ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionInfopass experience and questions
Go ahead with your N-400. If your marriage is valid and you have no concerns about it (and a 5th anniversary shows it seems on pretty solid ground), then they will have to adjudicate the I-751 in order to process the N-400. VSC seems really screwed up. They are processing cases with a good 6 month spread between them at the same time while there are applications still outstanding from 2007 and early 2008. I highly doubt your case will be 'denied' due to the length of time it is taking. I would put that down to VSC incompetence and you might as well get on with your life instead of waiting for them to get their act together. I think it is also a good idea for you to contact your Senator's office and ask them to investigate this delay. Good luck to you.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-19 21:44:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion1 year and 1 month wait - still no GR in sight!!
Congratulations - it is well past time.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-19 21:46:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion1 year and 1 month wait - still no GR in sight!!
It is ridiculous that it takes VSC 6 times longer to do what CSC does in processing the same applications. I haven't been waiting as long as you - only 11 months - but I am quickly reaching the stage of contacting my Senators and Congressmen and complaining about this ridiculous state of affairs. You might want to contact yours as well. It is time VSC started to be accountable for what they are supposed to do - empty promises just don't cut it anymore.

Good luck to you, and I agree, this sucks big time.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-01-21 15:18:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAfter one year and 20 days
Finally!!! Congratulations - I have been looking for this post every day and am so glad that you finally have your approval.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-21 16:41:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNeed help with some proof for I-751 Removal of Condition!
I think either would be fine. Having both names on a cheque from a joint checking account counts as evidence. You could include either a photocopy or a real cheque with VOID across it.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-07 11:35:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionRFE
My husband bought his house before we met and my name is neither on the deed nor the mortgage. I wrote an explanation in my I-751 application that we have an excellent 30 year mortgage rate and there was no way we were going to refinance just to add my name to the mortgage, and that in our State once we are married everything is communal property so according to the law I am already owner of half of the property whether my name is on the deed or not, so why pay for a document that just proves what is already the law. I did include lots of evidence to show that we both living here and involved in the ongoing care and maintenance of the property as well as lots of other evidence of co-mingled finances and social lives. We were not asked for any other evidence and our application was approved.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-15 11:29:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI751 Help :(
How long ago did you file for the I-751 and to which service center? It will be easier for us to give you an answer if we have this information. Do you know for a fact that they did send out the biometrics notice or are you just expecting that you would have it by now?
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-22 17:13:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSome day it will end
Congratulations! Your son started his visa journey the same time we did - May 2003 - and I just got my 10 year card last month. It is a long journey, I'm glad it is done for you and your family as well.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-23 10:37:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionwhere's my BIOMETRIC notice?!
you can make an infopass by going to the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov On the right hand side there will be a column that lists different options including one that says "Schedule an Appointment". Click on that and then follow the instructions. On the day of your appointment bring your passport if you don't have an NOA, your green card, your NOA (if you have it) and make sure you have your A number available. They will be able to look up your information either by the case number on the NOA or by your A#. Good luck.

Edited by Kathryn41, 22 March 2009 - 07:37 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-22 19:36:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussioni need some information about resident card
If your first card is a 2 year card it is considered a 'conditional' green card. It means that you were married for less than 2 years when you received your green card. What you need to do is to apply to 'remove the conditions' by filing an I-751 application BEFORE the 2 year green card expires. You can file it starting 90 days before the expiry of the 2 year card. You need to include a number of documents along with the application proving that your marriage is a real marriage and not one entered into for immigration purposes. These documents include tax returns showing either joint filing or married, filing singly; joint bank account statements; joint lease or mortgage/property deed; joint loans; joint health insurance, things like that. You want to show how you how mingled together your lives financially and socially. Read the pinned article on questions about Removal of Conditions at the top of this forum.

Edited by Kathryn41, 23 March 2009 - 07:21 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-23 19:19:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGot the Letter from USCIS (VSC to CSC Transfer)
Well, the good news is they are working on your case . . . Good luck at the interview and I hope it is just one of those done for statistical purposes in which case you should have no problems. Keep us informed about what happens, ok?
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-23 16:23:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionwill be posting my package tomorrow
Looks good to me. Do the joint statements cover the whole period of your marriage - the beginning, middle and most recent? If not, you may wish to add a few more so you have a full range to evidence. Good luck.

Edited by Kathryn41, 23 March 2009 - 10:08 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-23 22:07:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionIRS transcripts or simple copy of tax return??
If your 90 day window just opened you have lots of time - 90 days worth. You don't have to file right at 90 days - you can file anytime during those 90 days right up to the day before your green card expires. And yes, you can order the transcripts over the phone - it is an option driven menu - it doesn't actually mention transcripts until several steps into the menu but it is pretty straight forward.

Edited by Kathryn41, 12 March 2009 - 10:05 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-12 22:04:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionIRS transcripts or simple copy of tax return??
If you use your regular tax copy you need to submit all of the attachments as well - W-2s, investment receipts, everything that goes into supporting your tax filing. It is easier to send the tax transcripts from the IRS - they're free and usually arrive within 2 weeks.

Everything else looks good. Good luck.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-12 21:31:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionInterview for Removing Conditions on Residency
You may or may not have an interview for your I-751. Not having an interview for the AOS doesn't seem to be a significant factor in that decision. There are a number of us who did not have an interview for our AOS either, nor did we have an interview for Removal of Conditions. I guess it is just wait and see what happens. Good luck.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-24 13:49:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionJust submitted my I-751
We didn't have affidavits from friends either and had no problems. As long as you have lots of other documentary evidence showing you have co-mingled your financial and social lives you should be fine. You will probably receive your biometrics about a month or so after your NOA (although there are some who have received it later) and depending on what Service Center you have sent it to, could receive a decision as early as 2 months or as long as 6 to 8 months (assuming VSC catches up). You can pursue citizenship 90 days less than the 3rd anniversary of your green card, so in about a year. Good luck.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-23 19:25:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionMoving back home!!
If you wish to move away and take up residence in another country you put your permanent resident status in the US at risk. You are supposed to be living in the US with temporary absences only outside of the US. While you are supposed to be able to be out of the country for up to a year without requiring special permission, any time outside of the country can put you at risk if USCIS believes you have given up residence in the US. If you do wish to return 'home' for an extended period of time, why not apply for your citizenship - Britain recognizes dual citizenship. It should take another few months only depending on your local office and then you are able to leave the US and return whenever you wish without putting your right to return to the US at risk.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-25 19:03:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionunproccessed I-751 returned to us yesterday
Yeah, it's frustrating, isn't it? Some people have been caught out in a similar way by thinking 3 months instead of 90 days and arriving a day or two early with the same results as yours. Good luck with the re-filing and I hope you get a speedy decision.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-24 10:32:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionwow - that was fast!!
Congratulations. CSC is moving along at a pretty good clip so you shouldn't have too long of a wait. Good luck.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-24 13:47:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionDo they cash the check for I751 before sending out NOA1?
QUOTE (forever&ever @ Mar 1 2009, 12:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am still waiting for my NOA. It has been three weeks since we've mailed out the application and THEY cashed the check as well. I am getting a little nervous and probably I shouldn't be. I see a bunch of numbers on the check but I cannot make any case number out of it so I can finally track it online.


Don't worry too much about not being able to read your case number on the back of your check - that number, which is also the number on the first NOA you get, won't give you any information about your case status. It is an internal number for USCIS use only. You need to wait until you receive your Biometrics appointment letter as it will have a different case number, and you can use that number to check out and track your case status on line.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-01 14:22:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionwaiver
If you are divorced or widowed, you can file for a waiver of the joint filing requirement. If you look at the actual form - the I-751 form for Removal of Conditions - you will see part 2 on the bottom that asks why you are applying to remove conditions. You would check off the part of the form that says you are applying on your own as you are divorced or widowed and asking a waiver for the joint filing requirement. You don't need to get anything extra - it is all on the form already.

If you are divorced or widowed you can file anytime - you don't have to wait until 90 days before your conditional green card expires.

(Moving this to the Removal of Condition forum).

Edited by Kathryn41, 26 March 2009 - 05:25 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-26 17:23:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWaiting for 10 y.Green Card
If you called the 1-800 number you were talking to a call center person, not an immigration officer. These people tend to give out wrong information more often than not.

For what it is worth, I never received an NOA and I did get the I-551 stamp in my passport - and I did receive my 10 year green card while the I-551 stamp is still valid.

You might want to do another follow up infopass appointment at your local USCIS office and see if they can find up why you haven't received your green card yet. You should have it by now.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-26 17:31:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCase Approved, But GC Card Still Not Received !
If your original greencard (2 year) is the one that expired and you have an NOA extending that greencard for a year, you will have no problems travelling. If your NOA is what expired and your original green card expired back in 2008, then you can make an infopass appointment at your local USCIS office. Explain to them that you have travel plans - bring proof of your travel with you - and bring your unexpired passport with you. You can tell them you have not yet received your 10 year green card but have been approved, yet need to have proof of your status to travel. They can put an I-551 stamp in your passport that will work as a green card until you receive the actual green card. Remember, they will do this if you have no other proof of your status, but if you do have a valid NOA that extends your greencard past the time of your travel date you can use the NOA (with the expired green card).
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-26 11:05:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionMoving to another country
If you move and take up residence in another country that is considered abandoning the green card. You are supposed to be living in the US except for temporary and short term absences. If you can wait approximately another 2 years ( a year beyond November) he can apply for citizenship and once he gets that he can live wherever you choose. If you wish to pursue citizenship and decide to leave the country temporarily for work, absences over 6 months interrupt the 3 year residency that is required for citizenship and make it longer to qualify for citizenship.

If you do decide to leave and abandon the green card you can re-apply for a spousal visa if and when you want to return to the US. Yes, it would mean starting all over again, however if you are both legally resident in the other country you may be able to do a DCF (Direct Counsular filing) instead which would be somewhat faster. I don't know if it would be harder to get another green card or not - I suspect it would still depend on the quality and quantity of evidence you can provide to show the validity of the marriage, as well as the medical, security and immigration considerations. You wouldn't have a two year conditional card in that case though but would qualify for the 10 year card.

I guess it depends on what the two of you want ultimately. Good luck with your decision.

Edited by Kathryn41, 27 March 2009 - 04:35 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-27 16:35:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussioncase status online
QUOTE (guguis @ Mar 27 2009, 07:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hello you need to use the receipt number in the biometrics appointment
so you can check the status of your application


This is right. The receipt number on the NOA is an internal number and not tied into the online status update option. You will notice that the biometrics letter has a different case number. Look up that number instead. If it doesn't work, wait a few days, possibly even until after biometrics are done and then check again. Good luck.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-27 20:21:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionLeasons Learned (I-751)
One question answered from before . . . yes, those who got their AOS without an interview are also getting I-751s approved without an interview.

Also - plan ahead! It is easier to collect information when it comes in (ie bank statements, etc.) and set it aside as potential evidence rather than trying to gather it all together afterwards and finding out you may have thrown away something useful. As well, if you can, make sure you passport is up-to-date. If it is due to expire within the next 6 months, renew it as early as you can so that you can have a valid passport in which to get the I-551 stamp either after the 1st year's NOA extension letter expires - or when you never get an extension letter at all (TSC filers after mid January 2008).
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-05-07 16:15:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCan we file for naturalization and removal of conditions at the same time?
Right- you need to apply to remove the conditions on your green card first. You can do that starting 90 days before the 2nd anniversary of getting your green card - the green card expiry date. You need to be a permanent resident for 3 years before you can apply for naturalization as the spouse of a US citizen. There is also a window that opens up 90 days before your third anniversary. If you have not received your 10 year green card by the time you become eligible for citizenship you can file anyway - you don't need to wait for the 10 year green card if you meet the 3 year permanent resident requirement but you can't file to remove conditions and become a citizen at the same time.

Many of us have done this whole process without a lawyer. If you read everything over carefully, follow the instructions and ask questions here about the things you are unsure, you should be able to do this without a lawyer as well. It is your choice. Take it one step at a time - the Removal of Conditions first.

And yes, it is a lot of money. sad.gif

Edited by Kathryn41, 28 March 2009 - 10:44 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-28 22:43:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGoing to divorce before removing condition, who should be the plaintiff?
You can file for the Removal of Conditions with a waiver once you are divorced. You do need to include proof that you had a real marriage - the more proof the better, so if you can still gather more evidence try and do that. You should also include tax returns for the years you were together - you can order tax transcripts directly from the IRS. It is up to you to decide if now is the right time to get divorced or not. If there is no chance to reconcile then you may wish to get the divorce underway sooner rather than later as it does need to be finalized before you file to remove conditions.

Good luck to you.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-28 16:02:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionremoving conditions advice needed for tax returns
You can file married, filing separately or married, filing jointly - USCIS isn't going to state you must file jointly if that is not in your best financial interest. You still file as married whether you file jointly or individually and that is what USCIS is looking for. Since you filed individually, include transcripts from both of you as you should both be listed as married, filing separately.

If you filed as a single person rather than married, then you need to remedy that and file correctly both for USCIS and IRS purposes.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-29 16:53:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionfinally!!!
Congratulations.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-27 20:22:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751
I never received an NOA for my Removal of Conditions, but if you don't receive an NOA within 30 days call the 1-800 line and talk with an immigration officer (not the person who answers the call but have your call forwarded to an officer who can give you status update on your case). Generally, you should receive the NOA within a few weeks after its arrival at the CPC and the biometrics within a month after that, although that too can vary.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-26 11:09:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWorried
Sounds to me like you might not have sent enough information that covered the full period of your marriage. Why not send back more bank statements and credit card statements but send samples from each quarter of all the years of your marriage - so you would send at least four bank statements from each year - January, May, August, November, for example. Do the same for your joint credit card accounts and any of the other joint accounts (ie. telephone bills, utility bills, etc..) Send payment proof on the car loan that covers several different months; car registration for more than one year if you have it, insurance payments for more than one year, etc. What you want to do is show that since the AOS was approved you have continued to co-mingle your finances and personal lives. Sending samples from just a small part of your life together doesn't show that you are living together on an ongoing daily basis from the beginning of your marriage until now.

Drown them in evidence, hehehe, and you should be fine. Good luck.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-04-02 14:28:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNo NOA1 - requested duplicate...
Your passport plus your marriage certificate should be sufficient to match your SSN. Your SSN is in your married name, your passport in your maiden name, the marriage certificate ties the two together. Regardless, if you don't have your NOA 3 or 4 weeks before your green card expires, make an Infopass and obtain the I-551 stamp. You will need to carry your stamped passport with you after your green card expires and you just need to include a copy of your marriage certificate with the passport.

Good luck - I hope the NOA arrives soon.

Edited by Kathryn41, 03 April 2009 - 07:56 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-04-03 19:56:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTip for those traveling outside the Country with extension letter
QUOTE (Gatorfan @ Apr 2 2009, 02:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My wife made an Infopass appointment for the end of the month. Hopefully, there won't be a problem. unsure.gif


I think that is wise under the circumstances. Hopefully everything will be fine and the rest of your process is uneventful.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-04-02 14:43:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTip for those traveling outside the Country with extension letter
You might want to make an InfoPass appointment to check and see if USCIS now has her correctly listed as completing her biometrics. There was a recent VJer who received a denial of her I-751 application because USCIS said she had missed her Biometrics appointment. She hadn't and took her stamped receipt to an an infopass appointment where the Immigration officer literally had to correct the information with the Case Processing Center and reverse the denial. I don't wish to alarm you but based on her airport experience, this may be a case where being pro-active is wise. If the information is correct you have lost nothing, but if it isn't . . . you have a chance to correct it now.

Edited by Kathryn41, 31 March 2009 - 06:21 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-31 18:20:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI know it's too early
No, you don't need to send photographs unless you are living outside of the US (ie on a military base, etc.). You will receive an ASC appointment letter after your NOA (usually about one month after receipt of your application) to go and do biometrics - fingerprints and photograph. Good luck.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-22 10:49:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 Getting Package ready
Your information looks very similar to mine and because you are also doing 4 years as we did you have a lot of documents. I put it into a box - one of the priority post boxes from USPS - and it fit perfectly (364 pages). We also don't have a lease and the mortgage is only in my husband's name but I addressed that issue in the cover letter. I think you have enough other evidence of co-mingling your lives that you won't need to worry about that one. Good luck!
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-26 16:20:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWork and I-751
QUOTE (~krakatoa~ @ Mar 31 2009, 03:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
"Are employers generally satisfied with the letter?"

If I were in your shoes, I'd also inform them ahead of time and see whether they accept the extension letter, some employers are quite understanding. If they do not accept the letter, maybe you can have your passport renewed and get the stamp. By the way, how long does it take to get a Canadian passport renewed (I checked a website and it shows 4 weeks processing time, by mail application).


The recent experience for renewing Canadian passports from within the US is that passports are renewed within 2 weeks if the application is couriered in and there are no problems with the application, ie photograph is correct specs, etc. I don't know if this will remain true, however as there may be a bit of a rush on Canadian passports prior to the final implementation of the WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) on June 1st so I would allow some extra time. Four weeks is probably reasonable.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-31 18:15:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAntandD's I-751 Approved First or Our Baby First? (A funny co-incidence)
Okay, I'm going to go out on a limb and say you will get your 10 year green card first followed very closely by your baby:-). I am thinking you will get your green card in June - no explanation why, just a hunch. Good luck on both!
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-12-09 17:04:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionVSC Transfers to CSC
QUOTE (notscenenough @ Jan 29 2009, 09:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Any confirmation for this? I know I'm being selfish, but hopefully this isnt true (my app is at CSC now).


Posted on AILA you can be pretty sure it is confirmed. This is Document No. 09012774 dated 1/27/09 and entitled "VSC Reports Sending 1-539s, I-751s and I-130s to CSC." AILA is the American Immigration Lawyers' Association and we have received information on internal processing actions like this from AILA before.

Edited by Kathryn41, 29 January 2009 - 10:57 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-01-29 22:57:00