AP and I-94

[thatbritishlass 2]

Helloooo

My AP was approved today, woot woot, and I intend to use it within the next few weeks to get in a cheeky visit to the motherland before I get a job and succumb to the American lack of vacation time

I do have one question regarding what happens with my I-94 card when I leave the country. Do they take it as normal or should I make sure I retain it? Obviously quite crucial I get this right...

Either way, on my return trip I presume I will need to fill out another white I-94 form?

Thanks for all help

[Zen Den 18]

Helloooo

My AP was approved today, woot woot, and I intend to use it within the next few weeks to get in a cheeky visit to the motherland before I get a job and succumb to the American lack of vacation time

I do have one question regarding what happens with my I-94 card when I leave the country. Do they take it as normal or should I make sure I retain it? Obviously quite crucial I get this right...

Either way, on my return trip I presume I will need to fill out another white I-94 form?

Thanks for all help

the form is filled out every time you arrive/leave. yes it will be taken and you'll get a new one upon return to the US

[Inky 1,110]

I would make a copy of front and back of the I-94 and keep it in your files before it is removed from your passport.

[thatbritishlass 2]

Thank you both slightly different question now, my USCIS notification on my AP today was 'post decision activity' and that they had mailed an approval notice to me. Is what they're sending me my actual AP or will that come later?

Ta ever so

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Helloooo

My AP was approved today, woot woot, and I intend to use it within the next few weeks to get in a cheeky visit to the motherland before I get a job and succumb to the American lack of vacation time

I do have one question regarding what happens with my I-94 card when I leave the country. Do they take it as normal or should I make sure I retain it? Obviously quite crucial I get this right...

Either way, on my return trip I presume I will need to fill out another white I-94 form?

Thanks for all help

Ooh ooh! pick me pick me pick me! I called CBP and asked them about this exact question when my husband was going to use AP. The above is incorrect.

CBP officer told me that we should KEEP the I-94 and NOT give it to anyone upon departure. The reason was that technically, that I-94 should been given to USCIS by now (yes, they only ask for a photocopy, but this is probably a more practical consideration in case what you send in gets lost, you can send a replacement). The reason being, you are no longer entering OR exiting on your K-1 visa. You are in a new category, which changed while you were here. You are traveling on AP now. You should exit and reenter on AP. Furthermore, this is your proof of entry on the K-1, should you have an interview. We wrote a note explaining why we took it out of the passport, but no one cared. I wanted to be sure no one tried to take it (this is what CBP told me to do). When he got back, yes, he filled out a new I-94 and it was stamped with a special AP stamp.

When we went to the interview (you may not have one), the IO took my husband's passport and went to take the I-94 out of it (happened to be the new AP one), then had a funny look on his face. I said "oh! I have the original one!" and the officer looked relieved and gladly accepted both I-94s as evidence.

Keep your I-94 and exit and reenter on AP. Once you have GC in hand, you can send the I-94s to USCIS for their records. Good luck and have a great holiday!

Edit: and yes, the approval notice is the AP itself.

Edited February 13, 2011 by Harpa Timsah

[Krikit 1,163]

I do have one question regarding what happens with my I-94 card when I leave the country. Do they take it as normal or should I make sure I retain it? Obviously quite crucial I get this right...

Either way, on my return trip I presume I will need to fill out another white I-94 form?

This is how all my reentries on the AP were handled: When you leave the US they will not remove the I-94. When you return to the US you will be sent to secondary where they will remove the old I-94 and issue you a new one. So, yes, you fill out another form. They will stamp both of the AP documents you give them and return one to you. They will keep the other. The new I-94 and stamp will show an expiry date matching your AP expiry. You will then continue to use this document until you receive your GC, but you will no longer need to fill out an I-94.... but you will continue to be sent to secondary until you have a GC.

[thatbritishlass 2]

Thanks all for the information it sounds like there are a lot of different experiences out there, but I will most definitely be making a copy of the I-94 before I go anywhere!

Returning to the Motherland on March 9th, SO excited

[Krikit 1,163]

it sounds like there are a lot of different experiences out there,

From what Zen Den and Harpah have written, I would venture to say that they have never actually entered the US on an AP.

[JoannaV 173]

From what Zen Den and Harpah have written, I would venture to say that they have never actually entered the US on an AP.

Zen Den's timeline shows receipt of AP, trip to the Philippines and back, and then receipt of green card.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

From what Zen Den and Harpah have written, I would venture to say that they have never actually entered the US on an AP.

My husband "actually" used his AP, and I have written exactly what happened. I called CBP beforehand and asked them specifically about the original I-94, and the woman I spoke with was very informed, and made sure to look up all of the regulations on it and I spoke with her for about a half hour. She advised to not give up the old one, and as I said, the IO was very pleased we still had the original one, when we went to interview. I didn't think he needed to fill out another I-94 when he came back, but the CBP made him, and he got an AP stamp on it. That I-94 was also given up at the interview.

My explanation is the results of my research into this and also personal experience.

Have you considered that perhaps regulations have changed since you used your AP?

Edited February 16, 2011 by Harpa Timsah