Experience traveling with AP

[tidius 6]

Hi all,

I just returned from a trip overseas using AP since my AOS is still pending. I was a bit nervous before leaving the US and I got more confident after reading other people's experiences here in the forum, so I thought I'd share my own.

I'm adjusting from a K-1 fiancé visa and I traveled with my wife, who's American, though I don't think that made much of a difference. So we both joined the visitors line when we landed in Dulles and presented our passports and my EAD with AP to the immigration officer. He immediately said "You're adjusting" when he saw the card and then he only asked us how long had we been abroad (2 weeks), and then asked me where was I adjusting from. So I answered that I entered on a K-1 fiancé visa, then we got married, and then I applied for AOS. Finally, he only asked us if we carried any alcohol (a bottle of wine and another of Scotch, which was fine) and more than $10,000 (which we didn't). After taking my fingerprints, he told me that I'd get a "special stamp" later on and he sent us on our way.

We had to stay in line for a few minutes to go through customs and then the officer sent us aside, to secondary inspection. Another officer at a front desk took my passport, landing card, and EAD/AP card and told us to wait. We had to wait perhaps 30-40 minutes and it seemed that people go to secondary inspection for different reasons, some regarding immigration but others regarding issues with their luggage. Anyway, I was expecting further questioning by one of the other officers who were reviewing the documents and calling people out. When I was called to the desk, it was a bit awkward because the officer put my documents on the desk but didn't say anything, so I said "Hello!", he said "Hi" but nothing else, so I asked "All set?", he nodded and we were on our way. So no further questions asked. I got my "Paroled" stamp that lasts for a year, though I hope my green card arrives sooner than that.

Overall, then, it was a smoother experience than I had anticipated, with the waiting being the most inconvenient part.

[TBoneTX 43,020]

Thanks for your complete (and highly literate) report. Your description might make other travelers less apprehensive.

[Dirty harry 25]

Hi all,

I just returned from a trip overseas using AP since my AOS is still pending. I was a bit nervous before leaving the US and I got more confident after reading other people's experiences here in the forum, so I thought I'd share my own.

I'm adjusting from a K-1 fiancé visa and I traveled with my wife, who's American, though I don't think that made much of a difference. So we both joined the visitors line when we landed in Dulles and presented our passports and my EAD with AP to the immigration officer. He immediately said "You're adjusting" when he saw the card and then he only asked us how long had we been abroad (2 weeks), and then asked me where was I adjusting from. So I answered that I entered on a K-1 fiancé visa, then we got married, and then I applied for AOS. Finally, he only asked us if we carried any alcohol (a bottle of wine and another of Scotch, which was fine) and more than $10,000 (which we didn't). After taking my fingerprints, he told me that I'd get a "special stamp" later on and he sent us on our way.

We had to stay in line for a few minutes to go through customs and then the officer sent us aside, to secondary inspection. Another officer at a front desk took my passport, landing card, and EAD/AP card and told us to wait. We had to wait perhaps 30-40 minutes and it seemed that people go to secondary inspection for different reasons, some regarding immigration but others regarding issues with their luggage. Anyway, I was expecting further questioning by one of the other officers who were reviewing the documents and calling people out. When I was called to the desk, it was a bit awkward because the officer put my documents on the desk but didn't say anything, so I said "Hello!", he said "Hi" but nothing else, so I asked "All set?", he nodded and we were on our way. So no further questions asked. I got my "Paroled" stamp that lasts for a year, though I hope my green card arrives sooner than that.

Overall, then, it was a smoother experience than I had anticipated, with the waiting being the most inconvenient part.

Thank you for your experience it is very helpful.

Harry