Traveling after interview but before green card received

[Kiki&me 0]

Hi, my wife's AOS interview in California is scheduled 5 days before we plan on traveling out of the country. Assuming she gets approved at the interview, can she travel before she gets the green card in the mail? She has a valid multiple entry K3 visa that does not expire for another year. I also heard you can get a I-551 stamp in your passport if you want to travel while your green card is in production. Would we even require that given we have a valid K3 visa? If yes, than how easy is it to get this stamp?

Thanks

[payxibka 10,045]

If your status has been approved to that of permanent resident then the K-3 is no longer valid... I would request the "stamp"

[HWANG0926 0]

AFTER her AOS interview, you can go to INFOPASS and obtain a temporary travel pass. Just bring your trip itinerary with you.

My hubby passed his AOS interview and we were handed a piece of paper, basically a temporary paper stating that he is now a permanent resident of the U.S.

[visacheck 3]

Sometimes the immigration officer puts a stamp on the passport right after passing the interview or sometimes they ask if you want a stamp on your passport. If the officer does not put a stamp or ask if you want one, request for one.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

If you have the stamp, it is accepted for re-entry into US just like the plastic GC.

Unfortunately, it may NOT be accepted for transit in some airports.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=137446

[visacheck 3]

If you have the stamp, it is accepted for re-entry into US just like the plastic GC.

Unfortunately, it may NOT be accepted for transit in some airports.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=137446

I-551 stamp is not a visa, it is like the temporary GC. Even if you have the Actual greencard, you would still need a transit visa if the country requires it.

Correct me if im wrong.

[Kiki&me 0]

Thanks everyone for the responses! I don't really care about transit issues right now. A few more follow-up questions on the original issue:

1) Assuming you do get approved after the interview, how easy is it to get an I-551 stamp? Do they just give it to you at the Infopass appointment as a courtesy if asked or do you need to demonstrate a family or personal emergency for them to give it to you? I'm afraid they won't give it unless we demonstrate a dire need - we are just going on vacation for a month.

2) Finally, what if we knew we were approved and left the country without waiting for the GC or the I-551 stamp? I could always have a family member check our mail for when the GC arrives and send it to us wherever we are. Would we be violating any law if we left the country without it but entered back with a GC?

Edited October 21, 2009 by Kiki&me

[sasaqlain 24]

I wasn't approved right away. I am in the same situation as yours and about to travel out of the US in a few days. I scheduled an infopass and showed them my Itenirary. Requested them to stamp my passport with an I-551. They simply took my passport and stamped it. I did have an AP but it was void the day my AOS got approved and I couldn't use it. During AOS interview, if you are approved right away, they'll ask you if you have any plans on traveling and will stamp your passport, otherwise you can always go back and request for one. If I am not mistaken, you CANNOT send passports and LPR cards through mail. Might get in trouble. And you cannot use your K-3 visa anymore since its no longer valid.