AOS - Did you file for AP?

[nycheryl 0]

Hello!

It's time to start thinking about AOS (yippie!), and my fiance and I are debating on applying for AP. His family is from the Maritimes, so it may not be financially feasible for him to fly back there while we're waiting (flights are usually around $1000 RT from my home). Then again, we'd like to possibly be there for Christmas if we can, and I don't want him to feel "trapped" if he does get overwhelmingly homesick.

Did you or will you apply for AP?

[kzielu 1,149]

Why not apply ? It does not cost anything files with everything else so why even bother and ask the question ? Apply for it, worst case it will be unused.

[SF2007 48]

Did you or will you apply for AP?

My 2 cents: I did and so should he. When you file for AP/EAD same time as your AOS, it is free of charge. It does not delay your AOS application or impact it in anyway. It seems nowadays a GC takes roughly 6 months to get. It means if you apply in June, there is a chance he won't have his GC for Christmas. The delay for receiving your GC also depends if you have an RFE and if you have an interview as both pause the process. The liberty of knowing you can go see your loved ones should anything happen during the process is priceless.

Also, should he get bored, he can stat looking for employment as soon as his EAD comes in. I see no reason not to. It's an extra 2 forms that are really easy to complete.

[Inky 1,111]

I did not apply for AP. I had no need for it, my family is not in bad health or old or anything. My family came to visit me and we traveled in the US to visit his family ( no AP needed for that ). Was one less form and one less set of passport photos with supporting documents to send in.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

My 2 cents:

It's part of the fee anyway, there is no harm in doing it and what if gawd forbid there is a family emergency back home? It's just an extra piece of paper at this point so why not fill it out and have your bases covered just in case? For the extra few bucks for additional photos, seems worth it to me.

As noted - what if your GC processing takes even longer then expected, that would just suck if your hubster couldn't travel.

[Oksana & Max 94]

Since it is free go for it. You never know but it could become usefull. I am preparing my AOS packet now and will be applying for it in few weeks, and I will include for AP as well.

[nycheryl 0]

Why not apply ? It does not cost anything files with everything else so why even bother and ask the question ? Apply for it, worst case it will be unused.

I read that it was $360 to apply, which impacted our plans. I didn't realize the fee was waived if we apply during AOS!

Awesome, thanks, everyone!!

Edited March 14, 2012 by nycheryl

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I read that it was $360 to apply, which impacted our plans. I didn't realize the fee was waived if we apply during AOS!

Awesome, thanks, everyone!!

only if you applied separately - good news!

[SapphireDreams 71]

I would personally not feel right not having a passport or AP in case I ever needed to leave the country for WHATEVER reason.

He could potentially get a job that requires travel outside the country, something could happen at home he needs to go back for...all of it may be highly unlikely and he may never use it, but it's better to be safe than sorry!

It's also free and I believe it's now one card for both EAD/AP so that's also convenient.

[SF2007 48]

It's also free and I believe it's now one card for both EAD/AP so that's also convenient.

Yes, they do a EAD/AP combo card now.

[Dave&Roza 748]

I read that it was $360 to apply, which impacted our plans. I didn't realize the fee was waived if we apply during AOS!

Awesome, thanks, everyone!!

If you have already filed the AOS and now want to file for AP, you can does so and include a copy of the NOA from the USCIS for the I-485 inorder to wave the fee. Given the current processing times it might be a good idea to apply for AP as the GC might take 6 months or more to get.

Good Luck,

Dave

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Yes. It costs nothing, and if anything happens to family while I wait for my green card, I like knowing I can go home.

[Spoom 8]

I applied for both when I did my AOS; the AOS was approved first and they just abandoned the others. Like the others said, it costs nothing other than a little extra paperwork. I think if there's a life-or-death emergency and you don't yet have one you can also get an INFOPASS for an emergency AP.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Apply for it and consider it like a type of insurance. You may not ever need it but if you have a family emergency back home and have to travel quickly you will be glad you have it. Trying to get an emergency AP while time is of the essence is nerve-wracking and in some cases heart-breaking. We never expect emergencies but that doesn't mean we don't plan to address them when they arise. That is why we have car insurance, house insurance and life insurance. Consider this a type of emergency travel insurance - and this one is free.

My AOS took 22 months to process. I applied for AP and had to re-apply for the second AP - and this is when it did cost extra. I didn't use either but it gave me great peace of mind knowing I could quickly get home if something happened to my family. You'll appreciate the peace of mind whether you use it or not just knowing you have the option available.

Edited March 15, 2012 by Kathryn41

[Spoom 8]

I applied for AP and had to re-apply for the second AP - and this is when it did cost extra.

That's kinda some BS right there; that you should have to pay more because USCIS is taking longer. I agree with everything you said though.

Edited March 15, 2012 by Spoom