Our regular readers are aware that eligible Legal Permanent Residents can apply for a Boarding Foil – formerly known as Transportation Letter, if his/her Green Card (Permanent Resident card I-551) is lost, stolen or damaged while on a temporary visit abroad.

The US Embassy’s website in India indicates that their office accepts walk-ins from Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon Indian Standard Time (except on consular holidays).

From a recent experience, we strongly recommend that eligible applicants obtain an email confirmation from the USCIS field office and carry this confirmation while visiting them. This will avoid potential delays and confusion. It is also noted that in some instances, though the system shows that the applicable fee is paid at the applicant’s end, the same may not reflect at the consular end. Writing to the USCIS office in advance, along with evidence of payment of the applicable fee would ensure that the payment is acknowledged and the email confirmation would facilitate a hassle free entry into the USCIS field office.