Great if someone can sort this out for me...
Ive just applied for AP to go to Scandinavia in aug/sept. Read somewhere on Uscis website that I can request the AP approval to be sent to the Embassy in my homecountry for me to pick up there, since I dont need it to leave the US but to re-enter after my abroad visit. Is this right? Cause today when I browsed through the i-131 application yet another time it said something about not being permitted to leave the US until Ive gotten the approval, IF i filed the AP application from the US, which I have done. So what is right? If I can leave but not re-enter until the approval, I might do just that, leave earlier, work abroad another month and wait for the AP to be sent over to the Swedish embassy. Hmm...
Also, does anyone know the INS take on rescheduling for the AOS interview? I have gotten very different answers from INS when Ive called their help-line and asked about this, since I might be abroad when they schedule me and hubby for the interview. First person on help line said that rescheduling wont effect my status or green card process anything, just delay due to the re-scheduling. The other person told me that I might be pushed back basically to the end of the line again by rescheduling and it would be up to me to take that risk and travel. I also asked her if I risk my status by rescheduling ( I can deal with waiting some more, but not risking my status, this has been a loooooooong and costly and tiresome process which we finally see some end to), but she kept giving me this weird answer about "its up to you if you want to take that risk" but without really answering my question.
Alright, any input on this is very helpful, you guys rock way better than cranky help-line people...

/Ladyzoul, MD.

You cannot leave the country until AP is in your hand. You will not get it at the embassy.

does anyone know the INS take on rescheduling for the AOS interview?

Some people have had luck rescheduling & some have not. Your call. I would postpone your holiday until you have it & not take the risk.

If you leave the US without AP being approved you will be abandoning your AOS application and will have to file for a K3/CR1 from outside the US.....

There have been many people who have tried to reschedule their AOS interview and have ended up with a letter of denial.... one case was where a couple were at the hospital because the wife was having their baby.... yes they got it sorted out but it took time and the cost of a immigration lawyer to sort it....

I would not recommend trying to reschedule you appointment.... you say you have come this far and it has been a long journey..... why would you want to do anything that might make it even longer or involve new visa's to return...

Kez

Thanks guys!
Your answers will definetily make me re-think this whole trip now, and stay here and wait for the papers, like you said, Im not gonna risk anything when we're at the finishing line. The first person on the help-line told me re-scheduling was not a reason for denial though, but it would of course prolong getting the green card, but hey, she might be wrong... Thanks again for fast replies, peace!
/ Lady Z.

I am in the middle of this exact dilemma! The New Orleans office has been taking 18-24 months to process AOS applications for quite some time now. With that in mind I purchased two grand worth of airline tickets last month.

Guess what? New Orleans zoomed ahead last month by eight months! This potentially place my interview in the time frame for when I plan to be out of country on vacation for two months. I have read accounts of people getting interview notices for three or four days later. So I am worried about missing notification or getting one for my scheduled and paid for airfare times.

I spoke with a Consular Officer on the help line and she was useless and rude. I have requested my senators immigrations liason to seek help on my behalf. I will let you know what transpires.

t

My thought either hold off on the trip til you know when your interview is... OR... have someone available to be checking your mail and potentially have to abandon your trip.