Travel outside US immediately after GC interview

[mray 0]

I am an Indian citizen, applied for GC after marriage to USC. I am currently in AOS, with EAD/AP combo card, and interview is scheduled for December 2nd (Jacksonville, FL). I am planning to travel to India for 6 weeks shortly after my GC interview (in about 1 week). Is this safe to do, or will I have problems trying to re-enter?

From my understanding, if they approve my GC, I can request I-551 stamp- can I expect to get it within 1 week of interview? Is there any chance that they do not tell me if my GC has been approved/denied after the interview and inform me later by mail- when I am already outside US. Or if they ask for more information, my AP will remain valid so I can still travel/re-enter.

I know it is not ideal to travel before the physical GC arrives in the mail, but if I wait that long ticket prices shoot up (peak season) and I can no longer afford to go. I have not been to India in 5 years, so I really want to make this trip- please advise! Thanks...

[florida4life 29]

if you have your advance parole papers you can travel while your green card is still pending. I think that's how it goes.

[Hypnos 6,576]

If you are approved at the interview then immediately tell the IO that you are travelling to India in a week and ask if it would be possible to receive an I-551 stamp in your passport whilst you are there.

[mray 0]

But do they always tell you whether or not you are approved after the interview? Can they later tell me via mail- ie: after I leave for India, so I cannot come back for I-551 stamping?

[Hypnos 6,576]

No, they do not always make a decision on the day of the interview.

[mray 0]

So in that scenario, is safe to leave the US? If they accept/reject my application while I am in India, my AP will no longer be valid...

[Hypnos 6,576]

I have heard mixed things about that; some say you can re-enter on AP still, others say AP is invalidated when your green card is approved or denied.

[hmh33 117]

Traveling on the AP will be fine if the AOS is approved. If the AOS is denied (why would it be?) then the AP will be invalid for reentry.

[Hypnos 6,576]

AoS can be denied for lots of reasons; approval isn't guaranteed. In saying that, it is usually approved in the absence of any significant negative factors.

Edited November 14, 2013 by Hypnos

[h13rma 35]

As long as its not denied AP will still work, if its approved on the spot you can get an I551 temporary stamp there and then, thats what I did.