AP, travelleing abroad while AOS pending.

[GrayL 47]

Hey folks,

So I'm waiting for my AOS to be completed, it's currently waiting at the CSC.. no biggy!

I have received my EA and AP, so that's the main part.

I wanted to clarify, My EA card I received in the mail states that "This card also acts as I-131 Advance Parole", I'm assuming that this means that I will not receive anything else in my hand for AP proof?

I wanted to just clarify, because I'm planning on taking my wife to Australia for a holiday! How does the whole AP work? Has anyone ever had issues considering their AOS is not complete? I would hate for something to go wrong in the process resulting in either being forced to miss a flight or worse, somehow invalidating my whole AOS process!!!

How does the process exactly work? Do you show the EA card (with the AP statement on it) when you go through customs? Or what other documentation would be wise to take with you?

I just want to make sure, I would HATE for something to go amiss and end in something terrible for our process!

Ideally I wanted to wait until the AOS process was complete with greencard in hand (so not to miss Interview etc), but in reading other peoples timelines my case was transferred in March to the CSC, so I'm figuring I might be waiting quite a few more months for that!

It would be great to hear a testimony from people who have actually done this process (left and returned on an AP!).

Thank you so much

GrayL

Thanks

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yep, you just return with the AP card and your passport. You will get taken to secondary and given a new I-94 with an AP stamp on it. I was told by CBP to take out the I-94 you have now and keep it in case you need to present it for an interview (though if you don't do this it's not the end of the world).

I was scared for my husband to travel on it too, but my fears were unfounded. It was fine.

Edited June 13, 2012 by Harpa Timsah

[GrayL 47]

Yep, you just return with the AP card and your passport. You will get taken to secondary and given a new I-94 with an AP stamp on it. I was told by CBP to take out the I-94 you have now and keep it in case you need to present it for an interview (though if you don't do this it's not the end of the world).

I was scared for my husband to travel on it too, but my fears were unfounded. It was fine.

Okay, few, thank you, so just to double check the AP card IS the same as the EA card which has the sentence "Also acts as I-131 AP Card" (or words to that effect) on it?

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Okay, few, thank you, so just to double check the AP card IS the same as the EA card which has the sentence "Also acts as I-131 AP Card" (or words to that effect) on it?

Yes, the EAD/AP combo card comes with the text "Serves as I-512 Advance Parole" printed on it.

Check this FAQ from USCIS. It even shows a picture at the bottom: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=f5d28bcbf851e210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=6abe6d26d17df110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

[GrayL 47]

Yes, the EAD/AP combo card comes with the text "Serves as I-512 Advance Parole" printed on it.

Check this FAQ from USCIS. It even shows a picture at the bottom: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=f5d28bcbf851e210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=6abe6d26d17df110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

That's perfect, thank you so much! :dance:

[Little_My 464]

My advice as someone who traveled with the AP is to make sure you have a bit of extra time when flying back to the US at the airport where you are departing from in Australia. Most airport/customs/airline personnel are still a bit unfamiliar with the new EAD/AP, and it took me some time to do the check-in and have the airline personnel confirm that AP is a valid document for entering the US. I think it depends on the airline, but I wasn't able to do the check-in online (because the system wants an ESTA number from VWP country citizens, which I obviously did not have because I had the AP..), so I had to do all that at the airport.

Other than that, everything went very smoothly for me. Just make sure someone is checking your mail in case the interview notice comes while you are traveling.

[GrayL 47]

My advice as someone who traveled with the AP is to make sure you have a bit of extra time when flying back to the US at the airport where you are departing from in Australia. Most airport/customs/airline personnel are still a bit unfamiliar with the new EAD/AP, and it took me some time to do the check-in and have the airline personnel confirm that AP is a valid document for entering the US. I think it depends on the airline, but I wasn't able to do the check-in online (because the system wants an ESTA number from VWP country citizens, which I obviously did not have because I had the AP..), so I had to do all that at the airport.

Other than that, everything went very smoothly for me. Just make sure someone is checking your mail in case the interview notice comes while you are traveling.

Ohhh thank you that's a REALLY good point.. I remember when I first traveled here from Australia and applied for my ESTA it CLEARLY stated "You can print this page but it's not required to enter the US".. soooo I didn't, and was almost declined at check-in in Australia because they said "We NEED to know the ESTA number in order to check you in", she wasn't being difficult, just claiming that she needed to put it into the computer, the only reason why I WAS allowed to check in was because I was travelling via New Zealand, so I pleaded with her to let me check-in and I'll sort it out in New Zealand (I had a 16 hour layover).. that wasn't the case, because even though the two other times I came here, they asked me, the first time I had it ready to go but the second time I just said, "Well I'm emigrating, so I don't need one", and that was okay! That's really interesting, I will definitely keep that in mind.. thanks!

Yeah that's true as well, I don't go 24 hours without checking the site and I will do the same.. fingers crossed on that one!

Thanks so much for the reply

GrayL