Congratulations! Your request for the removal of the conditional basis of your permanent resident status has been approved. You are deemed to be a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States as of the date of your original admission or adjustment of status.

The paper goes on to say a new Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551 (green card) will be issued within 60 days. In fact, Kristien has already received it. The process has moved forward and concluded faster than we expected – less than one month after mailing our additional evidence. If you haven’t read the previous post enumerating the pile of evidence we sent, then I suggest you scan the list. I’ve encouraged preparedness as a means to completing those demanding government forms, but the payoff in this instance is huge; I get to keep my wife.

In previous posts I’ve mentioned the number of days since starting this process. Just to recap, the petition for Kristien’s immigration visa (I-129F) was sent to the government on February 7, 2005. It has been 1562 days or 4 years, 3 months, and 12 days, from that day to Monday, 5/18/2009, when she received the Permanent Resident Card. We asked each other if it actually felt that long and we both agreed it hasn’t. We’ve continued on with our lives, working, maintaining our home, going on vacations, and generally forgetting the process. Sure, we both thought about the outcome but we didn’t let it control our lives.

Whether Kristien becomes a citizen is her choice to make. It’s the next logical step but it’s not a forgone conclusion. Right now we’re ready to slow down and enjoy life without the paperwork.

To paraphrase the notice:

• “This is to notify you that your application for permanent residence has been approved. It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to permanent resident status in the United States.”
• “We will soon mail you a new Permanent Resident Card. You should receive it within the next 3 weeks. You can use it to show your new status. When you receive your card you must carry it with you at all times if you are 18 or older. It is the law.”
• “Your new card will expire two years from when you became a permanent resident. By law your resident status is conditional, and you must apply to remove those conditions before your card expires. We recommend you apply several months before your card expires.”
• “Once again, welcome to the United States and congratulations on your permanent resident status.”

The notice enumerates about 50 different papers, copies, proof, etc, that we need to bring. Many of the bulky items are things already submitted for previous forms. It says to bring them unless already submitted. They mostly want proof of our relationship: photos, joint accounts, marriage license, and other things.

This looks serious: “If you fail to appear as scheduled, your application will be considered abandoned.” I think we’ll make extra time for commuting.

Received date: February 23, 2005. Notice date: March 14, 2005. A total of 39 days have passed since I mailed the petition packet.