AP Processing time and Accepted/Denial possibility

[Helpme123 9]

I applied for my AP with my I-130 and I-485 package (see signature)

I have heard it takes 1-3 months to receive in the mail the form for AP.

My question is has anyone had any experience with AP applications who know the acceptance and denial rate and reasons?

I am looking at planning and booking a trip in the next month and have everything paid for but don't want to risk losing all that money if I can't get approval on my AP by June 2013 that gives a good 4 months.

Thank you!

[Sveta & Ron 23]

helpme have you had your bio-metrics done yet? also might help others if knew what country also as for me we filed mid Jan. as of yesterday uscis said by mid april should have the ap as everything in file is good

[Helpme123 9]

helpme have you had your bio-metrics done yet? also might help others if knew what country also as for me we filed mid Jan. as of yesterday uscis said by mid april should have the ap as everything in file is good

Thank you for your response.

No biometrics, as you can see in my signature I received my I-797's just 2 days ago. I'm not sure what the next step is. I think I'm just waiting on another letter for Biometrics interview and/or EAD and AP approval.

[IanChap 5]

Thank you for your response.

No biometrics, as you can see in my signature I received my I-797's just 2 days ago. I'm not sure what the next step is. I think I'm just waiting on another letter for Biometrics interview and/or EAD and AP approval.

Hey Helpme,

I've read some horror stories on using the AP. Google it, and also check out britexpats.com. Most people, including my lawyer, advise to wait for physical GC in hand before attempting to leave the US and return. Just saying. I need desperately to return to South Africa, and lawyer didn't even file for AP, only EAD. My case was approved last Wednesday. I'm waiting for that green, as soon as I receive it, I am flying to Africa asap.

PS Check out this thread on this forum

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/417510-warning-for-aos-filers-who-also-file-for-ap/

Edited March 9, 2013 by IanChap

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

I applied for my AP with my I-130 and I-485 package (see signature)

I have heard it takes 1-3 months to receive in the mail the form for AP.

My question is has anyone had any experience with AP applications who know the acceptance and denial rate and reasons?

I am looking at planning and booking a trip in the next month and have everything paid for but don't want to risk losing all that money if I can't get approval on my AP by June 2013 that gives a good 4 months.

Thank you!

You should update your actual timeline. Some of us have signatures turned off and cannot see them. Besides, filling in the timeline will help you see approximate dates that your various applications will be approved by.

Never heard of an AP being denied when filing with a pending I-485. It takes 2-3 months to receive, assuming you do not receive an RFE.

Hey Helpme,

I've read some horror stories on using the AP. Google it, and also check out britexpats.com. Most people, including my lawyer, advise to wait for physical GC in hand before attempting to leave the US and return. Just saying. I need desperately to return to South Africa, and lawyer didn't even file for AP, only EAD. My case was approved last Wednesday. I'm waiting for that green, as soon as I receive it, I am flying to Africa asap.

PS Check out this thread on this forum

http://www.visajourn...so-file-for-ap/

This only applies to those who have accumulated over 180 days of unlawful presence in the US. Everyone else can freely use AP with no worries of being barred.

[Denver422 10]

I applied for my AP with my I-130 and I-485 package (see signature)

I have heard it takes 1-3 months to receive in the mail the form for AP.

My question is has anyone had any experience with AP applications who know the acceptance and denial rate and reasons?

I am looking at planning and booking a trip in the next month and have everything paid for but don't want to risk losing all that money if I can't get approval on my AP by June 2013 that gives a good 4 months.

Thank you!

I just posted VERY recently about the use of the AP and quite a lengthy debate erupted. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/417510-warning-for-aos-filers-who-also-file-for-ap/

The AP is commonly approved for just about everyone who applies for it along with AOS( I-485 ). I would advise AGAINST making travel arrangements in advance before having an approved AP or GC. If you have not accrued more than 180 days(6 months) of stay here after your particular visa expired you should have no trouble to use the AP to return to the USA. If you have MORE THAN 6 months of "overstay" DO NOT USE THE AP! It carries to much of a risk of being denied re-entry to the USA.

Wait for your GC.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=5436f0cb861c5210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=4c790a5659083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

Edited March 9, 2013 by Denver422

[Helpme123 9]

Hey Helpme,

I've read some horror stories on using the AP. Google it, and also check out britexpats.com. Most people, including my lawyer, advise to wait for physical GC in hand before attempting to leave the US and return. Just saying. I need desperately to return to South Africa, and lawyer didn't even file for AP, only EAD. My case was approved last Wednesday. I'm waiting for that green, as soon as I receive it, I am flying to Africa asap.

PS Check out this thread on this forum

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/417510-warning-for-aos-filers-who-also-file-for-ap/

Thank's I'll check out the link. I'm on my J-1 Trainee Visa which I got in New Zealand. Working as an engineer for 18 months. It expires in September 2013, in which I hope to have my GC before hand. Although I did apply for EAD just in case.

As for the AP, I've never overstayed or done anything illegal in the US so far only a $35 PARKING TICKET! I'm just looking at going on holiday in July to US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico somewhere close by. Not going to New Zealand.

You should update your actual timeline. Some of us have signatures turned off and cannot see them. Besides, filling in the timeline will help you see approximate dates that your various applications will be approved by.

Never heard of an AP being denied when filing with a pending I-485. It takes 2-3 months to receive, assuming you do not receive an RFE.

This only applies to those who have accumulated over 180 days of unlawful presence in the US. Everyone else can freely use AP with no worries of being barred.

So is it safe to just go with booking flights and accommodation given my situation? Thanks Jay-Kay I'll update my timeline now

I just posted VERY recently about the use of the AP and quite a lengthy debate erupted. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/417510-warning-for-aos-filers-who-also-file-for-ap/

The AP is commonly approved for just about everyone who applies for it along with AOS( I-485 ). I would advise AGAINST making travel arrangements in advance before having an approved AP or GC. If you have not accrued more than 180 days(6 months) of stay here after your particular visa expired you should have no trouble to use the AP to return to the USA. If you have MORE THAN 6 months of "overstay" DO NOT USE THE AP! It carries to much of a risk of being denied re-entry to the USA.

Wait for your GC.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=5436f0cb861c5210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=4c790a5659083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

Haven't overstayed yet. I have 6.5 more months on my J-1 ! I'll check out the link though.

EDIT: Haha Yes, I saw this thread!

Thank you for all your responses!

Edited March 9, 2013 by Helpme123

[Helpme123 9]

So based on my situation where I have over 3 months till my travels, would it be a relatively low level risk to just book flights now and assume I will get the AP document in the next few months? My Timeline suggests I'll be receiving it in 8 weeks. But I must book my travel before mid April.

Thanks again!

[Krikit 1,164]

Moving from AOS Process to the Travel forum.

As for the AP, I've never overstayed or done anything illegal in the US so far only a $35 PARKING TICKET! I'm just looking at going on holiday in July to US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico somewhere close by. Not going to New Zealand.

The good news is that you do not need Advance Parole when you're travelling to the USVI or Puerto Rico as you are not re-entering the US.... you remain within its territory.

So based on my situation where I have over 3 months till my travels, would it be a relatively low level risk to just book flights now and assume I will get the AP document in the next few months? My Timeline suggests I'll be receiving it in 8 weeks. But I must book my travel before mid April.

Thanks again!

Yes... very low risk. Especially if you are travelling to the USVI or PR.

[Helpme123 9]

Moving from AOS Process to the Travel forum.

The good news is that you do not need Advance Parole when you're travelling to the USVI or Puerto Rico as you are not re-entering the US.... you remain within its territory.

Yes... very low risk. Especially if you are travelling to the USVI or PR.

Thank you for your response. I'm aware that USVI is part of the territories but wasn't so sure on PR. My plans are also to take a cruise from PR to St. Thomas, St. Lucia and Barbados so the use of my Passport on the exit and re-entry would be required in that case.

I'm beginning to think this would still be very low risk since there's no reason why I wouldn't have my AP by July.

Any confirmation would be appreciated. Thank you.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

You will need a GC or AP for the cruise. When ppl leave out importants facts of a question, you will always get incomplete answers. The cruise was an importatnt fact to your question.

Edited March 10, 2013 by LIFE'SJOURNEY

[Helpme123 9]

You will need a GC or AP for the cruise. When ppl leave out importants facts of a question, you will always get incomplete answers. The cruise was an importatnt fact to your question.

Thank you for your response. To clarify the question is not "will I need an AP?" Since I have already applied for one. The question is should I go ahead and book my holiday regardless or location or nature with confidence that my AP will arrive in 2 or 3 months since my trip is 18 weeks away.

[Villanelle 4,122]

Well they typically arrive in 2-3 months. There is always a chance that it takes longer then 3 months.

If youre asking for confirmation of the statement- Does AP take 2-3 months typically to be approved and receive your card- the answer is yes. Everyone will agree and you can verify it for yourself by checking the timelines and trends on the stats page.

Does that make it a low risk assumption to assume you will receive your AP with in 2-3 months from the date you applied? Sure. Is there NO RISK? No. (As with all immigration processes there is NO guaranteed processing times and your travel will not count as emergency AP, so if you do not receive your AP in time, youre going to be out of luck)

Is it going to be a stressful wait if you book an expensive trip and not know if your AP will be here on time? Absolutely.

(But because the trends show that something like 95%+ of people who apply receive their AP with in 3 months it is quite reasonable to assume that you will be in the 95%+ and will receive your AP in time as well. ) also I really didnt do the math as math is not my strong suit. Im assuming its like 95+% because I only saw a few that were longer then 3 months out of a hundred. If somebody want to calculate up all the EADS and find the exact % that took longer then 3 months and correct it- go right ahead.

[Helpme123 9]

Well they typically arrive in 2-3 months. There is always a chance that it takes longer then 3 months.

If youre asking for confirmation of the statement- Does AP take 2-3 months typically to be approved and receive your card- the answer is yes. Everyone will agree and you can verify it for yourself by checking the timelines and trends on the stats page.

Does that make it a low risk assumption to assume you will receive your AP with in 2-3 months from the date you applied? Sure. Is there NO RISK? No. (As with all immigration processes there is NO guaranteed processing times and your travel will not count as emergency AP, so if you do not receive your AP in time, youre going to be out of luck)

Is it going to be a stressful wait if you book an expensive trip and not know if your AP will be here on time? Absolutely.

(But because the trends show that something like 95%+ of people who apply receive their AP with in 3 months it is quite reasonable to assume that you will be in the 95%+ and will receive your AP in time as well. ) also I really didnt do the math as math is not my strong suit. Im assuming its like 95+% because I only saw a few that were longer then 3 months out of a hundred. If somebody want to calculate up all the EADS and find the exact % that took longer then 3 months and correct it- go right ahead.

Good point. Thank you for your post. I was about to ask you where you got the 95% from because it would be nice to have that sort of information available. As for "a stressful wait" I think it would only be stressful if it took more than 5 months because that's how long I have.