approved green card application but still didnt recieve the pruduct

[cutepoison]

hii i m a permanent recidence since jan 10 2011 after approval notice..but i still didnt recieve the document..in that case how can i travel outside of states for 2 mounths without having actuall green card with me ? is the aproval notice enough for re entry or what i should do please help ? i m runnig out of time..i have to go and see my relatives back in my hometown..

[mickey_mouse]

Your "Welcome notice" includes the following paragraph:

"Please call us at (800) 375-5283 [...] or if you don't receive your card within three weeks"

You should have called - about 6 months ago . . .

Try to call them now - have your A# and the I485 receipt # ready. It's been so long, you will probably need to file an I-90 (you probably won't have to pay the filing fee, as you never got the card) and wait for a new card to be mailed to you.

The USCIS processing time for an I-90 (for Texas Service Center) is right now approx. 45 days.

And no, you can NOT travel with the approval notice alone. If you do have an unexpired AP, you can use that to board a plane back to the US - but the CBP officer will expect to see a GC, not an AP - and while you will be allowed re-entry, you will be assessed a fine (don't remember the amount right now).

If you don't have an AP document, then your only chance would be to travel & on destination, request a transportation letter from the local US embassy - you will also need to file on the spot an I-90 and an I-193, and pay the required fees.

Bottom line: call the USCIS. Get your I-551 before leaving the country.

[cutepoison]

thank you for help mickey mouse

u were so helpfull..i had an appointment from local office today and the reason why i still didnt recieve the card was because of the biometrics was taken..there was two diffrent codes on biometrics first one for backround check and the other one for pic that they use for actuall card..by the time when they gave me the appointment for biometrics by mistake they gave me the code 1 which i wasnt suppose to do..thats why i been waiting..and the officer told me that even i can do the fingerprint again after i come from trip..and they stamped i-551 on my passport..and she told me with that i will be able to re entry to states without a problem..i wanted to share it here ..i believe it might be helpfull for someone else...so i guess i m all set for now,am i ?

[mickey_mouse]

so i guess i m all set for now,am i ?

Thanks for taking the time to share the outcome - it will certainly help other people looking for help.

Yes, generally speaking, you're set. Please note that the I-551 stamp on your passport has an expiration date - I assume your biometrics appointment has been scheduled for soon after you come back. Do fulfill the biometrics requirement, and get your actual, physical green card as soon as you come back.

It would also be a good idea for you to familiarize yourself with the requirements to maintain your LPR status - including travel outside the country, reentry permits and such.

Good luck !