Recent Experience Returning to US with AP Combo Card

[Up and Away 10]

Just wanted to share my recent experience travelling out of the country on a honeymoon with my husband, and returning to the USA using my combo card. These were the documents I had brought with me:

-passport

-combo card

-appointment letter for my GC interview (to show that my application is pending)

-marriage certificate

Since my husband is a USC, we asked the customs employees which line we should wait in --the USC line or the visitors line. They told us the visitors line, so that's where we went. Later, another customs employee told us that next time, we should go in the USC line. There probably won't be a "next time" but I think that might be a better route because the officer at the USC kiosk might be less... scrutinizing. Don't know, just a theory.

Anyway, we went to the visitor line and I had to fill out a new I-94. The officer looked at my combo card as if he had never seen it before in his life. He was like, "What is this?" He was very nice but he was puzzled. He went away to ask someone about it, came back, took my prints, stamped our stuff, and sent us to secondary processing. We asked why and he said it was because he had never seen the combo card before. Like I said, he was very nice throughout the whole thing.

We went to secondary and waited until we were called up. The officer seemed to be familiar with the card and simply stamped my stuff a couple more times and wished us on our way.

They did not ask to see more documentation, not even our marriage certificate. Pretty easy.

If I had to do this again, I would definitely bring the cover letter that came with my combo card. That way I can just hand it over to the first officer instead of saying, "It's a combo card" without providing any additional info. And perhaps if I had done that, we would not have gotten sent back to secondary.

I was surprised that the combo card was not recognized since I was at a big airport (Maimi!) and that card has been around for a while now.

Hope this helps anyone else out there curious about traveling on AP!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Great review and glad you had no troubles. I believe someone traveling on AP will always be sent to secondary, so don't worry!

[RandyN 10]

Just wanted to share my recent experience travelling out of the country on a honeymoon with my husband, and returning to the USA using my combo card. These were the documents I had brought with me:

-passport

-combo card

-appointment letter for my GC interview (to show that my application is pending)

-marriage certificate

Since my husband is a USC, we asked the customs employees which line we should wait in --the USC line or the visitors line. They told us the visitors line, so that's where we went. Later, another customs employee told us that next time, we should go in the USC line. There probably won't be a "next time" but I think that might be a better route because the officer at the USC kiosk might be less... scrutinizing. Don't know, just a theory.

Anyway, we went to the visitor line and I had to fill out a new I-94. The officer looked at my combo card as if he had never seen it before in his life. He was like, "What is this?" He was very nice but he was puzzled. He went away to ask someone about it, came back, took my prints, stamped our stuff, and sent us to secondary processing. We asked why and he said it was because he had never seen the combo card before. Like I said, he was very nice throughout the whole thing.

We went to secondary and waited until we were called up. The officer seemed to be familiar with the card and simply stamped my stuff a couple more times and wished us on our way.

They did not ask to see more documentation, not even our marriage certificate. Pretty easy.

If I had to do this again, I would definitely bring the cover letter that came with my combo card. That way I can just hand it over to the first officer instead of saying, "It's a combo card" without providing any additional info. And perhaps if I had done that, we would not have gotten sent back to secondary.

I was surprised that the combo card was not recognized since I was at a big airport (Maimi!) and that card has been around for a while now.

Hope this helps anyone else out there curious about traveling on AP!

We came back from Canada a couple of weeks ago and used the combo card. It was easy. No secondary. They just wanted to see her old passport(with the K-1 visa and I-94).

[ThatAnneGirl 4]

My USC DH (Darling Husband) and I frequently travel together internationally. When entering the USA I have always gone with him to the USC line at customs and immigration, even when I'm traveling on a tourist visa. And he always comes with me to the Aussie Citizen's line when we visit Australia. No one has ever questioned this.

We are married. We are traveling together. So we get processed together.

Be bold, and assume that you are right to be in the USC line with your spouse!! (Of course, be polite and listen to instructions).

Getting pulled into secondary screening is daunting, but I'm glad that it was quick and fairly painless!!

[Lise+Michael 13]

We came back from Canada a couple of weeks ago and used the combo card. It was easy. No secondary. They just wanted to see her old passport(with the K-1 visa and I-94).

This was good to read, I will be flying to Vancouver BC via Minneapolis, I hope to have my greencard by mid May...it really is not looking good but I do have AP.

Lise

Edited April 18, 2012 by Lise + Michael

[Up and Away 10]

Be bold, and assume that you are right to be in the USC line with your spouse!! (Of course, be polite and listen to instructions).

I like this attitude! I'll try to be bolder the next time I interact with border officials and/or USCIS. I have a tendency to get super nervous in these situations!