Does EAD/AP combo card usually arrive before AOS Interview?

[tolitzpogi 37]

Hello again VJers!

Here's the situation: I filed my wife's i-485 with i-765 & i-131 on 03/02/2015. Our NOA date was on 03/09/2015 and the Biometrics were done on 03/30/2015. We are currently waiting for her EAD/AP card so she can go pick up her two girls (approved as K2 and already received their visas) in mid-June of this year, hopefully for all of them to be back here on 06/20/2015 due to the cheaper ticket prices.

Anyway, while I was checking USCIS.gov, I found that my wife's AOS interview got scheduled for 06/10/2015. We were hoping she will receive her EAD/AP card by the end of the month so she can go home to pick up the kids, but the interview date kinda throws a proverbial wrench in our plans. However, she is good to leave after the interview date, but we wanted to know your experience regarding EAD/AP arrival dates.

Does the EAD/AP combo card usually arrive before the AOS interview? If it does, can she use it to re-enter the country even after the interview has taken place and the temporary green card is on its way? Will she have to wait the 3-4 weeks after the interview for the temp green card to arrive in order to leave the country?

Thanks in advance, once again!

[TBoneTX 46,122]

*** Thread moved from AOS/Family-Based main forum to the Case Progress subforum. ***

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

It usually arrives before the green card approval, through interview or without, because it typically takes it 60-90 days to be approved. Sometimes people get a fast interview date though, and the green card approval beats the EAD/AP approval. Some have received the EAD/AP not long before the interview, so there is still the chance the EAD/AP will be approved and sent to you this month.

Not everyone is approved on the spot at the interview either. If you happen to be approved on the spot, then ask the IO about getting the I-551 temporary stamp in your passport due to your travel plans to pick up the K-2 kids. If not approved on the spot and she still does not have the EAD/AP card, then you are going to have to change your travel plans until she has the green card in her hand.