Got my GC approved while on vacation... Should I get it mailed to me?

[Bieloanya 6]

Hi guys, I hope you can provide me with some advice about my situation.

So, a couple of days before my departure for Europe for a family trip, I got called by an USCIS officer saying that he approved my GC that day.
I was so happy!!!

... But what about my trip? There was no way for me to get my GC in the mail before leaving.
So I asked the officer what my options were and he said that as long as I have a valid advance parole (which I do) I will be fine. Upon reentry, the officer admitting me will simply see that my GC was approved, but I should be able to get back in with the AP alone, without phisically having the GC in my hands (as it might take up to 30 days for them to mail to me), so that I should just go on my trip without worrying about it.

 

... Except that I DO worry about it as it's my experience that what one officer says might not be what another thinks and I believe I red somewhere that people were saying that you won't be admitted back in the country if you don't have your GC with you.

 

So I left 4 days ago (with my kid who is a USC), so now I'm in Europe and I just got notified that tomorrow my card will be delivered to my home address in the US.  I'm supposed to get back to the US in 12 days, so I might have the card mailed to me by my partner (USC) who stayed in the US... But it would be VERY expensive and there is always the risk of mail getting lost, so I'd rather avoid doing that if not really necessary.

 

What do you guys think? Does anyone have relevant experience to share? Should I get the card mailed to me or just trust the officer who approved my GC and said that I can use my advance parole to get back in?

[Crazy Cat 41,884]

I don't think I would mail the green card.  I would use my advance parole just as the officer said.  The officer was correct.

Edited September 30, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Verrou 1,962]

definitely no to mail your greencard. big risk

[Mike E 11,739]

Do not have your gc sent to you.  I-90 timelines are over two years if your gc is lost.  
 

It is 100 percent safe to enter the U.S. on your AP.  Just  tell the kids differ at the of entry that your gc arrived while to were abroad. 
 

 

 

 

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

Could somebody send you a picture of it? Just so you have something.

[arken 4,197]

You are worrying for no reason. What if you were returning back today? GC approved, in production or in shipping? You cannot show GC even if approved for it. Or what if the GC gets delivered to your US address in Nov only? That's the reason AP is created and you have it with you. Enjoy the GC approval and enjoy the vacation. 

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from AOS from Work/Student/Tourist Visas Progress Reports to Working & Traveling During US Immigration -- topic is about travel with AP ***