Is I-131 necessary if I don't intent to travel outside of US?

[jodette 0]

Hi VJ Members B) Once again I have a question. Hope that you could help me out with my small question. I am currently filling out forms for my adjustment of status and I came across the form I-131. My question is, Do I have to submit form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) if I don't intend to travel outside of US during my AOS process? Your answers will be of great help. Thanks in advance

God bless everyone

[payxibka 10,045]

unplanned emergency?

[raymaga 25]

AP is included in the fee for AOS, so you may as well apply for it. You never know if something unexpected might come up that will require you to return to your home country.

[jodette 0]

AP is included in the fee for AOS, so you may as well apply for it. You never know if something unexpected might come up that will require you to return to your home country.

Thanks for the info. However, the form I-131 part 3 is asking for an intended date of departure and expected length of trip. I do not have any intended date of departure, should I just put any future date? Thanks...

[Dakine 26]

AP is included in the fee for AOS, so you may as well apply for it. You never know if something unexpected might come up that will require you to return to your home country.

Thanks for the info. However, the form I-131 part 3 is asking for an intended date of departure and expected length of trip. I do not have any intended date of departure, should I just put any future date? Thanks...

Not known at this time.

Be sure you apply as I've seen LOTS that didn't and come on VJ crying they have to go because of a emergency and can't go.

[dale_trisha 3]

Dont you have a K3 visa. The AP is not needed. It is for a K1.

[payxibka 10,045]

Dont you have a K3 visa. The AP is not needed. It is for a K1.

excellent catch... no AP needed until the K-3 has expired

(FWIW, it is used for more than a K-1)

[Cino 5]

ACTUALLY NOBODY IS USING I-131 (AP), SO WHY DO YOU BOTHER TO FILE?

I KNOW IT IS FREE WHEN FILED WITH 485. BUT SAVE PAPER WORK, TIME & TREES.

ANYWAY, I WOULDN'T ADVISE YOU TO TRAVEL WITH AP WHEN YOUR AOS IS PENDING.

THAT CAN BE RISKY. LOOK AT MY SITUATION. GOOD LUCK !....

HERE IS MY TIMELINE :

I-130 mailed 01/13/09

I-130 received by USCIS 01/16/09

NOA1 Mail for I-130 received 01/22/09

I-485 Package mailed 02/17/09

I-485 Package received by USCIS 02/20/09

NOA1 Mail for I-485 & I-765 received 02/26/09

NOA2 e-mail for I-130 Approval 03/03/09 (47 Days)

NOA2 Hard Copy of I-130 Approval received 03/07/09

Biometrics App. Mail Notice received 03/09/09 (App. Date 03/24/09)

NOTE : I DID NOT APPLY FOR I-131 (AP).

[anitacastillo 0]

ACTUALLY NOBODY IS USING I-131 (AP), SO WHY DO YOU BOTHER TO FILE?

I KNOW IT IS FREE WHEN FILED WITH 485. BUT SAVE PAPER WORK, TIME & TREES.

ANYWAY, I WOULDN'T ADVISE YOU TO TRAVEL WITH AP WHEN YOUR AOS IS PENDING.

THAT CAN BE RISKY. LOOK AT MY SITUATION. GOOD LUCK !....

HERE IS MY TIMELINE :

I-130 mailed 01/13/09

I-130 received by USCIS 01/16/09

NOA1 Mail for I-130 received 01/22/09

I-485 Package mailed 02/17/09

I-485 Package received by USCIS 02/20/09

NOA1 Mail for I-485 & I-765 received 02/26/09

NOA2 e-mail for I-130 Approval 03/03/09 (47 Days)

NOA2 Hard Copy of I-130 Approval received 03/07/09

Biometrics App. Mail Notice received 03/09/09 (App. Date 03/24/09)

NOTE : I DID NOT APPLY FOR I-131 (AP).

What is the risk of traveling with AP while waiting on AOS?

Mr/Ms Cino - I do not know your situation. However, if you find out tomorrow a family member in Turkey is very sick and you want to visit --- you would have a problem since you did not apply for AP.

To OP - we applied for all together - only costs you more passport photos. And although we didn't need to use the AP, it was nice to have. There is no guarantee that AOS will be done in 6/9/12 months.

[Cino 5]

I agree but there is not much time difference between AP & GC anyway.

In my case, I wouldn't travel with AP anyway, because I have overstayed.

If I leave this country today & try to enter with AP, I will have 10-year bar.

I meant to say the majority of the people haven't used it, if you want to use it,

that is fine with me. Btw, it is Mr. CINO.

GOOD LUCK !.......

[payxibka 10,045]

I agree but there is not much time difference between AP & GC anyway.

In my case, I wouldn't travel with AP anyway, because I have overstayed.

If I leave this country today & try to enter with AP, I will have 10-year bar.

I meant to say the majority of the people haven't used it, if you want to use it,

that is fine with me. Btw, it is Mr. CINO.

GOOD LUCK !.......

there are plenty of individuals on this board alone who have used AP... you are a special circumstance and AP would not have helped you had you travelled..

In the end, the OP is K-3... NO AP required if the K-3 visa remains valid.....

[Slightly Bonkers 0]

Mr. Cino: You have a very good reason not to use AP. But a lot of people here on VJ, those that arrived on K1 visas, applied for AOS in a timely manner, are completely entitled to leave the US and return using AP, with no (or extremely little) risk.

If you say things like

"ANYWAY, I WOULDN'T ADVISE YOU TO TRAVEL WITH AP WHEN YOUR AOS IS PENDING.

THAT CAN BE RISKY."

You should be sure to explain yourself fully, so that new users aren't confused.

Edited March 16, 2009 by Slightly Bonkers

[jodette 0]

Wow! I was surprised with all the answers and comments here:) I didn't know AP can be such a huge thing (maybe/maybe not). Anyway, thanks so much for your answers, they are truly helpful. I came here in the US on K-3 visa, so then I do not need to submit I-131 since K-3 visas aer allowed to go back to home country during AOS process...

Thanks a lot and God bless you everyone:)

[jodette 0]

Dont you have a K3 visa. The AP is not needed. It is for a K1.

Hi dale_trisha:) Thanks for your answer... I think I read about that info somewhere and i forgot what document. Can you tell me what document that says that K3 visa does not need AP? Thank you so much in advance:)

[Cino 5]

Mrs. Bonkers

You are right, maybe I didn't explain myself in details. Like you said,

Newcomers would misunderstand the situation. I have used AP before, like long time

ago, the airline carrier couldn't understand what it means, they are looking for a visa or GC.

They do not even understand I-551 Stamp. From US point of view, everything is fine, no problem.

The problem is abroad, that is why, I said it is risky based on my experience. Maybe your experience

might be opposite. If you ask me, I would not travel abroad with I-551 Stamp either.

GOOD LUCK !....