I-751 & I-551 Stamping Experience in NYC

[samira_jung]

Folks,

Just wanted to share my experience w/ you all !!

Filed I-751 in June 2002

Got NOA on June 10, 2002 extending GC

Havent heard anything since then......

So called the Vermont Service Center - they said that they are 18 mo behind in processing I-751....and that I shd go to 26 Federal Plaza (INS Office in NYC - room 3-120) to get an I-551 stamp to extend my GC for another yr.

So yesterday my adventure started. I reached Fed Plaza at 4 am (yes folks ...u read that correctly......if you reach there any later than 6.....u WILL be TOO LATE.....AND I AM NOT EXAGERATING.....I am totally serious) !! I-551 stamping only occurs from 7:30 to 11 am....so if you dont think that you can get into the office by 10:30am....you might as well go home.

The line for the non-appointment holders was already about 1 mile long. Anyways wished for the best and ran to get into line.

7:30am the doors open......they allow 20 ppl in at a time !! So i got in about 9:30 am. After the security check through the door...you are sent to the 3rd floor room 120 (where there is another long line - had to wait here about 1/2 hr). THis is a triage center - where they either give you a no or tell you where to go. I was then sent to 8th floor, room 100. Of course ...here too I was in yet ANOTHER LOOONG LINE. Waited about 1/2 hr till I got to the window.

The lady at the window asked me what i wanted.....I explained that my I-751 has been filed and my one yr extension of GC is expiring. She took the NOC and my passport....and asked me wait till my name was called.

This time i waited about 1 hr.....I wanted to go the bathroom....but I didnt budge from my chair, as I knew that if my name gets called and I am not around....i dont know what they would do.

When my name got called, I went to the window......they showed me that they had stamped my passport and extended my GC for another year, and returned my NOC.

And there my saga ended......I WAS SO HAPPY .....all the waiting was WORTHWHILE !

Now my wait for my PERMANENT GC continues !!

I just hope ...that this info is useful for you guys !! Best of luck folks......