Travelling with AP

[FaithSteps 3]

Hi guys,

We checked the USCIS Website for further update on our Case Status as we filed AOS, AP & EAD in late June.

We found out AP and EAD were approved a few days ago while AOS is pending.

Now we are just waiting to recieve them by mail which indicated 30days.

I must travel in emergency to my country, however my husband the USC will not be accompanying me on this trip due to work

My passport is still in my maiden name, I entered the US under the K1 Visa.

My question is would I experience any problems travelling with my passport tas the combo card will be in my married name and my passport is not.

Also booking my ticket with the airline is another issue, should I do this in my passport name and provide my married certificate when returing at US P.O.E along with the combo card and my passport.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you kindly.

[nobbie 105]

Your airline ticket should be in your passport name. Take your marriage cert with you for re entry in to the US with the combo card and passport.

Combo card should not take more than about a week to 10 days.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hi guys,

We checked the USCIS Website for further update on our Case Status as we filed AOS, AP & EAD in late June.

We found out AP and EAD were approved a few days ago while AOS is pending.

Now we are just waiting to recieve them by mail which indicated 30days.

I must travel in emergency to my country, however my husband the USC will not be accompanying me on this trip due to work

My passport is still in my maiden name, I entered the US under the K1 Visa.

My question is would I experience any problems travelling with my passport tas the combo card will be in my married name and my passport is not.

Also booking my ticket with the airline is another issue, should I do this in my passport name and provide my married certificate when returing at US P.O.E along with the combo card and my passport.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you kindly.

You do realize that this will be an issue anytime you travel internationally while having your current passport? Passport in maiden name AP or GC in married name. Not a problem if you can show that the two names belong to you. For all travel the ticket must be In the name that corresponds to the ID you will used--DL, AP/EAD/ GC, passport. For international travel you must use an official document issued by the government that you are a citizen of--i.e. your passport. All the AP or GC does is allow you to board the airplane to return to the US and gain re-entry into the US. Some CBP do not even ask to see your passport--the last time my wife enter the CBP employee did ask to see her passport.

I would allow some extra time when you return to the US as most people who use AP are taken into Secondary Inspection and that can take a few minutes to several hours depending on how busy they are. Take along a certified copy of your Marriage Certificate so that there is no question you are the same person and they cannot say the document is a fake.

Good luck,

Dave

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

~ Moved from AOS from Family Based Visas to Working & Traveling During US Immigration - topic is travel ~

[PabloGarcia 36]

Yes my wife was taken into secondary inspection traveling with AP card. The "interview" was more involved than both the k-1 visa interview and the GC interview. Its definitely not very convenient to travel with the AP card and if your GC is expected to come along soon then I would wait until getting that.

[Kiwinyc 62]

Yes my wife was taken into secondary inspection traveling with AP card. The "interview" was more involved than both the k-1 visa interview and the GC interview. Its definitely not very convenient to travel with the AP card and if your GC is expected to come along soon then I would wait until getting that.

There is nothing 'inconvenient' about travelling on AP - you go into secondary processing the first time you return with it but subsequent visits I went straight through, no additional processing, it works exactly the same as a GC (which I have also returned on now)

[PabloGarcia 36]

There is nothing 'inconvenient' about travelling on AP - you go into secondary processing the first time you return with it but subsequent visits I went straight through, no additional processing, it works exactly the same as a GC (which I have also returned on now)

Whats convenient about secondary inspection for an hour? This is pretty stressful for anyone with a connecting flight.

[Kiwinyc 62]

Whats convenient about secondary inspection for an hour? This is pretty stressful for anyone with a connecting flight.

I don't think you understand what 'convenient' or 'inconvenient' mean.

Secondary processing the first time you come in part of the process. Its not repeated in subsequent trips. Not leaving enough of a connection time to make this stressful doesn't make having permission to get back into the country inconvenient. What is inconvenient is the situation that you / your wife created for yourself. It doesn't mean that other people will experience the same 'stress'.

Edited September 7, 2014 by Kiwinyc

[PabloGarcia 36]

I don't think you understand what 'convenient' or 'inconvenient' mean.

Secondary processing the first time you come in part of the process. Its not repeated in subsequent trips. Not leaving enough of a connection time to make this stressful doesn't make having permission to get back into the country inconvenient. What is inconvenient is the situation that you / your wife created for yourself. It doesn't mean that other people will experience the same 'stress'.

I don't understand what your problem is. Your experience was different than mine. I'm just sharing my opinion. Please do not tell me whether I how I feel is right or wrong.

in·con·ven·ient

adjective

causing trouble, difficulties, or discomfort

Everything that my wife went through can be described with those adjectives.

[steve n songsang 45]

POE Chicago, last night with my wife using her combo card. It was not "inconvenient"...we were not "caused any trouble","we had no difficulties"," we suffered no discomfort". Now "pain in the ###"...that works. 1hour and 50 minutes after an officer took my wife`s passport and combo card to the back of the waiting area, another officer came out, called her name, handed her her passport and combo card and away we went. No questions, no interview. All of us here at VJ have had to follow numerous procedures, obviously this was another one. I would recommend to anyone who`s POE is not home to plan for this, better to have a cocktail waiting for you`re connecting flight then to miss it! Thanks to Kiwinyc for the info that it is a one time occurrence!

[Kiwinyc 62]

POE Chicago, last night with my wife using her combo card. It was not "inconvenient"...we were not "caused any trouble","we had no difficulties"," we suffered no discomfort". Now "pain in the ###"...that works. 1hour and 50 minutes after an officer took my wife`s passport and combo card to the back of the waiting area, another officer came out, called her name, handed her her passport and combo card and away we went. No questions, no interview. All of us here at VJ have had to follow numerous procedures, obviously this was another one. I would recommend to anyone who`s POE is not home to plan for this, better to have a cocktail waiting for you`re connecting flight then to miss it! Thanks to Kiwinyc for the info that it is a one time occurrence!

Can assure you I went through secondary processing only the one and first time using my EAD/AP combo card.

The second time I went straight through without a hitch. The only 'inconvenience' to this was that my husband assumed it would take longer and left late so I had to wait 15 mins until he got to the airport to pick me up!

I don't understand what your problem is. Your experience was different than mine. I'm just sharing my opinion. Please do not tell me whether I how I feel is right or wrong.

in·con·ven·ient

adjective

causing trouble, difficulties, or discomfort

Everything that my wife went through can be described with those adjectives.

The way you are expressing your 'opinion' makes it seem like AP is not worth using. Which is not at all the case - without it, your wife would not have been able to return at all.

THAT would be inconvenient.

[FaithSteps 3]

Hey guys,

First of all thank you for your guidance on the matter.

My combo card actually came in my maiden name, same as my passport so I didn't have to stressed about marital surname.

I am pleased to say I spent 1 month in my home country and returned through P.O.E with no issues.

I was really nervous using the card for the first time.

It took me 20 mins in line to see immigration officer whom was quiet pleasant and explained the formalities of using the card to me.

I was then taken to secondary inspection where I sat for approximately 30 mins upon which I recieved the parole stamp.

This delay was expected however I was suprised it wasn't too lengthy considering previous comments.

I would definatley encourage using AP, I am thankful for a good experience.

Edited October 29, 2014 by FaithSteps

[TBoneTX 45,291]

Everyone is asked to stop the bickering in this thread. Nothing is guaranteed when traveling on AP, and any attempt to enter the U.S. with use of AP can result in being pulled into secondary inspection for any reason or whim in the minds of the CBP agents.

[FaithSteps 3]

Everyone is asked to stop the bickering in this thread. Nothing is guaranteed when traveling on AP, and any attempt to enter the U.S. with use of AP can result in being pulled into secondary inspection for any reason or whim in the minds of the CBP agents.

TBone TX thanks for your comment but this thread was created to clarify information.

Everyone would have different experience I imagine using the card and hence detailed same.

I just don't think discouraging use of the card is sensible either then why bother apply for it.

[TBoneTX 45,291]

The comment was not directed at you, but at posters above who jumped on another.

Theory is wonderful, in theory. Self-protection is best:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/520220-travelling-within-usa/?p=7315369