When can I apply to extend my I-797 receipt?

Most things like this should be done within 90 days of expiration.

Generally, within 30 days of expiration.

Since you will be traveling in the summer and not be around for an appointment with USCIS 30 days prior to the expiration of your I-797, you could try to make an InfoPass appointment now and obtain I-551 stamp to extend your status as early as they will allow it. The key here is to make sure that you do extend your conditional resident status due to your pending I-829 application.

Normally between 90 to 120 days before the expiration.

It is advisable you should seek an extension at least between 60 and 90 days before the expiration date. Also, with your current document not expiring until July 28, 2019, you should be okay and you can travel and return into the U.S. without any problem.

Since getting an InfoPass appointment can take time, you can start trying to get an appointment date one to two months prior to expiration to get an extension stamp in your passport at the USCIS district office near you.

You can go to your local USCIS before you leave. The officer there will give you an I-551 stamp on your passport, which usually will be valid for a year.

If you got the 12-month receipt, and it&#39s about to expire, ask for the 18-month receipt. Generally, you can get a travel stamp one month before expiration, but you need an InfoPass appointment, which is now hard to get in some areas.

I would make your InfoPass to extend your evidence of your legal status at least within six months of the expiration date.

Assuming you received an 18-month extension receipt, you may call USCIS customer service when your receipt (or existing extension stamp) is within 30 days of expiration. Otherwise, the customer service is reluctant to schedule InfoPass appointments unless there is an emergency.

Usually they like to do these no sooner than 30 days prior to expiration, but if you show travel plans they may do sooner discretionary.