Using AP to travel and APIS

[ADRII15 6]

Hi everyone,

I've been waiting on my GC since early December. I'm planning on traveling home to see my parents and grandparents early November, because my grandparents are not doing well. I have the EAD/AP combo card, but I am confused about how to use it. Icelandair wants me to fill out the APIS page before my flight (Advance Passenger Info), including my passport details and visa information. Obviously AP is not a visa, but I doubt they'll let me on the plane if I just show the the card when I get to the airport for my return flight home (I'm guessing most people are probably unfamiliar with AP cards).

Someone suggested getting an ESTA so they let me on the plane, but then just use AP upon arrival in the U.S., but that seems like a bad idea? Should I just send an email to the airline to confirm how they handle AP Cards and print it out? Hope there are some people can share their experience how to use the AP card (considering APIS) and how airlines respond to it? Thank you!

Edited October 7, 2015 by BertCO

[Vicha 7]

Yes, there are still some air companies and countries that are not able to recognize EAD, but I don't really think you will have a problem, traveling to you home country which is Netherlands?

I have traveled to Ukraine with EAD/AP, using Delta, KLM and Air France, having connections in Amsterdam, Paris - it depended on flight.

In Amsterdam they recognize EAD/AP, for sure and that this document lets you entry the US. Paris had no clue WHAT exactly it means , but they were also satisfied as long as they were able to see that the Card was issued by US CIS.

Booking tickets I was asked for passport and visa information. Of course, in our cases there is not any "visa" information, so I gave them EAD information, known as form I-766. Only once, booking tickets, I have been asked to sent them a copy of EAD. But anyway EAD information was enough

During trip I would keep and marriage license, along with passport and EAD. I also had my NOA1 of I-485, just in case but have never been asked to show that.

If you have a domestic flight after arriving to the US, you should have about 3 hours of layover - coming back to the US with EAD you will have to go through the secondary and wait time is unpredictable. It took for me 40 minutes for EVERYTHING, coming back through Minneapolis... together with cat and more than 2 hours , coming back through Detroit.. So, you never know how long it will take.

Yes, there is always a rick to get denied at the POE, but as long as your pending AOS is ok, you should be fine.

GOOD LUCK!!

.

Edited October 7, 2015 by Vicha

[Vicha 7]

rick=risk