Green card renewal questions -- father might not be in US for biometric appt

[ssg10]

Hello,

My father has a green card, since 9 years ago and it is about time for him to renew next year (within 6 months before expires).

He has a business in home country, therefore he always go back and forth US and home country.

Does anyone know once we file for the application to renew, how long will he get notification for biometric and usually what the time buffer is between the letter arrival and biometric appointment? I am just afraid if it is too close, then he will have problems to book flights, etc.

Anybody who has experience in the whole process, please share. Thanks!

[Jackolantern]

Generally the biometrics appointment is about 2-5 weeks after filing the application.

Once the appointment notice is received, he can attempt a walk-in before the official appt. date.

How much time has he been spending outside the US to manage this business? 3 months/year? 6 months? 11 months? If he's spending too much time he might have bigger problems with his green card.

[jessicapotter]

Your dad might be asked to appear for the biometrics within a month or so after filing. As suggested above,your father has the option of taking the fingerprinting before the mentioned date, in case he is traveling at the scheduled date. Which is the office that you have filed in your I-90?

[jessicapotter]

Your dad might be asked to appear for the biometrics within a month or so after filing. As suggested above,your father has the option of taking the fingerprinting before the mentioned date, in case he is traveling at the scheduled date. Which is the office that you have filed in your I-90?

[roto]

Do you mean one month (or 2-5 weeks) from application to getting the letter? Or from application till fingerprinting time?
If it is the latter, then how long does it take from application to getting the letter? Many thanks, and I am in urgent need
because I need time to make plans to travel back, and get a vacation permit from my overseas employer. I appreciate your help a lot!!

[Jackolantern]

Do you mean one month (or 2-5 weeks) from application to getting the letter? Or from application till fingerprinting time?

The FP notice normally arrives at your house 2-5 weeks after the USCIS receives the renewal application. The FP appointment itself might be very short notice (less than a week after you receive the FP notice), or as much as 4 weeks later, although 2-3 weeks is more typical.

[roto]

Thanks a lot!

[roto]

I have two other questions, if you do not mind. You said "Once the appointment notice is received, he can attempt a walk-in before the official appt. date." Do they usually accept or is it risky?

Another possibility: The US embassy told me I could apply for a transportation letter, one for the airlines, and one for the US border. With a transportation letter, do you think
I can pass through the US border and immigration officers
with no problem? Will they get me into secondary inspection
with lots of questions, maybe geopardizing my entry or green card? Note that I would still be less than 12 months absent (that is out of the country). Many, many thanks for your help!!! I appreciate it a lot.

[roto]

Does anybody know? With a GC expiring by two months, and a transportation letter from the embassy addressed to the US border, do I usually expect some trouble once I arrive at the US border? Like secondary inspection, lots of questions, possibly denial, etc? Many thanks!

[Jackolantern]

The embassy is where they're likely to exercise heavy scrutiny before issuing the transportation letter. But after you get the letter, usually there is no problem at the port of entry.

I have two other questions, if you do not mind. You said "Once the appointment notice is received, he can attempt a walk-in before the official appt. date." Do they usually accept or is it risky?

Usually walk-ins are accepted if they're not busy at the time. Don't call ahead; show up and they'll decide in the moment whether to accept or not. Don't mention anything about the appointment date being different, just hand over the biometrics notice and act as if nothing is wrong. Then if they make an issue of the date difference one can explain the situation of having to travel again soon.