Travel while waiting for GC

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

If your husband's green card is already in production, he won't receive AP. 

CBP agents can access his files when entering back to the country and they would know his status, but they could deny him entry. As someone else stated, without a proper travel document -AP, green card- he wouldn't be able to board any flight into the US. 

 

The green card tends to arrive around a week after approval. If there was any kind of delay, you can schedule an info pass at your local office and ask for an I-551 stamp on your husband's passport.

Edited July 5, 2019 by Allaboutwaiting

[Monicalalfonso 67]

TY ALL!!!!

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, Paul & Mary said:

I can't find anyplace that says she can get a I-551 stamp with an approval letter.

If you search forums like VJ, you'll find examples of individuals getting the I-551 (aka ADIT) stamp with an approval letter. They go to the Field Office with an Infopass appointment or a document services appointment. The following page has a response from USCIS; http://hammondlawgroup.com/healthcareblog/2015/11/06/how-do-you-prove-your-employment-authorization-after-your-i-485-interview-but-before-you-receive-your-green-card/

Quote

When an applicant’s adjustment of status application is approved, USCIS systems are updated to reflect his or her new status as a lawful resident. With that system update, the applicant is mailed an I-797 approval notice; the Permanent Resident Card usually follows within approximately three weeks. Upon notification of their adjustment of status approval, applicants must surrender the EAD as the authority under which the EAD was granted no longer applies to the alien’s status. USCIS will not direct field offices to provide an I-551 stamp at the conclusion of an adjustment interview. An ADIT stamp may be provided before the arrival of the Permanent Resident Card at the discretion of the field office. An applicant will also still be recognized as employment authorized in the e-verify and SAVE systems should an inquiry be made between the date that a Form I-485 is approved and when the Permanent Resident Card is received.

 

1 hour ago, wbeem said:

If you are lucky enough to get an InfoPass  quickly, you *may* be able to get his passport stamped.

Some field offices no longer have Infopass appointments and state: "This office is not accepting walk-in requests or scheduling InfoPass appointments." "If you need help with document services (such as passport stamps and advance parole) or have an emergency, call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283."

Edited July 5, 2019 by HRQX

[WandY 430]

2 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

They need either AP or GC. No way around it.  I can't find anyplace that says she can get a I-551 stamp with an approval letter.

 

That's correct. My wife has been waiting on her 10-year GC for many months. Her 2-year conditional GC expired and she wanted to go to Vietnam. All she had was the expired GC and the I-751approval - just a piece of paper. She asked our USCIS office for a stamp and they said "No. We only give a stamp if your I-751 approval letter expires before you get your permanent GC." They seemed pretty solid on that position. We traveled on her expired GC and the approval letter. She received some scrutiny, but we weren't held up in Vietnam, China, or the U.S.

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, WandY said:

All she had was the expired GC and the I-751approval - just a piece of paper.

This thread is about after receiving I-485 approval letter but before physically receiving the card; somewhat different to your circumstances. It's at the Field Office's discretion on whether or not to provide an I-551 stamp.

 

Also, is your I-751 is still pending? Your VJ timeline and your post in this thread don't seem to match up: https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=217918

Edited July 6, 2019 by HRQX

[HRQX 4,145]

4 hours ago, geowrian said:

There's also the very real risk that the case will be reopened for reconsideration before the GC is issued. My friend recently had this happen....approval in February (not just at the interview...actual official notice), reopened shortly afterwards, and the GC arrived just this week.

What is the "Resident Since" date listed on the card? Is it a date near February or a later date?

 

Agreed, that's a risk. But AFAIK that is rare after receiving the approval notice.

Edited July 6, 2019 by HRQX

[geowrian 22,337]

13 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Agreed, that's a risk. But AFAIK that is rare after receiving the approval notice.

Indeed it is. But it would really suck to come all this way and then have to fight for a boarding foil abroad or - worse - having to start over with a spousal visa due to exiting the US without AP and the case being reopened.

Edited July 6, 2019 by geowrian

[HRQX 4,145]

22 minutes ago, geowrian said:

But it would really suck to come all this way and then ya e to fight for a boarding foil abroad or - worse - having to start over with a spousal visa due to exiting the US without AP and the case being reopened.

You mention a boarding foil. Would that be needed to re-enter if:

1. Your friend received the I-485 approval letter
2. USCIS FO used their discretion and provided an I-551 stamp
3. Your friend traveled abroad
4. While abroad, the "we reopened your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, Receipt Number..." letter is delivered to friend's house. (Your friend's partner/spouse sends a picture of the letter to your friend) The date of this letter was also during the trip abroad.

Edited July 6, 2019 by HRQX

[geowrian 22,337]

29 minutes ago, HRQX said:

You mention a boarding foil. Would that be needed to re-enter if:

1. Your friend received the I-485 approval letter
2. USCIS FO used their discretion and provided an I-551 stamp
3. Your friend traveled abroad
4. While abroad, the "we reopened your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, Receipt Number..." letter is delivered to friend's house. (Your friend's partner/spouse sends a picture of the letter to your friend) The date of this letter was also during the trip abroad.

With a valid stamp, there would be no need for a boarding foil. The boarding foil is just to get on the plane, which shouldn't be an issue with the I-551 stamp.

[cute_pretzel 49]

Doesn't the AP usually get approved and arrive months earlier than GC? If you 485 has already been approved, you should've received AP card which would allow you to travel?

[NikLR 13,227]

30 minutes ago, cute_pretzel said:

Doesn't the AP usually get approved and arrive months earlier than GC? If you 485 has already been approved, you should've received AP card which would allow you to travel?

Usually but the OP had a very quick AOS process and no AP will happen now that the green card has been approved.  OP must wait for the green card or get an I-551 stamp (which is unlikely.)

[cute_pretzel 49]

2 minutes ago, NikLR said:

Usually but the OP had a very quick AOS process and no AP will happen now that the green card has been approved.  OP must wait for the green card or get an I-551 stamp (which is unlikely.)

Got it. Then 551 stamp seems to be the best option.

 

Another possible solution is asking family or friends to mail the card to them when it arrives.

[Just Paul 4,595]

25 minutes ago, cute_pretzel said:

Another possible solution is asking family or friends to mail the card to them when it arrives.

The risk is what happens if it gets "Lost" in the mail.

[HRQX 4,145]

41 minutes ago, NikLR said:

Usually but the OP had a very quick AOS process and no AP will happen now that the green card has been approved.  OP must wait for the green card or get an I-551 stamp (which is unlikely.)

As mentioned upthread it's at the FO's discretion. They can either provide the stamp:

On 11/3/2018 at 4:23 PM, mushroomspore said:

they will stamp the passport and it will allow you to re-enter the US after international travel. Just be aware that CBP must take you to secondary inspection to verify the stamp and your status at the POE. We had to travel 2 days to Canada (my home country) after our interview and this is what we did. We came back without any issues. 

or refuse to provide it.

[NikLR 13,227]

3 hours ago, HRQX said:

As mentioned upthread it's at the FO's discretion. They can either provide the stamp:

or refuse to provide it.

yes I read that..