Traveling with AP

[sensitivemuse 7]

So I went back home to Canada just last weekend.

 

Coming back to the USA, I gave them my AP document, and passport. Told them I was still waiting for my AOS outcome. Had a whole bunch of boxes with me (my 2nd half of the move) told them what was in them. Got sent to secondary.

 

Waited 2 hrs in line (this was at Peace Arch) (had to go washroom and they only have one there and there's a line up for that too so was doing the dance while waiting in line)

CBP looked at my documents, I gave him my Notice of Action for my AOS for further proof and to make things a little more quicker. (Plus I REALLY had to go bathroom at  this time)

Told me to take a seat while he looked at the car with our boxes in it. 

They called me up, filled out my document, told me every time I go into the USA I'll have to go into secondary so they can fill out the paperwork on my AP document. They also told me it normally doesn't take too long it was just a busy day at the border (we waited about 2 hrs for this whole process)

And that's it! we were done. 

 

In a nutshell: Just make sure all your documents are in order and bring your NOA for your AOS. It's pretty seamless after that. Also be prepared for long wait times - very crucial especially if you're taking a flight. 

 

Hope this helps!

[KimchiLumpia 315]

Interesting....

My wife (Canadian citizen) and I drove up to Vancouver over the weekend to use her AP/EAD combo card for the first time to visit her family.  It had been about 6 months since she came to the US on K1 Visa.

We came prepared with all her NOAs regarding her AOS that is being processed, her completed biometrics appointment, a copy of our marriage certificate, and all pertinent paperwork regarding our marriage and AOS.

We drove back this past Sunday via the Blaine truck crossing.   We handed the border agent my US passport, my wife's Canadian passport with K1 Visa in it, and her AP/EAD combo card.  The officer asked about 3-4 questions: how long we stayed, who we visited, what my wife's status was in the US.  The border agent was stern, yet, very friendly.

After a 3-4 minutes, he welcomed us back to the US and we were on our way.  No secondary inspection.  No request for additional papers or information.  

With that being said, we will still bring our additional NOAs and adjustment of status paperwork when visiting Canada again.  I think its all up to the discretion of the border agent.  You could get a laid back agent, or an agent that is more stringent.  

[Dashinka 24,497]

17 hours ago, sensitivemuse said:

So I went back home to Canada just last weekend.

 

Coming back to the USA, I gave them my AP document, and passport. Told them I was still waiting for my AOS outcome. Had a whole bunch of boxes with me (my 2nd half of the move) told them what was in them. Got sent to secondary.

 

Waited 2 hrs in line (this was at Peace Arch) (had to go washroom and they only have one there and there's a line up for that too so was doing the dance while waiting in line)

CBP looked at my documents, I gave him my Notice of Action for my AOS for further proof and to make things a little more quicker. (Plus I REALLY had to go bathroom at  this time)

Told me to take a seat while he looked at the car with our boxes in it. 

They called me up, filled out my document, told me every time I go into the USA I'll have to go into secondary so they can fill out the paperwork on my AP document. They also told me it normally doesn't take too long it was just a busy day at the border (we waited about 2 hrs for this whole process)

And that's it! we were done. 

 

In a nutshell: Just make sure all your documents are in order and bring your NOA for your AOS. It's pretty seamless after that. Also be prepared for long wait times - very crucial especially if you're taking a flight. 

 

Hope this helps!

Thanks for sharing.  I hope you finally were able to get to the bathroom.  

 

Good Luck!

[sensitivemuse 7]

LOL!!! yes! I did manage to go to the bathroom!