Traveling Prior To Green Card

[thinair28 0]

Can I travel after the AOS interview or do I have to wait for my green card to arrive??

- thinair

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Your question is somewhat ambiguous, so I'll correct it for translation (red added).

"Can I travel OUTSIDE US and re-enter after the AOS interview or do I have to wait for my plastic green card to arrive??"

You will usually receive a stamp on your passport (I-551) after successful completion--which counts AS a GC for up to one year (should the plastic one not arrive in that time)--so you can travel out immediately after.

I actually travelled to India on I-551 stamp (though my case, it was Consular Processing, Employment-based GC).

[meauxna 15]

Can I travel after the AOS interview or do I have to wait for my green card to arrive??

- thinair

If you are a Permanent Resident, you will need evidence of it. That evidence can be a Green Card, or an I-551 stamp in your passport. If you KNOW you have been approved to that status, but don't have evidence of it, you are taking a chance if you travel.

If you have had your AOS interview but have NOT been approved (pending name checks etc), you are not yet a PR and can travel on your Advance Parole.

Nothing magic necessarily happens at the interview.