Traveling while on K-1 question

[Gage 2]

I'm hoping someone can clarify my confusion over traveling out of the U.S. when someone enters on a K-1 and my fiancee's concerns. My understanding is that once she enters on K-1 (but before AOS), she cannot leave and return to the United States without first having a travel permit. Is this a correct understanding? Does anyone know how cumbersome this travel permit is and how long it takes? I think she is having a concern about what happens if she has an emergency and needs to return to Russia immediately (like illness or death in the family). She's worried that she might not be able to go home quickly if she has to wait for a travel permit so she can re-enter the United States.

[Krikit 1,164]

A very valid concern because, yes, she will have to apply for AOS and receive either her Advance Parole or her greencard in order to return to the US if she leaves the country. There are provisions for emergency advance parole but, depending on the office and the officer, it is problematic in obtaining.

The average wait to receive AP is 3 months.

[payxibka 10,045]

I'm hoping someone can clarify my confusion over traveling out of the U.S. when someone enters on a K-1 and my fiancee's concerns. My understanding is that once she enters on K-1 (but before AOS), she cannot leave and return to the United States without first having a travel permit. Is this a correct understanding? Does anyone know how cumbersome this travel permit is and how long it takes? I think she is having a concern about what happens if she has an emergency and needs to return to Russia immediately (like illness or death in the family). She's worried that she might not be able to go home quickly if she has to wait for a travel permit so she can re-enter the United States.

AOS must be applied for or there is no travel permit (advance parole).... AOS cannot be applied for until after the marriage has occured. You will submit an I-131 concurrently or after the AOS application (I-485)... typical time is 60-90 days.... If in the interim (afer AOS application but before approval of the I-131), some local USCIS offices will grant "emergency" advance parole.....