ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionPlease tell me some infomations
Yes, you should be receiving your I-751 approval before a trip in the fall - sometime within the next few months. If, by any chance, you haven't received an approval and you are getting close to the expiry of your extension you would make an Infopass appointment at your local USCIS office and they will put an I-551 stamp in your unexpired passport. The stamp is usually good for a year, although there have been a few cases where the stamps are issued for 6 months and 3 months validity. Hopefully you won't have to worry about that and will receive your approval soon. VSC has been taking about 11 to 12 months to process applications and I expect that will continue for a few months yet. Files from June and on were transferred to California but it looks like May files are still at VSC.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-09 18:08:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionRemoving Conditions
Yes, as long as the green card is still valid when you return you should be fine. The only possible issue I can see occurring is if you receive a biometrics appointment for when you are away. They seem to arrive about a month after the I-751 is received so you should be fine. You might find that the appointment is for while you are away, but if you have the biometrics letter in hand you will probably be able to do a walk-in biometrics before you go. If you haven't received the ASC before you leave you might want to have someone watching your mail and have a way to contact you if the ASC letter does arrive. This person might then be able to re-schedule your biometrics for after your return. You should have no issues, however, with returning as long as the green card is still valid.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-10 16:32:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionVery cool surprise...
Congratulations!
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-09 19:05:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWill blocking credit (e.g. Lifelock) effect the ability for them to remove conditions?
Your credit situation has nothing to do with removal of conditions or immigration. Security checks will be for criminal activity. While USCIS is into our pocketbooks for the fees, their intrusion stops there. They aren't looking at your financial situation. You should have no problems due to credit locking for removal of conditions.

Edited by Kathryn41, 12 March 2009 - 09:28 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-12 21:28:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhat are the letters for CSC cases - WAC?
The case number that is on the back of your check will be the same number that is on your NOA - and it won't work to check online status. It never does. That number is apparently only used for internal purposes. When you receive your ASC biometrics letter you will notice that you have a different case number - that is the number that will be linked to the on-line status updates and that you can use to set up email notification. The Biometrics letter usually arrives about a month after the NOA. So, a little bit more waiting - at least you know they got it alright.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-13 12:43:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionEXPRESS MAIL I-751
Good luck.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-12 20:08:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion2 NOA's
Do they both have the same receipt number? If so, I wouldn't worry.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-13 22:04:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionVSC to CSC-Received NOA,What is I89
We file for a I-751 but it gets processed internally as a CR189. Don't worry - that is perfectly normal. You are still in process for approval of the I-751.

Edited by Kathryn41, 14 March 2009 - 07:49 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-14 19:48:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNotice of Approval
Congratulations. If you have received the green card alright I wouldn't worry too much about the notice of approval. I don't think you require it for anything else (at least, that I am aware of) and it is the green card itself that is important.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-13 12:40:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionEligible for naturalization but I-751 not approved yet. Can I still apply?
Yes. If your I-751 still isn't approved by the time they adjudicate your citizenship application they will be forced to make a decision right then and there. Citizenship forces a decision for an outstanding I-751, so definitely apply if you intend to pursue citizenship. It is a win/win solution.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-16 13:42:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAssembling the package...
I printed the photos on plain paper and inserted them where they supported the matching documentation (ie boarding passes showing visits to family had group photos with family; letters from grandchildren showed pictures with grandchildren, cat's microchip registration documents had photos of us with cats, etc.). I used the photographs to support the documentary evidence.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-16 13:46:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionMy I-751 was denied
I am so sorry to hear this and hope you will be able to get it sorted out. What comes to mind is I wonder as well if they sent you an RFE that you never received and when you didn't respond then they denied the application. If that is the situation you may be able to get them to re-open the file. Definitely contact your Senator's office and ask for their assistance once you find out the reason. Good luck.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-08 19:18:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGREENCARD RECEIVED!!!!! VSC to CSC transfer
Congratulations, Dara.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-16 13:38:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionHow Long?
It seems that most RFE's are coming very close to the end of the process. The applications seem to spend a long time just sitting with no one working on them, then when the file is picked up for adjudication, the adjudicator then notices that there is information missing or decides they want something more.. There are individuals waiting at VSC for 11 or 12 months who get an RFE. When they return the information, their approval usually comes within a week or two later. Very few individuals seem to be selected for an interview. I think in all of the cases I can remember the RFE satisfied the request and the 10 year card was issued quickly.

The few interviews that happen with VJers seem to be for statistical purposes and are very much non-events for the participants. You will probably just receive the green card without an RFE or an interview if you send sufficient evidence. Good luck.

Edited by Kathryn41, 15 March 2009 - 11:21 AM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-15 11:19:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionVSC Approval
Congratulations.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-03-16 19:01:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 Filed and now engaged
First, yes, if you do not receive a decision on your I-751 before the current stamp/NOA expires, you can make an Infopass appointment at your closest USCIS office and get it renewed.

Second, if you withdrew this request for an I-751, you would have to start all over again from the beginning with your new partner sponsoring you with an I-130 as well as the AOS application. If that were approved - and I think you can definitely expect an interview and some hard questions under the circumstances - you would then go back to having another 2 year conditional green card and have to apply to remove conditions from that card.

How good is your documentation for the marriage through which you filed the I-751? If it is sound and you can document the reasons for the divorce in an interview, then I think you would be wisest to continue on this course and just be patient somewhat with your new relationship. Things will be a lot less complicated if you have a 10 year card and have several years towards the now 5 year requirement for citizenship. If you abandoned this action, and went the I-485 route all over again who is to say how long it would take to get the necessary documentation to travel freely outside of the country - an important consideration if you want to travel next year.

If, on the off chance your I-751 is denied, then you still have the option to proceed with the I-130/I-485 with your new husband (when you marry). Just expect that you will have to prove the integrity of both marriages, not just the current one, as you will have several red flags on your file.

I do think, under the circumstances, you could probably benefit from one of the free consultations many lawyers offer - just make sure you find one who is immigration savy and can direct you correctly.

So, I guess, if it were me, I would be more inclined to go after the 'bird in the hand' rather than 'the bird in the bush' when it comes to immigration. Good luck.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-08 16:56:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionHow long does it take?
Your husband is the foreign spouse? His name is the one that will show up on the documentation even though you filed jointly. He is considered the petitioner since he is filing to remove the conditions on his green card, even though it is a joint petition.

The number on the NOA is only for internal USCIS use and won't get you access to your online account. When you receive your biometrics appointment letter -usually within the month - it will have a different case number on it and that one will allow you to check your case status on line. You will be able to set up an email notification account with that number as well.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-09 22:59:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionremove condition with a waiver
Waivers are somewhat different for the removal of conditions. There is a section on the bottom of the form that you check off stating that you are applying jointly or if not jointly, you are requesting a waiver from the joint filing condition because of - a),b ),c), etc. You check off the appropriate reason, the most common one being that the individuals are now divorced so cannot file jointly. This is different than the type of waivers discussed over on immigrate2us. The waiver requested is from the condition of having to file the form jointly - the OP filed singly.

Where did you file your I-751? If it was Virginia (or Texas), then you have a good 11 to 12 months or longer wait. You can check the status list of other VJers who have filed here: http://www.visajourn...h...5&start=915

If you filed in California (or Nebraska), then you are looking at a 4 to 7 month wait. You can check the status of other VJers who have filed here: http://www.visajourn...h...5&start=255

Hope this helps. You are welcome to add your own statistics to the appropriate list as well so your information can help others figure out how much longer they might have to wait as well.

Edited by Kathryn41, 08 November 2008 - 05:10 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-08 17:10:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionpassed my I-751 interview
Wow, they sure took their time in giving you your approval! Congratulations! And good luck on your citizenship exam in a few weeks.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-09 10:44:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionDo I have any chance to get approved in 2008?
I'm in the same boat you are and am thinking it is possible for December, although not really looking for it before February, 2009. We'll see, I guess.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-10 23:36:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionExperience I551 at Boston InfoPass
Actually, it is valid for one year after the green card. The green card was valid until December 2007 - the NOA extends its validity to December 2008. The applicant, however, was travelling and would be out of the country beyond the extension date in December and needed proof of status that extended beyond December. Since you can't have two 'active' green card documents at the same time, they basically superseded the NOA/greencard status by extending the status from 'now' for another year by the stamp. If you hadn't needed the stamp, the green card and NOA status proof would have expired in December as it states. Now that the stamp takes its place, your status expires a year from when you got your stamp.

(For an example, I never received an NOA. I went to get a stamp 2 weeks before my green card expired. My stamp expires one year from the date I got the stamp, not one year from my green card which would have been the case if I had ever received the NOA).
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-12 13:05:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionDo you think this is enough?
The additional material definitely adds to your evidence.

Do you have joint membership cards for anything - Costco? Netflix? something similar? How about a copy of each of your different bank statements showing your individual names and the same mailing addresses so that they show you living together -perhaps 1 from every 6 months for each of you to show you have been at the same address? How about a copy of the change of address form that you may want to file with USPS (if you file one). Have you magazine subscriptions for him delivered to your address or USP packages (maybe from his parents, etc.) addressed to him at your address? Definitely write a cover letter explaining your living circumstances with your parents as well as your reason for not having joint accounts. Definitely include affidavits from friends who verify your marriage. I'm sorry that you are having a tough time with your parents and they won't help you in this matter.

Edited by Kathryn41, 09 November 2008 - 10:14 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-09 22:11:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionDo you think this is enough?
QUOTE (M. @ Nov 9 2008, 06:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've never had a problem with immigration/RFE's so far *knock on wood* but I'm very paranoid about having enough information.

The packet has about 60 pages of evidence, including:

• Copy of green card of my husband, David
• Joint tax returns for 2006 & 2007, as well as our joint economic stimulus rebate information
• Photographs from 2006 to present (5 pages, two photocopies of photos per page)
• Joint cell phone account bill
• Joint medical and dental insurance cards
• Evidence of trips taken together from 2006-present (four trips, with plane tickets, hotel receipts, etc.)
• Cards given to each other from 2007-present (7 total, incl. the card from a bouquet of flowers I received for no reason)
• Cards & mail addressed jointly from friends and family (about twelve of these)
• Proof of my name change from my maiden name to my married name (I hadn't changed my name when we filed the AOS)

Is that enough? We still live with my parents, so we don't pay rent or utilities, though we will be moving on December 1st into our own place.


To be honest, it is a little light. What about joint bank accounts? As well, include copies of any joint accounts bills (ie cell phone) that covers the whole length of your marriage from the earliest days to present rather than just one statement. Do you have any medical bills, ie from an annual check up showing that you have also used the joint medical coverage/dental coverage and showing the same address? Driver's licenses or state ID showing the same address? I would also include a letter from your parents stating that you both live with them at such and such address so do not have rent and utility bills in your own name. It adds another level of evidence while addressing the possible 'red flag' of why there are not those particular documents in your package. If you are moving in December to your own place do you have a lease signed by the both of you or an agreement to lease? Include that as well. Good luck.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-09 19:47:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNo NOA1... InfoPass Online?
Go back to the first page and try one of the other options. You could try option # 4 'Other services" or option # 2 'Have filed but haven't received a green card". In a sense that is what has happened - you haven't received the NOA that extends your green card. I believed that is the option I used when I had to make an infopass. Good luck.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-11 19:33:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion1 year extension letter gonna expires in 1 month! What should I do?
The NOA extension letter extends the status of the green card for one year. For example, if your green card expires in May and you filed for I-751 in February and received the Extension Letter in March, your green card status doesn't expire the following March but expires a year after your green card expires - the following May. If your extended greencard is about to expire or has expired you can obtain proof that you are still a permanent resident by getting the I-551 stamp placed in your unexpired passport, or on an I-94 form that is placed in your expired passport. The I-551 stamp is valid usually for another year, although some offices only extend the status for 6 months. It has an expiry date that is based on the date you get the stamp and not on your green card.

You make an Infopass appointment by going to the www.uscis.gov website, clicking on 'schedule an appointment' on the far right and you can select 'did not receive green card' as a category. There are several options for categories so if you get 'no appointments available' try using a different category. You should be provided with a series of options for dates or at least one date for an infopass. I printed out my confirmation letter but didn't need it. Bring your greencard, your NOA and your unexpired passport. If your passport is expired then bring 2 passport sized photographs and your expired passport. They will check your status using your A number or your case number, stamp your passport with the I-551 stamp, and you are good to go.

My experience was probably the easiest experience I have ever had dealing with USCIS or the Consulates.

Edited by Kathryn41, 02 November 2008 - 11:09 AM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-02 11:08:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionRequest for Evidence... Quick Question... HELP!
No, you don't need to repeat everything you sent in already. Send new stuff that covers the time of the marriage since you sent the first application to now. Also make sure you have evidence that covers the whole time of your marriage; for example, if you only sent in one bank statement, fill in the blanks by sending several from each year. I don't think it will matter too much if you blank out the value amounts - they aren't looking at how much you spend or have, just that you are each using the account. In fact, if something like your mortgage payment comes out of a joint account you might want to leave the amount showing so they see you both have a financial commitment for that amount. Some people have blanked out account numbers as well. I did get a chuckle out of your comment about not expecting them to get that personal - they are so in your face personal about everything up until now that I wouldn't expect anything different at this stage of the game.

Good luck with your RFE and a quick approval.

Edited by Kathryn41, 14 November 2008 - 05:54 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-14 17:54:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI think Im a lil late :(
Your evidence looks good and you got it in in time so you should be fine.

You will receive an NOA letter that will extend the status of your green card for one year. You carry that around with you along with the expired green card and that proves your legal status in the US. If you don't have a Driver's License it would be a good idea to get a State ID card. You never know when you might need photo ID and not want to have to carry your passport with you.

Good luck. I believe your application is filed in Vermont so if so, prepare for a long wait. They are currently processing applications that were submitted in December 2007. (I believe Michigan submits to Vermont- if not and your application was sent to Callifornia you won't have nearly as long a wait).
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-15 00:07:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionunemployment benifit for green card holder
Unemployment insurance benefits are not a means-tested benefit- it is one to which you and your employer have both contributed depending on the wages that you earn. You are allowed to receive UI if you are a green card holder. I do not know if the office checks on the immigration status of applicants since the program is for those who have been employed, and it is the employer's job to verify employment eligibility. You would file exactly the same way a US citizen would file, nothing special required.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-15 17:50:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionInterview for Removal of Conditions
For the majority of I-751 applications, there is no interview. That is not to say that no one is interviewed because they do do random interviews for statistical purposes, as well as interview cases where the evidence is weak or missing or there are issues that raise suspicions about the validity of the marriage. It seems well over 95% of the cases here on VJ are approved without an interview so that is the most likely scenario.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-17 23:00:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion2 biometrics
It could have been that the first set had issues and they needed to redo them. That has happened to others, although their second notice usually states that is the case.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-17 23:03:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionEMail Notification & Online Status
Did you try using the number from his biometrics appointment letter? The NOA case numbers don't work on the USCIS tracking system - I was informed by an immigration officer that they are internal use numbers only. Try inputting the case number from the biometrics - which will be a different number - and that one should work. You can then set up the email notification system tied to that case number as well.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-07 11:02:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionFinally some action!
Good luck on the interview - and yes, 'baby' pictures will really be good evidence. I'm sure you'll be approved after a very short interview. (and congratulations on the baby).
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-20 17:04:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 Approved!
Congratulations! It's about time (VBG!)
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-20 16:59:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionUnemployment and How Affect my Sponsor
You are eligible for Unemployment Insurance. It is based upon the wages you earned. You paid a premium and your employer paid a premium into the program. Now that you are unemployed, you get to draw out from the insurance that you paid into. It is definitely not a means tested benefit and it will have no impact on your sponsor or your removal of conditions. It is an 'employment' insurance program - you participate in the program and you get the benefits from that participation. No worries - except for being unemployed, of course.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-21 11:05:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionUSPS Forwarded, not delivered
Last June, USCIS officially designated that all I-751s be processed in either California or Vermont depending in what state the applicant live. They did say they would forward applications received after June in Texas to Vermont and in Nebraska to California for a while, but there was a definite cut off date for forwarding. Since your tracking shows it was sent to Nebraska and is forwarded it has either been forwarded to California and you should hear soon of its arrival, or it is being returned to you. If you have not heard anything more in another week, have USPS do a trace on the item - they should be able to do that - to make sure it isn't just sitting in an office somewhere.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-21 15:25:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionShould we be worried?
Which service center did your lawyer send your application to? California is moving very quickly; Vermont is moving very slowly. If it was California, yes, I think you should definitely have heard something by now. If it is Vermont . . . . You could always make an infopass appointment if you don't hear something soon. Biometrics notices are usually -but not always - received around a month after submitting the application.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-21 23:49:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTravel
You should be fine with the expired greencard and the NOA extension letter (and passport!). Enjoy your holidays!
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-20 19:19:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionyayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
You can apply for citizenship 90 days prior to the third anniversary of receiving your first green card. Congratulations!
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-21 23:44:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionMailed off my Documents to VSC today
Looks good:-) Good luck.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-20 19:21:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionVSC approved!
Congratulations!
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2008-11-21 11:02:00