F1 visa and combo card

[eunahlee92 23]

Hello, I have F1 visa (student visa) and am going to college. I applied for green card and just got approved for EAD/AP (working and travel permit). I heard once I use the combo card, my status is not f1 anymore. My f1 is expired last year, but I have valid I-20 because I'm still going to school. Can I still finish my school if I come back to the United States with the combo card?? 

[TNJ17 1,329]

You need a valid visa to re-enter. Your combo card is only valid if your visa is valid. If you are still going to school at the same school as your valid I20, then you need to apply for a new F1. If you’re going to school at a different school, then your I20is no longer valid and you’re overstaying. 

Edited December 11, 2017 by TNJ17

[KNMI 1]

On what basis was the EAD/AP combo card issued? Was it issued on the basis of a pending adjustment of status application (that is still pending)?

 

If so, you can finish your degree. You should consult with the international center or school official in charge of international student affairs to be sure of your specific school's procedures in this situation. Most schools will not remove you from the SEVIS system for registering international students until you graduate or tell them to do so. However, in general, using any document or benefit associated with your pending AOS (such as the EAD/Combo card to obtain employment or to re-enter the US) effectively ends gives your student status. On the other hand, a pending AOS gives you legal status in the US while the petition is adjudicated. You can simply enroll on the basis of this legal presence (NOT as an international student). 

[eunahlee92 23]

8 minutes ago, N&K said:

On what basis was the EAD/AP combo card issued? Was it issued on the basis of a pending adjustment of status application (that is still pending)?

 

If so, you can finish your degree. You should consult with the international center or school official in charge of international student affairs to be sure of your specific school's procedures in this situation. Most schools will not remove you from the SEVIS system for registering international students until you graduate or tell them to do so. However, in general, using any document or benefit associated with your pending AOS (such as the EAD/Combo card to obtain employment or to re-enter the US) effectively ends gives your student status. On the other hand, a pending AOS gives you legal status in the US while the petition is adjudicated. You can simply enroll on the basis of this legal presence (NOT as an international student). 

oh shoot  i was gonna see my family but maybe not  i emailed my school's international student office, hope i get it back soon. but thank you for answering my question!

[cyanmavi 101]

1 hour ago, eunahlee92 said:

Hello, I have F1 visa (student visa) and am going to college. I applied for green card and just got approved for EAD/AP (working and travel permit). I heard once I use the combo card, my status is not f1 anymore. My f1 is expired last year, but I have valid I-20 because I'm still going to school. Can I still finish my school if I come back to the United States with the combo card?? 

On what basis did you apply for a green card? National interest waiver? Marriage?

[eunahlee92 23]

2 minutes ago, cyanmavi said:

On what basis did you apply for a green card? National interest waiver? Marriage?

oh I'm sorry, i meant to quote the others post!  I applied for green card by marriage to a citizen! EAD/AP is approved but didn't get interview yet, so green card is still pending!

[KNMI 1]

I meant to say that you can continue your degree program if you re-enter with your combo card. However, you would continue as a domestic student based on your legal presence during a pending Adjustment of Status, since your F1 student status would have ended.

 

If you want to play it ultra-safe and be able to fall back on your F1/I-20 to finish your degree on the slim chance that your AOS is denied, then you may want to avoid using the combo card. It's totally your call. But again, just make sure you're aware of your university's procedures.

 

Looks like based on your timeline history that you are pending AOS on the basis of marriage to a USC.

[cyanmavi 101]

12 minutes ago, eunahlee92 said:

oh I'm sorry, i meant to quote the others post!  I applied for green card by marriage to a citizen! EAD/AP is approved but didn't get interview yet, so green card is still pending!

I will reply anyway if you don't mind haha

Since you have the EAD/AP card, you can leave the country and come back again, using the AP.

You should also definitely be able to continue your studies, you should talk to your international student counselor or your dean.

You are not out-of-status or illegal but unfortunately you don't have an official status either until you get your permanent resident status with the green card.

[cyanmavi 101]

13 minutes ago, N&K said:

I meant to say that you can continue your degree program if you re-enter with your combo card. However, you would continue as a domestic student based on your legal presence during a pending Adjustment of Status, since your F1 student status would have ended.

 

If you want to play it ultra-safe and be able to fall back on your F1/I-20 to finish your degree on the slim chance that your AOS is denied, then you may want to avoid using the combo card. It's totally your call. But again, just make sure you're aware of your university's procedures.

 

Looks like based on your timeline history that you are pending AOS on the basis of marriage to a USC.

Not using the combo card would not change the fact that she has applied for AOS and is no longer an international student on an F-1 visa. She already has it, it is in the system. She can leave the country and come back using AP.

[eunahlee92 23]

4 minutes ago, N&K said:

I meant to say that you can continue your degree program if you re-enter with your combo card. However, you would continue as a domestic student based on your legal presence during a pending Adjustment of Status, since your F1 student status would have ended.

 

If you want to play it ultra-safe and be able to fall back on your F1/I-20 to finish your degree on the slim chance that your AOS is denied, then you may want to avoid using the combo card. It's totally your call. But again, just make sure you're aware of your university's procedures.

 

Looks like based on your timeline history that you are pending AOS on the basis of marriage to a USC.

 

1 minute ago, cyanmavi said:

Not using the combo card would not change the fact that she has applied for AOS and is no longer an international student on an F-1 visa. She already has it, it is in the system. She can leave the country and come back using AP.

Thank you guys! i see the hope! haha I will wait until my school international office and immigration service reply my email!