Immigration Forum / USA Marriage Base / August 2009

I don't have current information about the current processing time.
However recent news from the USCIS said that card production has been
delayed. You may want to keep a copy of the approval notice on hand and
also look at this information from the web site of Murthy Law:

"Green Card" or I-551 Card Production Delays
Posted Jun 05, 2009

The USCIS issued a May 29, 2009 announcement regarding delays in
preparation of permanent resident cards (commonly referred to as "green
cards") following approval. These delays in production of Form I-551 of
up to eight weeks are temporary, as they are the result of an equipment
upgrade that is in process. This does not impact processing times for
any cases or forms. It only temporarily affects the length of time it
currently is taking to receive the plastic green card as proof of
permanent resident status, following approval of one's application for
adjustment of status (I-485).

Request I-551 Stamp

One who obtains approval of the I-485 after a personal interview at the
local USCIS field office should be given an I-551 stamp in the
passport. This stamp is temporary evidence of I-551 (permanent
residency, commonly referred to as "green card") status and is valid
for work and travel. Thus, an I-485 applicant should carry the passport
to his/her interview. The instructions indicate that anyone without a
passport will need to bring a passport-style photo and a
government-issued photo identification to obtain the I-551 stamp.

Individuals who obtain the I-485 approval through the USCIS without
interviews, as occurs in many employment-based cases, can request the
I-551 stamp at the local USCIS office, if required. It is necessary to
make an Infopass appointment for this purpose. The appointment can be
made by visiting the USCIS WebSite.

Conclusion

In prior years, obtaining the I-551 stamp was standard procedure, as
green card production often took many months. The need to do so, yet
again, appears to be a temporary inconvenience. There is no fee
involved in requesting an Infopass appointment or I-551 stamp, although
any time needed away from work may be inconvenient or difficult for
some. We at the Murthy Law Firm appreciate the information provided by
the USCIS regarding these anticipated delays, so that our readers can
plan accordingly and not be alarmed by a delay in obtaining the
physical card.

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another bob (not a lawyer)