Going to India, can I book ticket now?

[Nishi 0]

My wife has her interview for Green Card on 02/11/2010, she will be going to India in December. I wanted to see if it would be ok to book her tickets now. Moreover when will she get her Green Card in hand?

Thanks

[marriedtomrg 141]

Did your wife file for Advanced Parole (AP) and Employment Authorization Document (EAD)at the same time as her adjustment of status? They are not reflected in her timeline.

She can exit the U.S., but will not be able to re-enter the U.S. without Advanced Parole since her green card is still in process. She needs AP to ensure she can return to the U.S. or else her adjustment of status application will be considered abandoned.

If you have AP in process, however, I would only recommend you purchase her ticket when AP is at hand.

My wife has her interview for Green Card on 02/11/2010, she will be going to India in December. I wanted to see if it would be ok to book her tickets now. Moreover when will she get her Green Card in hand?

Thanks

Edited October 2, 2010 by marriedtomrg

[mathranik 2]

AFAIK, she should be OK to travel, if she is approved at the time of interview - of course, I presume you have posted the date in dd/mm/yyyy format. Usually, if approved, they will stamp it on her passport that she can travel out and back to US (before she gets her green card in mail, that usually takes 10-15 days at the max).

But yeah, more advice won't hurt.

[marriedtomrg 141]

Except her interview is in February 2011, and the wife is planning to travel to India in December 2010...won't she need AP?

AFAIK, she should be OK to travel, if she is approved at the time of interview - of course, I presume you have posted the date in dd/mm/yyyy format. Usually, if approved, they will stamp it on her passport that she can travel out and back to US (before she gets her green card in mail, that usually takes 10-15 days at the max).

But yeah, more advice won't hurt.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Except her interview is in February 2011, and the wife is planning to travel to India in December 2010...won't she need AP?

We're assuming that's 2nd November, not 11th Feb because otherwise the appointment would have been MONTHS ago.

OP if you're approved it should take around 2 weeks to get the card. At your interview you should show your travel itinerary to show you have a flight and ask for an I-551 stamp. If you're RFE'd at the interview then who knows how long it'll take to get the GC.

Worst case scenario, she should take the AP document with her when she leaves if she hasn't received the GC. It's always risky business to book the flight before approval but given the 2nd Nov date, I would hope you'll be right to book mid-December... can't confirm that though, luck of the draw.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Usually, if approved, they will stamp it on her passport that she can travel out and back to US (before she gets her green card in mail, that usually takes 10-15 days at the max).

They seem to be stopping giving the I-551 stamp at the interview. More and more people are saying that they were told they will receive a response in the mail and aren't told whether they're approved or not. Some are told they're approved but told the I-551 stamp isn't given out anymore.

If the OP IS approved then the best chance of getting the stamp would be to take the travel itinerary to show a flight is booked.

[mathranik 2]

Except her interview is in February 2011, and the wife is planning to travel to India in December 2010...won't she need AP?

As I mentioned in my reply, he has posted the interview date as DD/MM/YYYY, which implies her interview in in November 2010. I was confused myself, by the first look of the OP's query!

They seem to be stopping giving the I-551 stamp at the interview. More and more people are saying that they were told they will receive a response in the mail and aren't told whether they're approved or not. Some are told they're approved but told the I-551 stamp isn't given out anymore.

If the OP IS approved then the best chance of getting the stamp would be to take the travel itinerary to show a flight is booked.

Oh, whack! I was counting on them giving the I-551 stamp myself, with my interview coming up on the 4th of November! Well, I guess if they take my I-94 and EAD back, it would imply I am approved. Guess I am thinking a bit too far...