TXLatino832

A little more background on my situation...

My husband entered the US on a K1 visa which is a one time entry visa.

I also failed to mention we both did attend an appointment at the Mexican Consulate here in Houston after I went to the departing port to ask if my husband's documentation was ok. The Mexican Consulate advised he would need a visa. I disregarded this advice because the cruise line stated it was not necessary and would board my husband with just his Filipino passport and his EAD/AP combo card. I have also cruised with the same cruise line previously and have been to Mexico with them so I know... once he is on the boat, all is ok. Mexican officials do not check documentation when you get off the ship at the port.

Soulmate1971-

To answer your questions, my husband received the EAD/AP combo card about 2 months after applying for the AOS. Along with the AOS application (I-485), we sent the application for Employment Authoriztion (I-765) and application for Travel Document (I-131). I hope this helps.

Best Regards

Hello everyone i just wanted to share our experience with sea travel with the combo card. We received the combo card in late October 2015 and booked a cruise soon after. I did so with the expectation that we would have the green card before the cruise. Our departure date soon approached and no green card, I was nervous to say the least. I took it upon myself to call the travel agent who booked our cruise who referred me to a visa company they utilize and I could never get a straight/consistent answer. Not even calling the cruise line helped. We reside here in Houston, the same place the cruise departed from. I took it upon myself to go to the port weeks ahead of time before the cruise departed, I spoke to a security supervisor who verified with the cruise line check in agents that we could indeed board the ship with no problems. I was skeptical and kept asking "Are you sure?". They assured me everything was ok.

The day of the cruise (Jan. 23, 2016) came and I was still super nervous we would be turned away. When our time came at the check in desk, the cruise line agent did seek assistance regarding the EAD/AP combo card, he asked a co-worker or superior about the card and he was informed to treat it just like a green card.

So there you have it, my new Filipino husband was able to depart Houston and visit Mexico, Belize and Honduras with only his Filipino passport and his EAD/AP combo card. No visa was required to any country, the combo card and his passport sufficed.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, I would recommend you consider asking at the port of departure well in advance if the documents you have are enough to board without any problems. So many people over the phone told us so many different things. Verify in person at the port if possible.

On our return to Houston, my husband and I were escorted to a small room where his documentation was verified. It took maybe 15 minutes, his passport was stamped and we were on our way. Absolutely no problems at all. Good luck and I hope this helps.

My fiancé had his interview today and i'm happy to report he passed! We are both so excited. Thanks everyone for all the good info. Good luck to everyone still waiting.

I started calling everyday after a week of receiving the NOA2. Now that I think about it, maybe I could've gotten my case number faster if it weren't for those 2 snow days.

I'm thankful for all the good info on this site. Thanks everyone.

I've called the NVC starting the end of last week, no luck at all.

I called today and I finally got my case number!

I've called the NVC starting the end of last week, no luck at all.

I called today and i finally got my case number!

I'm happy to report a speedy TSC approval. I received the email and text this evening at almost 9:00PM CST!

I'm happy to report a speedy TSC approval. I received the email and text this evening at almost 9:00PM CST

I am from Houston, Texas and my fiancé is from Guinsay, Danao City, Cebu.