AmyAndDoug

OH, is that why I'm not getting any status updates either! the VSC says 6 months processing time and our last update says case received on 11/29. Should I expect to receive my 10-yr GC by the end of May? (biometrics already done in early Jan.) So anxious... =(

I got the I-551 stamp in my passport but was still questioned multiple times while exiting China and reentering the U.S. I was sent to an office for questions when arriving at the JFK airport yesterday. The officer wanted to take my expired green card away and I didn't let him. I told him that I have to return my old green card when I receive my new green card (not that it has to be true, but it did stop him from taking my old card). So make sure they don't take your card away before you get your new green card, cuz then you might not be able to travel again before receiving your new card. I still brought both my old card and the extension letter with me in addition to the passport stamp.

I'm sure they can put a clause in the law to make an exception for US citizens born in China if they want. Don't think US would allow dual citizenship with every country. Anyways, the fact is that President Hu brought it up during his most recent visit to the White House. Hopefully they'll work it out in the near future. I don't understand what China would be pushing the US to do. It's article 9 of the Nationality Law of the PRC that states Chinese who obtain foreign nationality lose Chinese nationality. It has nothing to do with US law or Obama.

I heard that during the most recent visit of President Hu to the White House, he brought up the issue of dual-citizenship to Obama. It seems that it's the U.S. who's unwilling due to fear of losing Chinese American talents. Let's hope that China will push further and harder, then maybe Obama will give in.

OK, thanks!

Time as a resident in a USCIS district means you must live in the USCIS district or State in which you're applying for at least 3 months before applying. "A district is a geographical area defined by USCIS and served by one of the USCIS district offices. Students may apply for naturalization either where they go to school or where their family lives." That sounds like a matter of field office, not the time immediately before you apply. no? I'll live in NY state for 6 months this year before I travel to China. That should qualify to apply in NY, right? Also, I'll have 18 months for the past 3 yrs of PR.

Hi, does anyone know whether I need to be residing in the US when I apply for citizenship? I got my green card on 1/6/09 and have been residing in the US ever since. This is my 3rd yr and I need to continuously reside in the US until 7/6/11 to fulfill the 6 months/year requirement. And I should be able to apply for citizenship this October. The thing is, my husband and I are planning to move back to China this summer. I'm wondering if I can leave the US after 7/6 and apply for citizenship while I'm in China this Oct. Will that be a problem that I'm not in the country during my application? I mean, I can come back for the biometrics and interview appointments. But will they give me trouble for not being here for the rest of the time? Thanks in advance for the help!

Thanks, dnoblett! How do I make an info pass appointment to my field office? Is there a website I can read up on it?

Hi all, I'm wondering how long it generally takes from the I-751 application to the receipt of 10-yr green card. We had just mailed out my I-751 application last week and the check was cashed this week. I'm hoping to get the receipt notice soon. However, I need to travel back to China for an emergency in mid January. And I'm not sure what to do since my 2-yr green card expires on Jan. 6, 2011. Will I be able to come back to the U.S. still? Please share similar experiences. Thanks a lot and happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks, Roger~ 1 year can make such a difference. I wish the best to you and your family as well! =)

haha yes, Got my green card in Jan! 2.5 months before our 2-yr anniversary. Oh well, we want to travel asap. Looks like you still time everything very well.

Big Roger, what took you so long?

some accounting classes in a local/community college would really help. not only helping in her computer skills, but also learning accounting terms in English and interact with classmates in English. It will help boost her confidence A LOT. And these courses/certificate looks GREAT on the resume. She'll have many stories to tell during an interview then. =)

I was just checking the same thing last week. It should be easier to get approval, but you do need to go through the same process of application.

Thats strange cuz our 2 year GC was from the date we enter the States "POE". Yeap I just check it again, from the date that we enter SF aka "POE" ... but maybe CR1 is a tad different? I just checked again too, it's the date of the AOS interview. I came in with a K3 visa. maybe that's why? =\

ah i see... that's quite strange, no? the date on my 2 yr GC was the day of the interview. But I think it's better to be able to remove conditions earlier. =)

Hi amerchin, I'm confused that you filed for I-751 around 6 months before the 2-yr expiration. I thought earlier than 3 months isn't allowed? @_@

Thank you, Randy~ You were definitely one of the most helpful.

Hi, I just want to thank you all for being so helpful (way more helpful than my lawyer!) along the way. I gave the "do not open" package to the GC interviewer today. and I'M GLAD I DID. She's like "you're supposed to give this to the POE people!" I explained that I tried to give it to them but they told me to keep it for the GC interview. She just shook her head and said "they're so lazy, they were supposed to take this..." and spent some time putting everything into my file. Everything went well. she didn't ask a word about financial, just about how we met, where we married, parents attending wedding, and evident of living together in the u.s. Got the stamp in the passport, she took away my EAD card since the stamp states work authorization. The interview finished at 9am. I just checked my email at 5pm, got an email update for card production ordered already! =D

Hi big Roger, long time no heard! Looks like everything's going well with you and your new family. =) I got my green card approved at the interview today, got the stamp in the passport, and just got an email case update saying card production ordered already! =D

Congrats! We're having my green card interview next Tues, 1/6. Hoping for a nice new year present too! =)

OK. They already ripped my original certified marriage certificate apart though, into ugly loose pages. Should I ask for it back? I think they required original copy at the visa interview and kept it for that reason. Will I need the original in the future for anything or just the photocopy is sufficient?

yes, I will bring the folder. But should I not mention it if no one asks? =P

I came in with K3, so that's I-129F. I have posted here before regarding that folder. I think the POE office made a mistake and didn't take my file. Some people in the forum have suggested that we call my POE and return the file. But my husband decided to just keep quiet about it until someone says something. So far we got to the AOS interview without any question. So we'll continue to keep quiet, unless the AOS interviewer raises any question. =P and if nothing happens, after I get my citizenship, I'll finally open that file and get my original certified marriage certificate out.

1). I assume all my files (including my original certified marriage certificate) are in that "DO NOT OPEN" folder GZ consulate gave me to give to POE. However, the POE officer told me to keep that folder for GC interview. so I still have it UNOPENED, and will bring it to the interview. No problem, right? 2). They changed the rules for K-3, so I had a civil surgeon here redo my medical exam and mailed the sealed envelope (including the vacc. supplement) along with my I-485 application. So, I do not have to bring anything this time, right? Thanks Randy!