Forgive me if this is a really stupid question, but on top of all this I'm in my last semester of graduate school and I'm completely fried...

We just received notice yesterday that we've got the AOS interview next month. When we turned in the whole packet we omitted the AP part, mostly due to lack of funds at the time. The problem is, I can't remember if you actually need the AP once you're approved for AOS! If our interview is next month, and he's got no concrete plans to travel back home for at least two months or so, should we still go for the AP? I do realize that approval of AOS isn't exactly immediate... I'm just trying to figure out whether to go ahead and turn in the AP regardless of an interview date, or if you don't need it once you're approved. Thanks!!!

You don't need it after you have either an I-551 stamp in your passport, or your greencard in hand. You need something to show CBP when you pass through immigration.

If you are approved at your AOS interview, you don't need AP. If you are not approved due to security checks or whatever, you will not be able to travel until the security checks are finished, or you get AP.

Lots of people get their approvals at their AOS interviews, but not everybody does. So, it's a chance you have to decide if you want to take.

Good luck.

Thank you both very much!! I think we're just going to wait and see how the interview goes first. If we can actually save a bit of money on this, I would be completely amazed...

I did the same thing and have my interview on the 6th March, I need to travel at the beginning of May to go back home to graduate (no idea why we have to graduate almost a year after I finished my finals but there you go). I'm hoping that I'm approved cos I really want to get the chance to prance around in a ridiculous gown all day I'm gonna bug them for the stamp at the interview if I get approved, just in case the greeencard goes walkabouts in the mail.