questions about temporary green card stamp & EAD/AP documents

[uscdncitizen 0]

hi everyone! hoping to get some advice/expertise to some questions about our situation.

we filed for AOS a few months ago with application for EAD/AP.

my wife has not yet received her EAD/AP documents. we only received notice last friday (june 22) that she was approved for the EAD/AP.

today (june 27), we had her AOS interview and the officer told us he was recommending us to be approved. he did not, however, stamp her passport with a temporary grreen card.

he said my wife would have to come back and file an infopass appointment to get a temporary green card stamped in her passport if she needs to travel before receiving the actual green card. my wife actually needs to travel out of the US next week for some imporotant matters in her home country. is getting a temporary green card stamped a normal procedure for those who have 'been approved' for a green card? what do we need to bring (if anything)? we didn't get any documentation from the officer with his recommendation. also - does the green card let her travel & work in the US?

ALSO, was wondering about the EAD/AP card that we're supposed to receive - does that have any value now that we've been approved for a green card? it seemed like the officer was saying that neither of those have any use since she's been approved. is that true? if she gets that card in the mail, can she use it to travel out of country?

thanks for any help - we're new to all of this!

Edited June 28, 2012 by uscdncitizen

[wifi 6]

hi everyone! hoping to get some advice/expertise to some questions about our situation.

we filed for AOS a few months ago with application for EAD/AP.

my wife has not yet received her EAD/AP documents. we only received notice last friday (june 22) that she was approved for the EAD/AP.

today (june 27), we had her AOS interview and the officer told us he was recommending us to be approved. he did not, however, stamp her passport with a temporary grreen card.

he said my wife would have to come back and file an infopass appointment to get a temporary green card stamped in her passport if she needs to travel before receiving the actual green card. my wife actually needs to travel out of the US next week for some imporotant matters in her home country. is getting a temporary green card stamped a normal procedure for those who have 'been approved' for a green card? what do we need to bring (if anything)? we didn't get any documentation from the officer with his recommendation. also - does the green card let her travel & work in the US?

ALSO, was wondering about the EAD/AP card that we're supposed to receive - does that have any value now that we've been approved for a green card? it seemed like the officer was saying that neither of those have any use since she's been approved. is that true? if she gets that card in the mail, can she use it to travel out of country?

thanks for any help - we're new to all of this!

The EAD + AP card you will receive has NO value. It is useless now that you've been approved for a green card. When you receive it, you should file it away and never use it. When you make your InfoPass appointment, be certain to bring your I130 and I485 NOA receipts. The IO will check your status and stamp your passport. That is good for travel until your card is received.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yes, also bring the proof of imminent travel (your receipts for flights) at your appointment.

[uscdncitizen 0]

Is getting a temporary green card stamp in her passport guaranteed based on her circumstance? The closest infopass office is about 3 hrs away from us ! Thanks!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

If she has been officially approved for GC (and is therefore a Permanent Resident at that point) then yes, she is entitled to proof of her status for international travel. If she is not approved by the time she needs to travel, then you can use AP. If she is approved, you can no longer use AP and need a stamp.

[grrrrreat 109]

If she has been officially approved for GC (and is therefore a Permanent Resident at that point) then yes, she is entitled to proof of her status for international travel. If she is not approved by the time she needs to travel, then you can use AP. If she is approved, you can no longer use AP and need a stamp.

Actually USCIS told another poster who urgently needed to travel that they could still use their AP after permanent residency was approved. The person had not received their Green Card yet but had a previous advance parole. USCIS said because it was an emergency the person should go ahead and travel abroad and use AP to reenter. But the person had to return to the port of entry when they got the Green Card so that the border patrol could change their status from parolee to returning resident in the computer system.

Not sure how unique that circumstance was but it's worth calling USCIS to inquire about if you have an urgent need.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Actually USCIS told another poster who urgently needed to travel that they could still use their AP after permanent residency was approved. The person had not received their Green Card yet but had a previous advance parole. USCIS said because it was an emergency the person should go ahead and travel abroad and use AP to reenter. But the person had to return to the port of entry when they got the Green Card so that the border patrol could change their status from parolee to returning resident in the computer system.

Not sure how unique that circumstance was but it's worth calling USCIS to inquire about if you have an urgent need.

I think you are referring to Little_My, and your interpretation of her story isn't quite right. She was not approved for her GC when she left on AP. The approval for it came after she was out of the country. She reentered on AP and was told to come back within a year to update her status at CBP. She did not leave the country after her GC was approved. So, when she left, she had the appropriate documents for her status (AOS-pending). I don't think it is wise to leave the country if you are really a LPR without your appropriate documents (stamp or GC).