Travelling outside US when GC is "in production" but before received

[OjosAzules 0]

Here's a tricky question to which I hope someone might be able to provide some insight-

We did not apply for AP, and our AOS has been transferred to the California service center. Technically, if our case is approved and we get a "in production" email, could my wife travel outside the US and wait for me to bring her the green card when it arrives in the mail? then we could both enter the US together on the way back?

Is there any rule that says you have to wait to get your green card before leaving the country? is there any stamp or anything you get before leaving on the green card?

Thanks!

[raymaga 25]

I definitely would NOT leave the U.S. without the GC in hand.

You are not allowed to leave the U.S. without either AP or an approved GC. It is not permissible to be outside the U.S. without AOS approval.

If you were to be asked when your wife left the U.S., you would have to tell the truth about it being before the GC was approved, and then you would not be allowed in the U.S. because you did not have AP at the time of leaving the U.S.

You will have to make up your own mind about this, but my advice would be to wait until you have the GC in your hand.

[Krikit 1,164]

Here's a tricky question to which I hope someone might be able to provide some insight-

We did not apply for AP, and our AOS has been transferred to the California service center. Technically, if our case is approved and we get a "in production" email, could my wife travel outside the US and wait for me to bring her the green card when it arrives in the mail? then we could both enter the US together on the way back?

Is there any rule that says you have to wait to get your green card before leaving the country? is there any stamp or anything you get before leaving on the green card?

Thanks!

As long as your wife doesn't leave the country until after the AOS has been approved, I don't see a problem with your plan. Unless, of course, the GC doesn't arrive or it comes with a major error.

Edited October 1, 2007 by Krikit

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Here's a tricky question to which I hope someone might be able to provide some insight-

We did not apply for AP, and our AOS has been transferred to the California service center. Technically, if our case is approved and we get a "in production" email, could my wife travel outside the US and wait for me to bring her the green card when it arrives in the mail? then we could both enter the US together on the way back?

Is there any rule that says you have to wait to get your green card before leaving the country? is there any stamp or anything you get before leaving on the green card?

Thanks!

As long as your wife doesn't leave the country until after the AOS has been approved, I don't see a problem with your plan.

DO NOT LEAVE THE US WITHOUT YOUR GREENCARD.........

Your greencard could go missing in the mail...... mine did... your greencard could arrive with an error on it..... 1000's have.....

If you get approved and you need to travel within a few days of approval you can try to get a I-551 stamp in your passport... you would need to make an infopass appointment at your local office and ask.... not all offices will give you the stamp and you will need to take evidence of your impending travel....

DO NOT ABANDON YOUR AOS BY LEAVING THE COUNTRY WITHOUT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS....

Kez

[Cassie 8]

You can take your "you have been approved" letter --- letter, NOT email -- to your local district office to try and get the stamp in your passport and then you will be able to travel. Otherwise, wait for the card in hand. It's not worth it to travel without what you need.

[OjosAzules 0]

You can take your "you have been approved" letter --- letter, NOT email -- to your local district office to try and get the stamp in your passport and then you will be able to travel. Otherwise, wait for the card in hand. It's not worth it to travel without what you need.

Thank you all! Going by the strong advice of the respondants, we will wait til we have the approval letter, make an infopass appointment and then try to get a stamp....

sounds like it's not worth the risk.