Alien Card

[jennyjoan]

This may be long and drawn out.

My American friend came home to Belfast last Friday and I've just heard from her now and she is deeply upset. She has lost her Alien Card (I don't know any thing about it).

Although she has been living in America she never applied for American citizenship and so she I guess is Irish.

She landed from New York to Heathrow and because of the loss of card has or had to fill in numerous forms. She is staying with her sister and I think from what I can gather she had to fill in a form online for a renewal card. She is supposed to be staying for 6 weeks and I know this will be a blemish and worry on her holiday.

Can anybody tell me if the renewal card will be quick or will she be worried the whole 6 weeks. Thanks for any replies.;

[Buenchico]

I doubt that anyone here will have been in a similar situation (or know someone who has), so it's probably unlikely that anyone can provide you with a definitive answer.

As I read the US government's official advice online though, it appears to me that your friend might need to make an appointment to visit the US Embassy in London, in order to obtain a 'Transportation Boarding foil'. The process itself would seem to only take a few days but, as the document is only valid for 30 days from issue, it's a little too early for her to do it yet:
https://uk.usembassy.gov/lost-or-stolen-green-cards/

If she's not already done so, she should contact the US Consulate in Belfast for guidance:
https://uk.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/belfast/us-citizen-services/

[jennyjoan]

thanks Chris - I had an idea not many people would have come across this problem. She has contacted the Embassy here but all she gets is the answer machine who tells her to fill in a form etc which she has done.

I read a little about it and if I have picked it up correctly - she may have to wait anything between 4-9 months for a replacement.

She is old now and sorta sick (it is 9 years since I have seen her) so don't know what she is like, like on a crutch. The sister she is staying with doesn't enjoy good health either. And the sister here did ironically enough expressed alarm last time I was talking - about the fact that her sister wasn't an American citizen. God knows what will enfold.

[jno]

hm. I once went on a holiday which involved stopping over in LA on the way back. But while I was away I got an email telling me they'd cancelled my Esta. Panic stations. I couldn't reach anyone to speak to - they didn't have a local office, I couldn't ring Washington because they were all away for the weekend.

Monday morning I got another email saying they'd changed their mind, and my Esta was okay.

This isn't the same situation as your friiend. It's just to say the American authorities are completely bananas.

[THECORBYLOON]

I checked on the Homeland Security website for processing times and it's currently seven to thirteen months.

[Buenchico]

The processing times quote above by others are (I think) those for actually replacing a green card. The 'Transportation Boarding foil' is, as I understand it, an emergency travel document (specifically to cover situations such as the one that your friend now finds herself in) and, by its very nature, should be a lot quicker. My first link above explains the process.

[THECORBYLOON]

Yes CHRIS, the period I gave was for replacing the "Green Card" whereas yours is for the document to allow folk to get back to the US.

[calmck]

Has she contacted the airline to see if any one has found it. Also very calmly go through the pockets of the clothes she was wearing and the carry on luggage she had with her. Also the pages of any book. Also contact the airport she arrived at in case she dropped it

[Peter Pedant]

A few posts
I think it is a big deal: lucky it is not you Jenny
easier if she is white but still not a matter of
"oh mercy me I have lost my alien card!"
"Never mind madam here is another one to keep you going"

I put it on a par with loss of a British Passport - - first response of the embassy staff is " good one, they have really sold it"

[jennyjoan]

you're right PP - that it wasn't and isn't me as I have not been on a plane since 2008 and have no intention either.

I do think that since the Alien Card is so important - I would have it enshrined on a lanyard and tied round my throat or neck. I'm sure it is the most important document a traveller would need flying from and to US.

I think Chris' answer re having to go to London to get a quickie would have to happen and she does have a nephew living in Cambridge who would probably help her there. Lordy lordy.

[Redhelen72]

Why doesn’t she contact the American consulate in Belfast for help?

[jennyjoan]

red Helen - see my post - She has contacted the Embassy here but all she gets is the answer machine who tells her to fill in a form etc which she has done.

[Redhelen72]

Sorry I saw your comment about contacting the Embassy and assumed you were talking about London because it’s a consulate here in NI

[Redhelen72]

Here is the emergency numbers
https://uk.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/belfast/emergency-contact-information/

[jennyjoan]

thanks - I think they have contacted all numbers. I now believe that she has photocopies of the card and we all hope that perhaps that may suffice. She did pay over $500 for the privilege. So time will tell.