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mrsdoe

Question on travel and passport renewal while waiting for AOS

By mrsdoe in Working & Traveling During US Immigration

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mrsdoe Newbie

mrsdoe   1

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Timeline
Posted

Hi there! I just got married in September and applied for AOS already along with the EAD/AP. I have undergone the biometrics, and also just received my EAD/AP card. We don't have an interview date yet but I believe we will get one by this week. I need to travel back to my home country very soon and have a couple of questions. If any one has had any experience with these, please do chime in!

1) I am travelling this week with only the AP. I assume this is ok, right?

2) My passport is expiring in May.

a) Can I renew my passport while I am back in my home country? Will it affect my reentry to the US?

--or--

b) Should I wait until after the AOS interview before I renew my passport?

3) If I need to wait until after the AOS interview, should I renew my passport in the US through my consulate, or should I renew it in April when I fly back there again?

Any comments on this would be much appreciated! Thanks!

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   43,057

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

*** Thread moved from AOS/Family-Based main forum to the Working & Traveling forum, where similar questions are often discussed. ***

[Moderator hat off]

If you renew your passport in your home country, bring the old and new ones back for re-entry. If you renew it by other means, such as through your consulate here, do the same -- bring both to the interview.

As a hint, from wife's personal experience: If you travel internationally with use of AP, take a copy of your marriage certificate with you. This can be helpful at POE, depending on the CBP agent.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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  • 2 weeks later...
Loving_girl Collaborator

Loving_girl   38

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ukraine
 Timeline
Posted

Hi there! I just got married in September and applied for AOS already along with the EAD/AP. I have undergone the biometrics, and also just received my EAD/AP card. We don't have an interview date yet but I believe we will get one by this week. I need to travel back to my home country very soon and have a couple of questions. If any one has had any experience with these, please do chime in!

1) I am travelling this week with only the AP. I assume this is ok, right? - YOU TRAVEL WITH EAD AP COMBO CARD, MARRIAGE PAPERS (I HAD ALL USCIS DOCS JUST IN CASE WITH ME)

2) My passport is expiring in May. - I HAD SAME SITUATION, NEEDED TO RENEW MY PASSPORT BACK IN MY COUNTRY. I RENEWED MY NEW PASSPORT ON MAIDEN NAME, IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE LAST NAME INTO MARRIED YOU NEED TO SEE WHAT DOCS YOU NEED BACK IN YOUR COUNTRY.

a) Can I renew my passport while I am back in my home country? Will it affect my reentry to the US? - NO RENEWED PASSPORT DOES NOT AFFECT YOUR REENTRY TO THE USA.

--or--'

b) Should I wait until after the AOS interview before I renew my passport? - I WAS NOT WAITING, NO PROBLEM WHAT SO EVER.

3) If I need to wait until after the AOS interview, should I renew my passport in the US through my consulate, or should I renew it in April when I fly back there again? - ALSO AN OPTION, BUT YOU NEED TO ASK CONSULATE HOW MUCH TIME IT TAKES THEM TO RENEW YOUR PASSPORT.

Any comments on this would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Conclusion: I traveled back to Ukraine to renew my passport and did it without any problems, I had my marriage docs with apostile and translated into Ukrainian (just in case) I kept my maiden name in new passport cos of ties in my country. Travelling back to the US with EAD AP card was easy, had marriage docs with me and I kept my old travel passport (just in case if someone wanted to see it, which never happened), on US border I showed my new passport on maiden name and EAD AP on married name, they paroled me for 1 year. No questions, no problems, all smooth.

Good luck!

K-1 timeline:

11-07-2013 - I-129F form sent ---> 11-15-2013 - NOA1 - e-mail received, transferred to California Service Center.

11-20-2013 - Alien registration number changed.

11-22-2013 - NOA1 hardcopy (I-797C)

12-13-2013 - NOA2 approval notification ---> 12-20-2013 - NOA2 hardcopy

01-08-2014 - NVC recieved ---->01-09-2014 - NVC left

01-13-2014 - Consulate recieved ----> 01-14-2014 - E-mail from the Consulate

01-16-2014 - NVC letter hardcopy ----> 01-23-2014- Medical done

02-18-2014- Interview (Approved) ----> 02-20-2014- Visa issued ----> 02-24-2014- Visa in hand

03-02-2014- US entry --->03-20-2014 - Social Security Number recieved --->04-24-2014 - Wedding

AOS timeline:

05-13-2014 - AOS package sent ---> 05-21-2014- NOA1 - e-mail received

05-24-2014 - NOA1 hardcopy (I-797C)

06-03-2014 - Biometrics appointment letter (for June 13)

06-12-2014 - USCIS web status for RFE

06-13-2014 - Biometrics done

06-16-2014 - RFE hardcopy in mail ---> 06-18-2014 - RFE answer sent by mail ---> 06-20-2014 - RFE delivered

08-05-2014 - EAD/ AP - APPROVED!!!! ---> 08-13-2014 - EAD/AP card delivered

09-05-2014 - InfoPass due to RFE and SSN (RFE delievered June 23 to NBC).

10-17-2014 - SSN recieved on married name ---> 12-12-2014 - update on USCIS web (RFE received on June 23), the case could not be tracked

02-17-2015 - GC approved (no interview) ---> 02-26-2015 - GC RECEIVED

08-13-2016 - address change via web --->09-13-2016 - Address change via mail (web failed to change correctly) --->10-06-2016 - Address change of sponsor

ROC:

11-21-2016 - package sent to CSC ---> 11-22-2016 - package delivered to CSC ---> 11-25-2016 - check cashed--->11-28-2016- NOA1 (dated 11/22/16) --->12-20-2016 -Biometrics appointment

07-18-2017-address change-> 05-10-2018 - GC Approved

N-400:

02-15-18 - Applied -> 03-09-18 - Bio app-> 04-04-18-interview notice-> 05-09-18-interview->05-10-18 - approved -> 06-07-18 - Oath appt notice -> 06-27-18 - Oath ceremony

 

 

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mrsdoe Newbie

mrsdoe   1

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Hi guys, thanks so much for your replies. Just got back to my home country a couple days ago and am a little out of it. Will go ahead and renew my passport then. Yayy!! Made copies of my marriage certificate like you guys suggested, fingers crossed the nice people at immigration will just let me on my way without any hassle. Loving_girl, many thanks for your very detailed answer. I will use your tips when renewing!

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FROWNcat Enthusiast

FROWNcat   22

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country:
Timeline
Posted

Hi guys, thanks so much for your replies. Just got back to my home country a couple days ago and am a little out of it. Will go ahead and renew my passport then. Yayy!! Made copies of my marriage certificate like you guys suggested, fingers crossed the nice people at immigration will just let me on my way without any hassle. Loving_girl, many thanks for your very detailed answer. I will use your tips when renewing!

So no problems at all although it's expiring in May? Mine also is and I wanted to leave in March, April maybe. I hope they won't stop me somewhere here. I know once I'm in Europe I can use my ID only. If you can back to me or PM me I'd appreciate it.

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Pitaya Grand Master

Pitaya   2,576

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

Hi guys, thanks so much for your replies. Just got back to my home country a couple days ago and am a little out of it. Will go ahead and renew my passport then. Yayy!! Made copies of my marriage certificate like you guys suggested, fingers crossed the nice people at immigration will just let me on my way without any hassle. Loving_girl, many thanks for your very detailed answer. I will use your tips when renewing!

It sounds like everything is going as planned with no problems, thanks to the helpful responses from VJ folks.

When you get a chance, :time: It helps everyone that uses the forum, or is helped by the forum.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Completed: K1/K2 (271 days) - AOS/EAD/AP (134 days) - ROC (279 days)

"Si vis amari, ama" - Seneca

 

 

 

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Loving_girl Collaborator

Loving_girl   38

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ukraine
 Timeline
Posted

So no problems at all although it's expiring in May? Mine also is and I wanted to leave in March, April maybe. I hope they won't stop me somewhere here. I know once I'm in Europe I can use my ID only. If you can back to me or PM me I'd appreciate it.

leaving the USA they don´t care about your passport expiration dates, they just check you for the flights and that´s it.

K-1 timeline:

11-07-2013 - I-129F form sent ---> 11-15-2013 - NOA1 - e-mail received, transferred to California Service Center.

11-20-2013 - Alien registration number changed.

11-22-2013 - NOA1 hardcopy (I-797C)

12-13-2013 - NOA2 approval notification ---> 12-20-2013 - NOA2 hardcopy

01-08-2014 - NVC recieved ---->01-09-2014 - NVC left

01-13-2014 - Consulate recieved ----> 01-14-2014 - E-mail from the Consulate

01-16-2014 - NVC letter hardcopy ----> 01-23-2014- Medical done

02-18-2014- Interview (Approved) ----> 02-20-2014- Visa issued ----> 02-24-2014- Visa in hand

03-02-2014- US entry --->03-20-2014 - Social Security Number recieved --->04-24-2014 - Wedding

AOS timeline:

05-13-2014 - AOS package sent ---> 05-21-2014- NOA1 - e-mail received

05-24-2014 - NOA1 hardcopy (I-797C)

06-03-2014 - Biometrics appointment letter (for June 13)

06-12-2014 - USCIS web status for RFE

06-13-2014 - Biometrics done

06-16-2014 - RFE hardcopy in mail ---> 06-18-2014 - RFE answer sent by mail ---> 06-20-2014 - RFE delivered

08-05-2014 - EAD/ AP - APPROVED!!!! ---> 08-13-2014 - EAD/AP card delivered

09-05-2014 - InfoPass due to RFE and SSN (RFE delievered June 23 to NBC).

10-17-2014 - SSN recieved on married name ---> 12-12-2014 - update on USCIS web (RFE received on June 23), the case could not be tracked

02-17-2015 - GC approved (no interview) ---> 02-26-2015 - GC RECEIVED

08-13-2016 - address change via web --->09-13-2016 - Address change via mail (web failed to change correctly) --->10-06-2016 - Address change of sponsor

ROC:

11-21-2016 - package sent to CSC ---> 11-22-2016 - package delivered to CSC ---> 11-25-2016 - check cashed--->11-28-2016- NOA1 (dated 11/22/16) --->12-20-2016 -Biometrics appointment

07-18-2017-address change-> 05-10-2018 - GC Approved

N-400:

02-15-18 - Applied -> 03-09-18 - Bio app-> 04-04-18-interview notice-> 05-09-18-interview->05-10-18 - approved -> 06-07-18 - Oath appt notice -> 06-27-18 - Oath ceremony

 

 

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mrsdoe Newbie

mrsdoe   1

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Timeline
  • Author
Posted

FROWNcat, yes they didn't check my passport on the way out. I don't think it's a problem if you intend to fly back to your home country. Hope this helps!

A&B - will fill out my timeline when I get a chance. Since I got back I have been on the go constantly, running errands and picking up loose ends. Will make sure my experience helps others too!

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