Travelling while Adjusting Status

[HalfnHalf 1]

I've filed to adjust my status after coming to the US on a k1 visa and getting married.

Got a phone call tonight that my grandmother is dying.

How can I travel back to Canada and come back across afterwards? I've heard of "Advance Parol"... What is the process and how long does it take? Can I drive to my closest USCIS office (Atlanta) and apply/get approval in person ASAP?

I've read the guides, but can't get an easy answer. Just need some really quick advice please!

[RICARDO4EVA2 195]

I've filed to adjust my status after coming to the US on a k1 visa and getting married.

Got a phone call tonight that my grandmother is dying.

How can I travel back to Canada and come back across afterwards? I've heard of "Advance Parol"... What is the process and how long does it take? Can I drive to my closest USCIS office (Atlanta) and apply/get approval in person ASAP?

I've read the guides, but can't get an easy answer. Just need some really quick advice please!

Sorry to hear about this.. you cannot get an in-person approval... it's a process that includes biometrics etc. It takes 2-3 months to be completed. You can APPLY for it and then go home and the approved AP document can be sent to the consulate of choice.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I've filed to adjust my status after coming to the US on a k1 visa and getting married.

Got a phone call tonight that my grandmother is dying.

How can I travel back to Canada and come back across afterwards? I've heard of "Advance Parol"... What is the process and how long does it take? Can I drive to my closest USCIS office (Atlanta) and apply/get approval in person ASAP?

I've read the guides, but can't get an easy answer. Just need some really quick advice please!

You need to apply for AP by filing the I-131 document. You should have filed it with your AOS but if you didn't you still can. The fee is waived if you send the I-131 document and supporting evidence with the NOA1. Once you get the NOA1 then you call to expedite.

Unfortunately a friend of mine on here had something similar happen. She did the above and still didn't receive it in time (it arrived the day of her loved ones funeral). You will need proof of the dire medical situation. If you want to make an INFOPASS you can of course but I wanted to warn you that while an expedite is possible, i don't know if it would be in time. Leaving without it though means abandoning your AOS and you would need to get a new visa to re-enter (a spousal visa, the Cr-1).

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Sorry to hear about this.. you cannot get an in-person approval... it's a process that includes biometrics etc. It takes 2-3 months to be completed. You can APPLY for it and then go home and the approved AP document can be sent to the consulate of choice.

Just a correction here.. the OP CANNOT leave without the AP document... that only applies to the re-entry permit. Leaving without the AP approved means the OP would not be able to use it. The date of leaving the country cannot be before the AP is approved/dated.

The OP can also apply for an expedite due to emergent circumstances BUT still needs biometrics and will still take roughly 2 weeks to get in hand.

[amykathleen2005 441]

I believe biometrics is only required for EAD and AOS, not AP.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You can try to get emergency AP by making an Infopass at your local office.

[RICARDO4EVA2 195]

Just a correction here.. the OP CANNOT leave without the AP document... that only applies to the re-entry permit (TRUE) Leaving without the AP approved means the OP would not be able to use it. The date of leaving the country cannot be before the AP is approved/dated.

The OP can also apply for an expedite due to emergent circumstances BUT still needs biometrics and will still take roughly 2 weeks to get in hand.

[SophWeb 25]

Sorry to hear about this.. you cannot get an in-person approval... it's a process that includes biometrics etc. It takes 2-3 months to be completed. You can APPLY for it and then go home and the approved AP document can be sent to the consulate of choice.

The OP can also apply for an expedite due to emergent circumstances BUT still needs biometrics and will still take roughly 2 weeks to get in hand.

Your comments regarding the biometrics are incorrect.

An AP can be issued without biometrics. I had my AP expedited without doing biometrics. They just used the photo from my AOS application on the AP document.

Edited March 31, 2011 by SophWeb

[RICARDO4EVA2 195]

Your comments regarding the biometrics are incorrect.

An AP can be issued without biometrics. I had my AP expedited without doing biometrics. They just used the photo from my AOS application on the AP document.

You said the KEY work.. I'm certain Vanessa was speaking on normal processing ..hello - no one mentioned about expediting anything. Also I was already corrected.. so back that up and just move on with it. .. and this is for the people that will follow.. enough of the on going quotes on something that was already addressed.

Thanks,

Ricardo.

[SophWeb 25]

You said the KEY work.. I'm certain Vanessa was speaking on normal processing ..hello - no one mentioned about expediting anything. Also I was already corrected.. so back that up and just move on with it. .. and this is for the people that will follow.. enough of the on going quotes on something that was already addressed.

Thanks,

Ricardo.

Geez. No need to bite my head off.

Actually, Vanessa specifically said "The OP can also apply for an expedite due to emergent circumstances BUT still needs biometrics and will still take roughly 2 weeks to get in hand"

So my point is valid. First, Vanessa did mention expedite and second, the correction still stand as expedited APs do not need biometrics.

Obviously the OP needs to get back home ASAP so an expedite is the way to go. So I was just informing her that she will not be slowed down in the expedite process by having to get her biometrics done.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Geez. No need to bite my head off.

Actually, Vanessa specifically said "The OP can also apply for an expedite due to emergent circumstances BUT still needs biometrics and will still take roughly 2 weeks to get in hand"

So my point is valid. First, Vanessa did mention expedite and second, the correction still stand as expedited APs do not need biometrics.

Obviously the OP needs to get back home ASAP so an expedite is the way to go. So I was just informing her that she will not be slowed down in the expedite process by having to get her biometrics done.

it was already corrected directly after me. I cannot edit my post. I realised after I wrote it that it implied I meant biometrics for the AP when I was referring to biometrics for the AOS/EAD part but someone else clarified that directly after me.. I didn't realsie i was required to update it myself to stop being repeatedly rehashing the same thing.

If she misses the biometrics appointment she can be denied. It's likely she would need to do biometrics before leaving but they aren't required for AP. I didn't check her timeline and I suppose I should have first.

Edited March 31, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[SophWeb 25]

it was already corrected directly after me. I cannot edit my post. I realised after I wrote it that it implied I meant biometrics for the AP when I was referring to biometrics for the AOS/EAD part but someone else clarified that directly after me.. I didn't realsie i was required to update it myself to stop being repeatedly rehashing the same thing.

If she misses the biometrics appointment she can be denied. It's likely she would need to do biometrics before leaving but they aren't required for AP. I didn't check her timeline and I suppose I should have first.

Well at least the OP knows for sure what the facts are now

[HalfnHalf 1]

Wow, thank you everyone! News like this makes you spin.

I'll see what I can do now... You guys are wonderful, thank you for the help.

[HalfnHalf 1]

So to clarify... even an expedited advanced parole will take 2 weeks to process? I had no idea I could have filed this with my AOS package.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It is possible to get an emergency AP approved and printed out in person when you go for an Infopass appointment. Bring copies of your USCIS correspondence and anything you have about your grandmother's illness and hope for the best. BIometrics are not needed for AP, but you still have commitments in the US, like biometrics for the rest of your application, or your interview. You can reschedule these things, but you'll have to keep track of it. Best of luck to you and my deepest sympathies about your grandmother.