, so I'm feeling pretty grateful now. Seriously, they should compensate you for the increased fees that you're going to be stuffed with. :angry:
miriFemaleEngland2007-06-05 11:40:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 approved!!! VSC
Great news! Congratulations!! :) Here's hoping that Vermont is finally getting its act together...
miriFemaleEngland2007-06-19 12:26:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionHas anyone been denied a driver's licence while lifting conditions?
This isn't the first time that I've heard about the morons in the RMV thinking they have the right to act as immigration officials. I know people here (Boston) who have been denied learner's permits because they aren't green card holders -- which is a complete crock. A friend of mine ended up going to a different office in a nearby town and was able to get one with no problem -- clearly, there are staff at some RMVs who need to be taken down a peg or two.

Having the disclaimer on the SS card shouldn't have anything to do with getting/not getting a DL (I got mine ok and my SS still has the disclaimer -- will get it fixed once my 10-yr card arrives). Best of luck with getting the DL, and putting the idiots at the RMV straight. I feel your frustration *insert expletive here* :angry:
miriFemaleEngland2007-06-19 12:39:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAPPROVED!!!!
Superb news - congratulations!! :) Good to see Vermont actually doing something!!!
miriFemaleEngland2007-06-15 10:18:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAPPROVED
Fab news -- congratulations!! Good to see another Vermont approval!! :D
miriFemaleEngland2007-06-19 12:29:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionReady for the 4th round
Best of luck! I know how you feel about proving you're in a "bona fide" relationship -- so frustrating. Nearly done with this bit though!!! Not long to go now!!! :)
miriFemaleEngland2007-06-26 09:11:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751VSC - NOA 01/25/2007
I'm keeping an eye on Vermont -- I filed in February, so am not holding much hope out for anything green-card-esque arriving anytime soon... stranger things have happened though. ;)
miriFemaleEngland2007-07-03 06:48:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionUSCIS is clearly NUTS!
Hey, congrats :) (and congrats on the 10 year GC too!)

The online status for my AP only switched to "Approved" last year (2 years after the fact) -- and for some reason, when I filed my I-751 app, the first thing that was "touched" was my Employment Authorization application from 2004!! I agree, stuff like this needs to be shown to the powers-that-be so that they have first-hand evidence of how incompetent the USCIS is. I actually sent a rather ranting email to my congressman and both senators a while ago (complaining about the complete ^&$* up that is the USCIS and how we are spending a fortune on a truly abysmal 'service'), and did get a really nice response back from my congressman asking if there was anything he could do to help with my current application. My reply was "not right now, but you'll likely hear back from me next year when I file my N-400 application"...
miriFemaleEngland2007-07-03 06:44:00