Traveling with a pending I-485 (K1-visa)

[Evangeline_m 2]

Hello everyone

 

I really want to go on a 1-2 week trip to my home country (Sweden) for Christmas, however I don't know if I will have my green card by then and if that's going to cause any trouble when I return to USA.

I have my interview with USCIS for my green card on October 23rd and I've heard it can take an additional 1-3 months after that to get your actual card (assuming I get approved). I've already gotten approved for Work Authorization/EAD (I-765) and Advance Travel Parole (I-131), which I filed together with my I-485. On my EAD card it says "Serves as I-512 Advance Parole". 

 

In case I don't get my card in time, will my EAD card + proof of my pending I-485 be sufficient to allow my return to the US? Even with the purpose of my trip "only" being visiting family for the holidays (in other words, no emergency or big occasion like a wedding)? I don't have any gaps/issues in my immigration record. 

 

Also a second issue I have is that my passport 1. Doesn't have my new married name on it, only my maiden name and 2. Expires in May 2020. Would I have to renew my passport before I go to Sweden? Will my maiden name on my passport be an issue even if I i.e bring my marriage certificate as proof of name change? And can I get a new passport while I'm in Sweden and use that to travel back to the USA? 

 

Thank you and I appreciate any reply 

[Ontarkie 13,915]

~~Moved to Working and Traveling During Immigration, from AOS Progress Report -The OP is asking about traveling~~

[Just Paul 4,591]

So I take it your did not apply for AP?   You will need to have the GC prior to your trip to Sweden.  Otherwise you will have abandoned your petition and probably will not be let back in the US.

 

As for your passport, the length to expiration date isn't important, as long as it is not expired, and you have a valid AP or green card.

[Pitaya 2,576]

17 hours ago, Evangeline_m said:

Hello everyone

 

I really want to go on a 1-2 week trip to my home country (Sweden) for Christmas, however I don't know if I will have my green card by then and if that's going to cause any trouble when I return to USA.

I have my interview with USCIS for my green card on October 23rd and I've heard it can take an additional 1-3 months after that to get your actual card (assuming I get approved). I've already gotten approved for Work Authorization/EAD (I-765) and Advance Travel Parole (I-131), which I filed together with my I-485. On my EAD card it says "Serves as I-512 Advance Parole". 

 

In case I don't get my card in time, will my EAD card + proof of my pending I-485 be sufficient to allow my return to the US? Even with the purpose of my trip "only" being visiting family for the holidays (in other words, no emergency or big occasion like a wedding)? I don't have any gaps/issues in my immigration record. 

 

Also a second issue I have is that my passport 1. Doesn't have my new married name on it, only my maiden name and 2. Expires in May 2020. Would I have to renew my passport before I go to Sweden? Will my maiden name on my passport be an issue even if I i.e bring my marriage certificate as proof of name change? And can I get a new passport while I'm in Sweden and use that to travel back to the USA? 

 

Thank you and I appreciate any reply 

 

16 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

So I take it your did not apply for AP?   You will need to have the GC prior to your trip to Sweden.  Otherwise you will have abandoned your petition and probably will not be let back in the US.

 

As for your passport, the length to expiration date isn't important, as long as it is not expired, and you have a valid AP or green card.

Please review the underlined and italicized part of her posting. It sounds like she has the  EAD/AP combo card in her possession.

 

OP: Regarding the different last names on your documents.- It is common for folks similarly situated as yourself to travel internationally. The name on the purchased ticket must match the name on your passport. Bring a copy of your marriage certificate to show the name change. Bring your EAD/AP combo card for getting back into the US. If you receive your GC in the interim, the EAD/AP combo card is not necessary, bring the GC instead. If you have time, it may worth it to try to get your passport renewed and updated while in your home country. Check your home country's passport renewal/name change policy. A valid state ID/DL (enhanced, even better) would be icing on the cake. You would have plenty of photo IDs to support your intentions. 

 

Enjoy your trip home.