interview scheduled - need travel advice

[Camineet 0]

Hi guys, my first post here. Hoping someone will be so kind as to review my travel plans and let me know if there's anything I'm missing.

I'm a US citizen and have successfully brought my Chinese fiancé over to Michigan on a K-1 visa, married her, done biometrics, received advanced parole card, and now have interview scheduled for September 29.

We are anxious to travel to China and I am strongly considering purchasing tickets for just a day or two after her interview on September 29.

Delta has some amazing deals to Xiamen during that timeframe at the moment. I need to fly Delta because I'm taking a lot of excess baggage which only Delta allows (for a fee of course). These tickets are so cheap compared to usual price, I really don't want to miss the chance to buy them in the next 48hrs or so.

As I understand it, after the interview, unless something goes wrong, my wife's greencard will be sent a week or so after the interview to my Michigan address. Since we have her advance parole card, I assume we can depart and just have one of my family members send the greencard via DHL to us in our overseas location.

Do you guys see any problem with this plan?

thanks

[JamnSol 35]

Are you planning on staying in China? If not, travel on the AP, collect the green card upon return.

Best of luck,

James C

Are you planning on staying in China? If not, travel on the AP, collect the green card upon return.

Best of luck,

James C

[Dashinka 24,726]

Personally, I would wait for the GC. Is it possible to get the same deal for a few weeks after the interview? What I am uncertain of is when the GC is approved, does it invalidate the AP (will CBP see that a GC has been issued and ask why you are trying to use the AP instead)? It is usually not advisable to rely on any delivery service to get a GC overseas. One option would be to see if she can get a GC stamp in her passport at the interview assuming you are approved on the spot.

Good Luck!

P.S. You should ask a moderator to move this question to the travel section where you may get more advice. You can do this by clicking on the "Report" button on your original post and making the request there.

Edited August 29, 2016 by Bill & Katya

[Camineet 0]

thank you guys

We're doing a long-stay in Xiamen. A very long-stay.

The flight deal does recur on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and sometimes Thursdays and Fridays throughout the month of October.

Issuance of green card invalidating advanced parole. That's the kind of thing that I was looking for that I might be missing. The possibility that such a thing happens could create serious problems on travel day

I guess I had better not buy the tickets now although it would be really nice to get going out of here just shortly after the interview. That won't be possible if we don't even sit down to buy the tickets until a few weeks later when the GC arrives. Guys, it is just a few weeks later that the GC arrives in the mail, right?

I'll ask a mod to move the thread as suggested. thank you again.

Edited August 29, 2016 by Camineet

[Ontarkie 14,394]

~~Moved to Working and Traveling, from AOS from Family - As the OP is looking for info on traveling within days of interview.~~

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

What if after 2 days they decide to send you a RFE for something ? I would wait until GC in hand.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

Also, how long are you staying in China? Your wife should NOT be outside the US for more than 6 months at a time, otherwise she'll risk losing her GC.

[Dashinka 24,726]

Also, how long are you staying in China? Your wife should NOT be outside the US for more than 6 months at a time, otherwise she'll risk losing her GC.

EM_Vandaveer makes a good point. You say you are going to China for a very long time, you need to remember that a GC is not a multi-entry multi-year visitor visa. It is meant for people that plan to make their residence in the US. There are tools available for extended periods outside the US (re-entry permit if you plan to stay out of the US for more than a year although some get this if the period is more than six months), but to apply for a GC means you plan to live in the US. If you plan to live outside of the US for more than a year (or two with a re-entry permit), the GC may be considered abandoned, and an individual would need to start a new process when they decide to return.

Good Luck!

[Camineet 0]

yes, good reminders. thanks guys

[KierenHby 899]

We're doing a long-stay in Xiamen. A very long-stay.

that doesn't bode well for a green card holder.