Temporary green Card and travel

[wizzywigman]

My wife came here on a Fiance Visa Dec 2008 and we were married in Jan 2009. She receive her green card a few months later. It is set to expire Aug 2011. She is planning to travel to her country next year from early July and returning the end of August during which time her green card will have expired.
- If she applies for the permanent green card but has not received it by the time she leave will they give her something temporary to allow a smooth reentry into the US?
-Given that her green card expires 8/2011 when should I apply for the new one and how long does it take and how much does it cost?

[barbarajlw]

My wife came here on a Fiance Visa Dec 2008 and we were married in Jan 2009. She receive her green card a few months later. It is set to expire Aug 2011. She is planning to travel to her country next year from early July and returning the end of August during which time her green card will have expired.
- If she applies for the permanent green card but has not received it by the time she leave will they give her something temporary to allow a smooth reentry into the US?
-Given that her green card expires 8/2011 when should I apply for the new one and how long does it take and how much does it cost?

On reading your question, if your wife's green card(permanent residency) with conditions is about to expire in August then you have to file a I-751 90 days before your second anniversary to have conditions taken off. This is all explained on the AOS instructions as well as if you look at green card on this site. She will also need a re entry permit to allow her to leave and come back to the US . The re entry page gives you all the information about leaving for 1 year or less. Hope this helps. But you do need to do the removal of conditions form beginning of June next year remember 90 days before green card expires.

[nichole]

She will apply for conditions to be removed in May, but not even one day earlier than 90 days before the expiration date on here green card. They send back the whole thing if you file too early. She will immediately get a receipt for the application and an extension letter which makes her current GC valid until they send the new one. So that will be good for travel--2 yr green card with extension letter.

The problem with her trip is there will be a biometrics appointment to attend and the possibility of an interview. Many get the 10 year without interview, but not all.

If you apply in May, the biometrics should be in June. I suggest you read the instructions for the form I-751 and start gathering good evidence of your marriage and co-mingling of finances now. Start making photocopies and filling a folder so when it's time to file, most of your work is done. They want evidence spanning the whole 2+ years of your marriage.