What would you do???

[bestofluck 121]

Dear VJ Fellows Please Advise!

 

So, I've been in conversation with this production company for a few months now for an upcoming TV production(I work in the film industry.) They offered me a position end of last year. But I need to travel outside the US during the 6 months of production possibly March to September. We filed our AOS and my AP+EAD December 27th, biometrics appointment January 31st, expecting AP+EAD mid-March. The company is not US based, so EAD is not an issue. Plus I still have my EAD from my previous visa.

 

My concerns are:

1): Our interview may be scheduled during the time I'm abroad. In that case, we will have to reschedule the interview. I've seen posts about unsuccessful rescheduling, can anyone advise us on this? 

 

2): With the AP, can you be outside the US for over 6 months while AOS pending and come back to the US without a problem? Do I need to travel back to the US every 2-3 months to keep the time frame shorter? If I can't come back to the US after 6 months of travel what should I do?

 

3): Will it be a red flag for the interview officer to see that I was away for so long? But the nature of my job is largely based on travel, 90% of the big gigs I get are not local. 

 

I'm very frustrated because this is one of the kind opportunity and, to be honest, I already gave up two very big gigs last year in order to get through all the immigration procedure. And in the film industry, everyone knows everyone, I'm afraid if I say no to too many gigs, people will stop asking... Plus, I haven't got any big gig for a long time.

 

What would you do in this situation??? Thank you!

[Roel 7,192]

I don't think your previous EAD is valid still. Your previous visa was canceled the moment you received your K1 visa I assume.

 

I think I'd ask myself whats more important, immigration or work.

[bestofluck 121]

8 minutes ago, Roel said:

I don't think your previous EAD is valid still. Your previous visa was canceled the moment you received your K1 visa I assume.

 

I think I'd ask myself whats more important, immigration or work.

Thank you for your input Roel, I was in the US while I met my partner, on F1 visa and I think I'm still on F1 visa since my AOS is still pending and my F1 hasn't expired yet, in this case my EAD from F1 visa OPT should be valid. 

 

You are right, I should ask which is more important. But this is such a hard question. In order to be with our loved ones, we sacrifice so much the worse part sometimes is our career. Here I would think there is a perfect solution that allows me to work abroad and maintain my AOS status. The more I think about this the more I realize what a crazy world we are living in that there are so many boundaries keeping us apart...  

[payxibka 10,045]

10 minutes ago, bestofluck said:

Thank you for your input Roel, I was in the US while I met my partner, on F1 visa and I think I'm still on F1 visa since my AOS is still pending and my F1 hasn't expired yet, in this case my EAD from F1 visa OPT should be valid. 

 

You are right, I should ask which is more important. But this is such a hard question. In order to be with our loved ones, we sacrifice so much the worse part sometimes is our career. Here I would think there is a perfect solution that allows me to work abroad and maintain my AOS status. The more I think about this the more I realize what a crazy world we are living in that there are so many boundaries keeping us apart...  

 If you depart before receiving AP your application to adjust will be abandoned

Edited February 4, 2018 by payxibka

[Boiler 45,516]

Tell the production company what is going on and that you may need to return to the US for you interview, you will get notice.

[bestofluck 121]

1 hour ago, payxibka said:

 If you depart before receiving AP your application to adjust will be abandoned

Thank you for the heads up. I agree it won't be wise to travel without AP.

 

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

Tell the production company what is going on and that you may need to return to the US for you interview, you will get notice.

It is a very good idea, in fact, I mentioned this to the production company, but they didn't promise I will be able to leave the production to return for the interview. 

 

At this point, I just hope there is a miracle that we can have our interview before I start working...