Leaving & re-entering US on AP - details please!

[Rose_3001 23]

Hello,

 

I entered the US on a k1 visa, am currently going through AOS and have recently been granted my AP/EAD combo card. 

 

I fly back to the UK on Saturday and I just want to know exactly when I need to show my AP card -- is it necessary to show this upon leaving the US, or just re-entering? If the former, when exactly does this need to be shown? Should it be handed over with my passport? Will the airport staff know what it is, or will I have to have the other NOAs in my hand ready by way of an explanation?

 

Also, when the time comes to fly back to the US, do I need to show the AP card at the airport in the UK? 

 

Thank you for any advice or reassurance -- the visa process has turned me into a nervous wreck! 

[Rose_3001 23]

14 hours ago, Dee elle said:

Breathe.... 

You check in here with your UK passport....

 

You check in for the return trip with your UK passport and the AP card

 

At POE you use both the passport and the AP card... dont know if you can use the automated gates coming back in, try.. it will soon tell you if you cant by issuing the ticket with a big cross, and then you wil be directed to a CBP officer... all good !,, 

 

The airline staff should be familiar with the card, but carry copies of significant paperwork such as the NOA1 for your I485....just in case 

 

Thank you! Coming back in, do I have to go in the 'visa holder' line? Rather than the ESTA line or the Resident/Citizen line? 

 

 

[sallymcp 9]

Thanks for asking this!

 

We are in a similar situation, heading back to the UK for the holidays with my husband's family!

 

I was planning on bringing our marriage certificate, NOA 1 and a letter from his job that says he's employed!

Is that overkill?

 

Thanks!

[Dashinka 24,717]

On 11/30/2017 at 10:20 PM, Rose_3001 said:

Thank you! Coming back in, do I have to go in the 'visa holder' line? Rather than the ESTA line or the Resident/Citizen line? 

 

 

Most POEs have CBP officers at the beginning of the lines to help direct people to the right place, so I would advise asking them letting them know your situation.  My wife never used an AP, but she has come back a couple of times with an ROC extension letter and on her first re-entry they directed her to the proper line.  I would think that since you are not an LPR yet, you would have to go to the visitor line.

 

Good Luck and Safe Travels!

[Rose_3001 23]

On 12/14/2017 at 2:37 PM, sallymcp said:

Thanks for asking this!

 

We are in a similar situation, heading back to the UK for the holidays with my husband's family!

 

I was planning on bringing our marriage certificate, NOA 1 and a letter from his job that says he's employed!

Is that overkill?

 

Thanks!

Hi! 

 

Have you returned to the US yet? How was your experience - were you able to check-in online? I fly back tomorrow.

 

I'm also wondering about what country to put as 'country of residence' when checking in online (if it'll let me do it) - since I'm on AOS I'm not a legal permanent resident yet, but neither am I technically resident in the UK...

 

Anyone else who's travelled on AP, is it better just to check-in at the airport?

 

Many thanks

[sallymcp 9]

10 minutes ago, Rose_3001 said:

Hi! 

 

Have you returned to the US yet? How was your experience - were you able to check-in online? I fly back tomorrow.

 

I'm also wondering about what country to put as 'country of residence' when checking in online (if it'll let me do it) - since I'm on AOS I'm not a legal permanent resident yet, but neither am I technically resident in the UK...

 

Anyone else who's travelled on AP, is it better just to check-in at the airport?

 

Many thanks

We got back on the 29th of December!

 

Overall the experience wasn't too terrible. The airport staff was horrendous, but the CBP were actually very nice and helpful.

 

We flew into Detroit, for what it's worth.

 

The airport staff put us in the wrong line, I think, but after waiting 1.5+ hours, the CBP didn't ask for anything else, really. 

They asked my husband if he was working and he said yes, driving for Waitr (like UberEats) but that he had finally finished signing up to be a substitute teacher. The CBP guy lit up and asked what subjects he was interested in teaching and was really nice after that. He didn't ask for any paperwork to verify that my husband was working, but we did offer to show him.

 

After that they sent us into a room used for people who were going into secondary questioning because we had to use a special stamp. We were only in there for ~15 minutes, they didn't ask us any further questions-- just stamped my husband's passport and we left!

 

Overall it was pretty standard, but it was nerve-wracking lol. We're planning on visiting for another week in May and will hopefully be flying direct in/out of Houston so hoping it will be a bit smoother this time.

15 minutes ago, Rose_3001 said:

Hi! 

 

Have you returned to the US yet? How was your experience - were you able to check-in online? I fly back tomorrow.

 

I'm also wondering about what country to put as 'country of residence' when checking in online (if it'll let me do it) - since I'm on AOS I'm not a legal permanent resident yet, but neither am I technically resident in the UK...

 

Anyone else who's travelled on AP, is it better just to check-in at the airport?

 

Many thanks

We were NOT able to check-in online, though!!! 

[Rose_3001 23]

56 minutes ago, sallymcp said:

We got back on the 29th of December!

 

Overall the experience wasn't too terrible. The airport staff was horrendous, but the CBP were actually very nice and helpful.

 

We flew into Detroit, for what it's worth.

 

The airport staff put us in the wrong line, I think, but after waiting 1.5+ hours, the CBP didn't ask for anything else, really. 

They asked my husband if he was working and he said yes, driving for Waitr (like UberEats) but that he had finally finished signing up to be a substitute teacher. The CBP guy lit up and asked what subjects he was interested in teaching and was really nice after that. He didn't ask for any paperwork to verify that my husband was working, but we did offer to show him.

 

After that they sent us into a room used for people who were going into secondary questioning because we had to use a special stamp. We were only in there for ~15 minutes, they didn't ask us any further questions-- just stamped my husband's passport and we left!

 

Overall it was pretty standard, but it was nerve-wracking lol. We're planning on visiting for another week in May and will hopefully be flying direct in/out of Houston so hoping it will be a bit smoother this time.

We were NOT able to check-in online, though!!! 

 

Many thanks for sharing - glad to hear it wasn't too terrible. My (US) husband flew back last week, so I'll be flying back alone this time which is making it slightly more nerve-wracking, but I think the worst bit will be the queues in Atlanta - and not really knowing which queue to go in (neither do the staff apparently!) 

 

Was everything ok checking in UK-side at the airport with the AP docs? Flying Delta so hoping they'll be familiar with it...

[sallymcp 9]

1 hour ago, Rose_3001 said:

 

Many thanks for sharing - glad to hear it wasn't too terrible. My (US) husband flew back last week, so I'll be flying back alone this time which is making it slightly more nerve-wracking, but I think the worst bit will be the queues in Atlanta - and not really knowing which queue to go in (neither do the staff apparently!) 

 

Was everything ok checking in UK-side at the airport with the AP docs? Flying Delta so hoping they'll be familiar with it...

The guy had to check with his supervisor because he personally hadn't seen one before, but it was a quick check and we were good to go! 

[Rose_3001 23]

I thought I’d share my experience for anyone else travelling with AP.

 

I arrived at London Heathrow, had to line up in the ‘security check’ at check-in/bag drop. Handed over my passport and AP/EAD card, all fine. Was asked a couple of questions – did I pack the bag myself, what had I been doing in the UK, and was then able to drop off my bag and print boarding pass.

 

Stateside, I arrived in Atlanta and lined up in the ‘foreigners’ line for those with visas. Took about 1 hr 15 mins to get to the front. Handed officer my passport and AP/EAD card, he looked at the card and made a comment like ‘oh this is what they look like now’. Then he flicked through my passport and saw the K1 visa and said ‘so this didn’t work out then?’ Pretty sure he was just testing me, but I just explained that wasn’t the case, I entered on a K1, got married and was now pending AOS. He then asked how I met my husband, and accused me of just getting together with him to get a green card, though I was pretty sure at this point that he was messing with me, so I just smiled and said that wasn’t the case.

 

He then took me over to secondary processing, which I’d been expecting. I waited there for about 20 mins, was called up and the officer said ‘so why do you have this card’ – I explained, he asked how long I’d been in the UK for and why, and then typed some stuff in, gave me my docs back and I was free to go.

 

All in all not a bad experience, a little stressful because of the long waits but nothing unexpected.

[Tella&T 183]

On 1/10/2018 at 12:03 AM, Rose_3001 said:

I thought I’d share my experience for anyone else travelling with AP.

 

I arrived at London Heathrow, had to line up in the ‘security check’ at check-in/bag drop. Handed over my passport and AP/EAD card, all fine. Was asked a couple of questions – did I pack the bag myself, what had I been doing in the UK, and was then able to drop off my bag and print boarding pass.

 

Stateside, I arrived in Atlanta and lined up in the ‘foreigners’ line for those with visas. Took about 1 hr 15 mins to get to the front. Handed officer my passport and AP/EAD card, he looked at the card and made a comment like ‘oh this is what they look like now’. Then he flicked through my passport and saw the K1 visa and said ‘so this didn’t work out then?’ Pretty sure he was just testing me, but I just explained that wasn’t the case, I entered on a K1, got married and was now pending AOS. He then asked how I met my husband, and accused me of just getting together with him to get a green card, though I was pretty sure at this point that he was messing with me, so I just smiled and said that wasn’t the case.

 

He then took me over to secondary processing, which I’d been expecting. I waited there for about 20 mins, was called up and the officer said ‘so why do you have this card’ – I explained, he asked how long I’d been in the UK for and why, and then typed some stuff in, gave me my docs back and I was free to go.

 

All in all not a bad experience, a little stressful because of the long waits but nothing unexpected.

Thanks for sharing! I was looking for people's experiences coming back on AP but they were not so easy to find! I will be going to Philly via Heathrow in a couple of weeks. But I must say him telling you that you got together with your husband just for the green card was pretty outrageous...!

[Rose_3001 23]

4 hours ago, Martella&T said:

Thanks for sharing! I was looking for people's experiences coming back on AP but they were not so easy to find! I will be going to Philly via Heathrow in a couple of weeks. But I must say him telling you that you got together with your husband just for the green card was pretty outrageous...!

No problem! It helps just to hear how it has gone for other people, doesn't it. I know! Totally outrageous. In fact I tell people that story all the time, when they say 'Oh, but you're from the UK, I'm sure the immigration process isn't as bad for you.' The border control officer was unbelievable, accusing me of 'preying on tourists' because I had met my husband when he was a student in London. When I replied that he wasn't a tourist, he was a student, he snapped back 'Well, he was an American citizen in the UK, therefore he was a tourist. You thought you'd find yourself an American tourist and marry him for the green card, right?' This is verbatim!! 

Anyway, don't let that put you off - just stay calm, stand your ground and give brief and succinct answers to whatever they say, and try not to take it personally. 

[rhealy6322 10]

Good day everyone.

 

We applied for AOS on Dec 8th and still have not had the green card interview. My wife's mother has recently become very ill and is in the ICU in the Philippines. My wife has the EAD/AP combocard and I am suggesting she goes ASAP to be by her mothers side. She will be travelling alone because I am currently in the middle east for work and my company bereavement policy does not cover a sick mother-in-law so I can not travel to be there unless she takes a turn for the worse and passes (I'm praying this does not happen).

 

Does anyone know if she will be given any problems departing the USA and returning by immigration officials, especially since she will be travelling alone from the USA and potentially the return leg to the USA? will the AP/EAD combo card and her plethora of notice of actions be sufficient to allow her to leave and return without harrassment? I have read through and it seems most of the folks on here have been able to return without a hitch. I told my wife to bring every document pertaining to the I-485 AOS she has.

 

Im sorry to put this here but this has occured abrubtly and I am looking for any help.

 

Thanks and God Bless,

 

Ryan and Daniella

[Tella&T 183]

On 11/2/2018 at 2:30 PM, Rose_3001 said:

No problem! It helps just to hear how it has gone for other people, doesn't it. I know! Totally outrageous. In fact I tell people that story all the time, when they say 'Oh, but you're from the UK, I'm sure the immigration process isn't as bad for you.' The border control officer was unbelievable, accusing me of 'preying on tourists' because I had met my husband when he was a student in London. When I replied that he wasn't a tourist, he was a student, he snapped back 'Well, he was an American citizen in the UK, therefore he was a tourist. You thought you'd find yourself an American tourist and marry him for the green card, right?' This is verbatim!! 

Anyway, don't let that put you off - just stay calm, stand your ground and give brief and succinct answers to whatever they say, and try not to take it personally. 

In a way I am glad I am reading it... it's just sometimes one is not prepared for such hostility... so now I am! But still hoping it will be less outrageous!
And I have to hide the part of me that is thinking of some snarky comments, probably not too wise...

[Tella&T 183]

On 11/3/2018 at 3:09 PM, rhealy6322 said:

Good day everyone.

 

We applied for AOS on Dec 8th and still have not had the green card interview. My wife's mother has recently become very ill and is in the ICU in the Philippines. My wife has the EAD/AP combocard and I am suggesting she goes ASAP to be by her mothers side. She will be travelling alone because I am currently in the middle east for work and my company bereavement policy does not cover a sick mother-in-law so I can not travel to be there unless she takes a turn for the worse and passes (I'm praying this does not happen).

 

Does anyone know if she will be given any problems departing the USA and returning by immigration officials, especially since she will be travelling alone from the USA and potentially the return leg to the USA? will the AP/EAD combo card and her plethora of notice of actions be sufficient to allow her to leave and return without harrassment? I have read through and it seems most of the folks on here have been able to return without a hitch. I told my wife to bring every document pertaining to the I-485 AOS she has.

 

Im sorry to put this here but this has occured abrubtly and I am looking for any help.

 

Thanks and God Bless,

 

Ryan and Daniella

It should not be a problem, she just has to be prepared everybody with AP card will have additional check while entering back, forget what's it called and she may need to answer some questions. Some people were given hard time if they went for 2 months. But one has only one mother so she'd better go if she can.

[Rose_3001 23]

On 11/3/2018 at 10:09 AM, rhealy6322 said:

Good day everyone.

 

We applied for AOS on Dec 8th and still have not had the green card interview. My wife's mother has recently become very ill and is in the ICU in the Philippines. My wife has the EAD/AP combocard and I am suggesting she goes ASAP to be by her mothers side. She will be travelling alone because I am currently in the middle east for work and my company bereavement policy does not cover a sick mother-in-law so I can not travel to be there unless she takes a turn for the worse and passes (I'm praying this does not happen).

 

Does anyone know if she will be given any problems departing the USA and returning by immigration officials, especially since she will be travelling alone from the USA and potentially the return leg to the USA? will the AP/EAD combo card and her plethora of notice of actions be sufficient to allow her to leave and return without harrassment? I have read through and it seems most of the folks on here have been able to return without a hitch. I told my wife to bring every document pertaining to the I-485 AOS she has.

 

Im sorry to put this here but this has occured abrubtly and I am looking for any help.

 

Thanks and God Bless,

 

Ryan and Daniella

Sorry to hear about your wife's mother, that's a horrible situation to be in. Seeing as she has the combo card which I assume is still in date, and assuming she hasn't yet had a green card approved that she is waiting to arrive, then the combo card will be fine. Just bring all the docs - I carry a copy of our marriage certificate whenever travelling, just in case - and there shouldn't be any problems. If she ends up having to stay in the Philippines for several months then it might be more difficult to get back in, but I'm afraid I don't have any experience in that area.