On the 16th November 2004 I received a letter from the INS, I was waiting for my green card so I started to get really excited, but I knew it was the Welcome Letter as I had read about it before hand. And it was, as I was reading it I started to get all emotional, the letter is good news; it's my "Creation of Record of Lawful Permanent Residence" - Notice type: "Welcome Notice". This is what it says:

"It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to permanent resident status in the United States.

Your new permanent resident status has been registered. At the top of this notice you will see a very important number. That is your INS A# (A-number). It is your permanent resident account and file number. This permanent resident account number is very important to you. You will need it whenever you contact us.

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.

Please call us at 800-375-5283 if any of the information about you shown above is incorrect, if you move before you receive your card, or if you don't receive your card within the next 3 weeks.

Please read the notice that comes with your card. It will have important information about your card, about your status and responsibilities, and about permanent resident services available to you.

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.

THIS FORM IS NOT A VISA NOR MAY IT BE USED IN PLACE OF A VISA."