Can I renew my AP?

[Cndn 98]

So I was out of the US visiting my home country (Canada) when the whole pandemic just blew up. I plan on riding this thing out in Canada for as long as possible. I’ve been out of the US since mid December. My AP card expires in August. Can I renew my AP card to stay out of the US longer without jeopardizing my AOS application? I have two small children (both USCs) to think about and it’s safer up here right now than where I live in the US. 

[Just Paul 4,595]

9 minutes ago, Cndn said:

Can I renew my AP card to stay out of the US longer without jeopardizing my AOS application?

You can return to the US and file for another one. 

[Cndn 98]

1 minute ago, Paul & Mary said:

You can return to the US and file for another one. 

Ok. Has to be done from inside the US? 

[Just Paul 4,595]

7 minutes ago, Cndn said:

Ok. Has to be done from inside the US? 

Yes.

[geowrian 22,337]

6 minutes ago, Cndn said:

Ok. Has to be done from inside the US? 

Yes. AP based on a pending AOS can only be applied for within the US.

There is an option to obtain AP while outside the US, but that's for extraordinary measures with people who may be inadmissible, and is not to bypass the visa process.

While normally there is no issue returning with AP, it is to be paroled into the US, not admitted. Remember that a pending  AOS application, you are claiming a residence within the US. Be sure to maintain ties to the US and file your US tax returns. Also, claiming reidency outside the US - such as by using benefits reserved for residents (provincial coverage come sot mind) - may or may not become an issue.

[Cndn 98]

1 minute ago, geowrian said:

Yes. AP based on a pending AOS can only be applied for within the US.

There is an option to obtain AP while outside the US, but that's for extraordinary measures with people who may be inadmissible, and is not to bypass the visa process.

While normally there is no issue returning with AP, it is to be paroled into the US, not admitted. Remember that a pending  AOS application, you are claiming a residence within the US. Be sure to maintain ties to the US and file your US tax returns. Also, claiming reidency outside the US - such as by using benefits reserved for residents (provincial coverage come sot mind) - may or may not become an issue.

Thank you. I have made sure to pay privately for every doctor appointment for my son up here, and not use any benefits for residents. One doctor office actually billed MSP for half the cost of an appointment even when I told them not to, but I called them and had them charge me privately the full amount. I have no idea why they did that. I definitely am maintaining my residence in the US. I’m just staying at my mother’s until this thing clears up a bit. I’m really hoping I won’t run into a CBP officer who has an issue with how long I’ve been out of the US, but as far as I can see as long as I return before the expiry date on the AP and I don’t behave as a resident of this country then it appears I’m not breaking any rules.