Travelling with my AP...what to bring .????

[trulove 1]

Hey everyone,

I checked the mail today and GOT my AP document in the mail!!!

My question is what do I need to take with me to show Customs officers on my way back into the US??

My ticket was booked under my maiden name cause my passport is under my maiden name. My AP document is under my married name.

Should I have booked my airline ticket under my married name??????

THanks soo much.

Edited December 18, 2010 by trulove

[marriedtomrg 140]

Just bring your marriage certificate with you.

Hey everyone,

I checked the mail today and GOT my AP document in the mail!!!

My question is what do I need to take with me to show Customs officers on my way back into the US??

My ticket was booked under my maiden name cause my passport is under my maiden name. My AP document is under my married name.

Should I have booked my airline ticket under my married name??????

THanks soo much.

[Inky 1,110]

your tickets HAVE to be booked in your passport name. Bring your marriage certificate with you untill you have your passport fixed.

[Amy and Nick 37]

your tickets HAVE to be booked in your passport name. Bring your marriage certificate with you untill you have your passport fixed.

[trulove 1]

your tickets HAVE to be booked in your passport name. Bring your marriage certificate with you untill you have your passport fixed.

thanks everyone for your sugguestions and help. What about the I-485 NOA?? I won't be hassled about having a AP and not the Green card???

[Inky 1,110]

No because you use the AP to travel! If you want to bring the NOA1 you can.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

thanks everyone for your sugguestions and help. What about the I-485 NOA?? I won't be hassled about having a AP and not the Green card???

AP is travel permission in lieu of a greencard. Once you get the greencard, you don't need the AP anymore, because the GC gives you travel permission and work permission built-in. So AP and greencard never go together! My husband used his AP with no problems. If you got a I-94 from your first entry (and didn't send it in with your I-485 already), I would take it out and keep it, in case they want to see your original at the interview (if you have one). Have a great trip!

[Krikit 1,163]

My question is what do I need to take with me to show Customs officers on my way back into the US??

You will need your passport and both copies of your AP document. You will be sent to secondary processing where they will keep one of your AP docs. The other they will stamp and give back to you with an expiry date corresponding to the expiry date on the AP. They will place an I-94 in your passport and take your biometrics. You may or may not have to pay the $6 I-94 fee but you will only have to pay it once as it is good until the expiry date on the I-94. You are then free to go.

My ticket was booked under my maiden name cause my passport is under my maiden name. My AP document is under my married name.

Should I have booked my airline ticket under my married name??????

You have booked your ticket correctly.

[Krikit 1,163]

If you got a I-94 from your first entry (and didn't send it in with your I-485 already), I would take it out and keep it, in case they want to see your original at the interview (if you have one). Have a great trip!

No, no. Please do not do this. The I-94 is removed at US Customs upon re-entry or by the ticket agent if you are boarding a flight. You can certainly keep a copy of the I-94 if you are concerned, but they will already have a copy of it with your AOS file.

[TBoneTX 43,078]

You are then free to go.

This may happen, but anyone seeking to re-enter the U.S. with use of the AP document is subject to refused entry on the basis of anything that the consulate or embassy could have found. The CBP agents can ask anything that they want, and use their discretion to permit or deny entry. Therefore, if the intending re-entrant has anything in his/her background that could cause a problem (a previous overstay, for example), it's best to wait until the green card is in hand before leaving the U.S., rather than seeking to re-enter with the much weaker AP document.

The above comes straight from an immigration attorney and from two CBP agents at different ports.

[trulove 1]

This may happen, but anyone seeking to re-enter the U.S. with use of the AP document is subject to refused entry on the basis of anything that the consulate or embassy could have found. The CBP agents can ask anything that they want, and use their discretion to permit or deny entry. Therefore, if the intending re-entrant has anything in his/her background that could cause a problem (a previous overstay, for example), it's best to wait until the green card is in hand before leaving the U.S., rather than seeking to re-enter with the much weaker AP document.

The above comes straight from an immigration attorney and from two CBP agents at different ports.

Well,I never have overstayed in the US or anywhere else in the world. Why issue a TRAVEL DOCUMENT thats approved to be refused entry?????

[Krikit 1,163]

Well,I never have overstayed in the US or anywhere else in the world. Why issue a TRAVEL DOCUMENT thats approved to be refused entry?????

It's okay, trulove. TBone's warning is not applicable in your case. His warning, although misplaced in this instance, refers to the problem of some pending AOS applicants being denied reentry for reasons they would normally have been denied. Nothing to do with your circumstances, however. Have a great trip.

[trulove 1]

It's okay, trulove. TBone's warning is not applicable in your case. His warning, although misplaced in this instance, refers to the problem of some pending AOS applicants being denied reentry for reasons they would normally have been denied. Nothing to do with your circumstances, however. Have a great trip.

Thanks Krikit! I was all stressed out! I went ahead and posted in the Canadian forum to get some experiences from fellow Canadians.

Merry Christmas to you and Happy Holidays!