Our Experience Traveling with Advance Parole

[RMC2000 2]

My husband and I just returned from a trip to the Dominican Republic. We applied for the Green Card December 5th and are still waiting - I was just told that based on our location and local field office (Washington DC) we may be waiting until September. At any rate, he recieved his EAD/AP card January 2012.

We departed Puerto Plata, DR on American Airlines. At first the gate agents said that he would not be able to get on the plane. They were basing this decision based on the EAD alone not being sufficient for traveling. I brought copies of his application for i-485 (Adjustment of Status) and I -131 (Travel Document)and our marriage certificate. I tried to explain the concept of Advance Parole but unfortunately the I-131 does not use this term and the paper that came with the card also does not explain it. Finally the gate agent called U.S. Immigration and we got the ok to go through. He was questioned a few more times after security. When we got to Miami, the Immigration Officer wasn't familiar with the combo card but was very nice. We had to fill out another I-94(short white form) and then go to a room for secondary processing. We had to wait about 1 1/2 hours. We had no issue. But there were several people ahead of us who took longer to process. It was a Wednesday night and not crowded compared to the first time my husband came through on a Friday.

So 1) Bring back-up paperwork in case you have trouble convincing the gate agent and tell them to call immigration.

2) Plan on plenty of time for secondary processing - we barely made our connection.

[litlmina 40]

Wow, I didn't realize travelling on AP could get this complicated! Thanks for sharing your experience.

[MarielManuel 0]

OMG thats a long time i knwo this has nothing to do with your type of process my dad is doing his citizenship and its taking for ever to give him the interview date and its washington DC to so im guessing they are very behind by the way where you live???

[MrTee12 64]

Thanks for this information. Its very helpful. I didnt know this would be a big deal. With the correct documents 'AP' things should go smoothly.

[LindaC1990 23]

Thanks for sharing!

I am coming back to the U.S on 25th

So nervous about using the AP even though I never had any unlawful presence and I am still a full time student in school

I will share my experience when I get back, wish me luck

[RMC2000 2]

OMG thats a long time i knwo this has nothing to do with your type of process my dad is doing his citizenship and its taking for ever to give him the interview date and its washington DC to so im guessing they are very behind by the way where you live???

We live in Arlington, VA.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Thank you for sharing.

AP is new to lots of people who work in the travel industry. Too often, people think it is easy to use.

The take home lesson from the first post is that to be prepared and don't expect the ticketing agent to know what the heck AP is. Make sure you have extra time in case shizz happens.

[TimTow 0]

Hello,

Did you have to get a tourist visa for Dominican Republic or were you able to obtain a tourist card just using EAD and AP? It would be great if you can share that info.

I have a EAD and AP and not sure if I need a tourist visa to travel to DR. I have a indian passport but no US visa.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Hello,

Did you have to get a tourist visa for Dominican Republic or were you able to obtain a tourist card just using EAD and AP? It would be great if you can share that info.

I have a EAD and AP and not sure if I need a tourist visa to travel to DR. I have a indian passport but no US visa.

The Op is probably from DR.

If you are Indian then you need to check if DR requires Indians to get tourist visas. Your EAd/AP has nothing to do with DR. EAD/AP is only for reentry to the US.