Lost/expiring I-797

[Koda56]

8/14 - received green card based on marriage
5/16 - filed for removal of condition
8/16 - 2 year green card expired (notice of action serves as one year extension

And here's my problem,I lost notice of action letter I-797. I'm hoping my employer has a copy on file (please someone tell me there required to have one!).

Now what do I do? Applying for a copy costs $465 (form I-824) and has a 6 month processing time, which takes us to July/August 2017, which is when the notice expires. So i would spend $465 to get a notice that would expire immediately.

Can I get a stamp I-551 at infopass worhout the original I-797? With a copy? Without I-797 at all? Or do they only issue I-551s after the 1 year extension is up?

What do i do if I have to travel? No plans but if I have to leave what do I bring? Copy of I-797 (which I hope I can get from my employer. I-551 alone I know would not be enough to re-enter.

Second curve ball - if I apply for naturalization (eligible to apply 5/17), would that notice I-797 supersede the other I-797 and I can use that to travel?

For what it's worth, i'm from a non-black listed US-friendly Central European country whose citizens can travel under ESTA.


Thank you for any help!!

[newacct]

Can I get a stamp I-551 at infopass worhout the original I-797? With a copy? Without I-797 at all? Or do they only issue I-551s after the 1 year extension is up?

Yes, you should be able to apply for an I-551 stamp if you lost your extension letter.

Second curve ball - if I apply for naturalization (eligible to apply 5/17), would that notice I-797 supersede the other I-797 and I can use that to travel?

no

[Koda56]

Thank you! So they won't give me a hard time for losing the I-797 and would the I-551 be enough to travel/re-enter? No trips planned but my parents age both older and if they were to fall ill I want to be able to leave on short notice (and obviously come back).

Also, I-551, is that sufficient to show work authorization for a new job (no career changes planned but just in case I get a good offer before my 10 year card arrives).

[newacct]

Thank you! So they won't give me a hard time for losing the I-797 and would the I-551 be enough to travel/re-enter? No trips planned but my parents age both older and if they were to fall ill I want to be able to leave on short notice (and obviously come back).

People lose things all the time.

Also, I-551, is that sufficient to show work authorization for a new job (no career changes planned but just in case I get a good offer before my 10 year card arrives).

Yes, an I-551 stamp in a passport is a List A document for I-9. The extension letter you lost plus your expired green card was also a List C document before you lost it, but not all employers are aware of this. Instead of dealing with all that though, you actually don't need a green card for I-9 at all -- you can use your unrestricted Social Security card (permanent residents are entitled to a Social Security card without restriction text; if you had a Social Security card from before you got permanent residency that has a restriction text, you can go update it at any time), which is a List C document, along with an ID like a driver's license or passport which is a List B document. Employers are very familiar with this, and Social Security cards don't expire, so you don't have that problem.

[Nandita Sharma]

Similar situation. You can get I 551 stamped at Infopass. Even without the copy.