Traveling with AP & Tourist Visa

[ShanghaiSurfer 135]

I’m currently outside of the USA. I booked my flight under my passport name. I understand the airline might ask you for my marriage certificate with my AP to show name matches. I’ve read some horror stories about some airlines do not recognize the AP/EAD combo card. With that in mind do you recommend just using my ten year tourist visa which was never canceled when checking into the flight?

 

Also when I arrive back into USA. Do I go to the permanent resident/US citizen line or visitors immigration line? Do I just show the officer my combo card or need to show passport as well?

 

Thanks for your help in advance

[T_P 872]

3 minutes ago, ShanghaiSurfer said:

I’m currently outside of the USA. I booked my flight under my passport name. I understand the airline might ask you for my marriage certificate with my AP to show name matches. I’ve read some horror stories about some airlines do not recognize the AP/EAD combo card. With that in mind do you recommend just using my ten year tourist visa which was never canceled when checking into the flight?

 

Also when I arrive back into USA. Do I go to the permanent resident/US citizen line or visitors immigration line? Do I just show the officer my combo card or need to show passport as well?

 

Thanks for your help in advance

Great questions....

 

1- You are correct, some airlines companies do not know what a AP is, however this is what you have to use. I traveled with Air Canada back in January and had to explain to the agent what that was and she didnt complain or anything. I boarded just fine.

2- Arriving in US, you keep going to the immigration lane and US officers are aware of what a AP is and it will take them a while to "Perole" you into States, so dont worry it is just paper work procedure that they need to go thru.

 

Hope that helps.

[ShanghaiSurfer 135]

12 hours ago, T_P said:

Great questions....

 

1- You are correct, some airlines companies do not know what a AP is, however this is what you have to use. I traveled with Air Canada back in January and had to explain to the agent what that was and she didnt complain or anything. I boarded just fine.

2- Arriving in US, you keep going to the immigration lane and US officers are aware of what a AP is and it will take them a while to "Perole" you into States, so dont worry it is just paper work procedure that they need to go thru.

 

Hope that helps.

Thank you so much. With that in mind then will give the airline my AP card, passport, and marriage certificate. Fingers crossed. 

[T_P 872]

8 hours ago, ShanghaiSurfer said:

Thank you so much. With that in mind then will give the airline my AP card, passport, and marriage certificate. Fingers crossed. 

Good luck....remember to take all of your passports if old ones, specially the one with your K1 Visa. 

[ShanghaiSurfer 135]

1 hour ago, T_P said:

Good luck....remember to take all of your passports if old ones, specially the one with your K1 Visa. 

Thank you. My passport with my K1 and tourist visa is still valid. Will remember to bring in future when renew passport. Hopefully I’ll get my AOS approved before then :-)

[RandyW 149]

If you have any trouble, it will most likely be with an airline clerk. Simply call for a supervisor until you find someone who understands your documentation.

[ShanghaiSurfer 135]

On 2/20/2018 at 8:42 AM, RandyW said:

If you have any trouble, it will most likely be with an airline clerk. Simply call for a supervisor until you find someone who understands your documentation.

Thank you.

 

Here is what happened. Clerk asked me if I was using my tourist visa but then noticed I had been in states for 7 months. At that time I gave him my AP which he logged into the system. Interestingly he never asked for marriage certificate.

 

Upon arrival immigration officer took my passport and AP card. Asked if I was a student. I explained I married an American. Then he took me to a small room with a lady who made some calls. Told me to sit still and not turn around. Eventually stamped my passport with paroled.

 

The officer said next time use your legal name when entering. I didn’t understand what he meant. As the customs form I used my married name. I can only guess I was just supposed to give him my AP card and no passport. No idea if that’s true.

 

the stamp had a paroled date for one year. Does this mean my AP is extended by one year?