Should I re-schedule my interview?

[togetmarried 0]

Hello!

Everyone here has been so helpful and my AOS process has been going pretty good - and I have one more question I need people's help!

1. AOS from F-1

2. First NOA was dated February 1st.

3. Just got a notice that my interview appointment letter is in the mail for the interview on April 10th.

4. My wedding is on April 14th in South Korea, and that's why I applied and waiting for my AP (and waiting).

I was just doing some research and found that it is advised against traveling internationally between the time of interview and the receipt of your physical, actual GC. And it seems that you hand back your AP at the interview anyways? (I might be wrong about this).

I just don't have enough time between the interview appointment date and the schedule departure date to wait and set up an INFOPASS appointment to argue for the I-551 stamp as some people have suggested.

SO. QUESTIONS.

1. Should I just re-schedule my interview at a later date and travel with my AP, return later to complete the interview?

2. Do people routinely get their I-551 stamp on their passport? Does having that stamp allow you to travel in and out of US?

3. Does re-scheduling your interview count against you in the overall decision?

We didn't expect the interview to be scheduled so fast, and while we are very excited about it, it is also creating its own share of problems..

[CC90 90]

2. First NOA was dated February 1st.

Quite fast.

1. Should I just re-schedule my interview at a later date and travel with my AP, return later to complete the interview?

That's kind of up to you. I suppose you could, but some more routine reschedules are related to death in family, natural disaster, etc. (i.e. more unexpected, emergent situations).

2. Do people routinely get their I-551 stamp on their passport? Does having that stamp allow you to travel in and out of US?

It's standard procedure NOT to give the stamp, but some people get it if they request it. You really won't quite know until the day of the interview unfortunately. However, I would bet that if you had proof of travel plans, you should be able to get it, but there's no guarantee.

3. Does re-scheduling your interview count against you in the overall decision?

Depends on the reason, but generally not.

We didn't expect the interview to be scheduled so fast, and while we are very excited about it, it is also creating its own share of problems..

Yes, this is a shame. However, travelling on AP in any case is inherently risky and ill-advised. It just adds one more complicating factor, but most get by.

하여튼 결혼 축하드립니다^^

[CC90 90]

Also, the AP/EAD takes about 60-70 days to be issued and then 5-7 days in the mail (irrespective of the interview; it's processed by another unit), so there's a chance you may not even have that by the time you leave. That was a risky move.

Edited March 8, 2013 by CC90

[togetmarried 0]

Also, the AP/EAD takes about 60-70 days to be issued and then 5-7 days in the mail (irrespective of the interview; it's processed by another unit), so there's a chance you may not even have that by the time you leave. That was a risky move.

Yeah.. we realized it after we submitted our application. We are considering other alternatives at this point.

Anyways, too fast or too slow, there doesn't seem to be a right speed for immigration processing.

[CC90 90]

Just try Korean immigration

Best of luck.

Edited March 8, 2013 by CC90