berrystrawberry

Thank you for the answers guys. The additional information for travel longer than a year was also very helpful!

Thank you for the detailed description!

It's the first time I travel with my conditional green card. I have couple more questions..

-Got my green card through marriage, do I need to bring with me our marriage certificate (original or a photocopy)?

-I also just got a new passport (old passport expired), do I need to carry my old passport to show previous entries?

hello redglasses and v333k- i have been outside the US for 4 months, and am about to return now.

Does the length of this period affect what documents are needed?

I obtained my green card about a year ago. It is a conditional green card. I am currently traveling overseas. Could anyone tell me what I would need to return to the US and what the procedures would be like at the US custom?

Thanks very much!

Thanks Carla! I only have a photocopy of the marriage certificate since it is not replaceable, and we didn't want to give it any chance to get lost or torn. Do you think I can get by with that, or do I have to bring the original ( or a certified copy but not the original)?

oh i have a question. does anyone know if there are other documents i need to bring with me besides the parole? thanks!

Some more updates… I went to the local office on Monday. The guy at the front desk was rude and tried to turn me away without having seen anything I brought. I was angry at that point and started arguing with him. Long story short, after quite some effect, I got to talk to the same officer I had spoken with a few times before. She looked me up in the system and told me my profile was barely in there, probably because the delay during the holidays. She then got on the phone with somebody. In the end she told me to expect the parole by the end of the week. I received a phone call from the person that processed my parole on Thursday telling me that they would send it out via expedite mail. I have gotten the parole yesterday. It was sent out from Missouri. I think that is the national benefit center.

From my experience, the 800 customer service wasn’t really helpful. They have very limited information. They can submit requests to the according offices, but that’s the most they can do. They have no leverage over how the case will turn out, or access to information about in which stage the case is in. On the other hand, the local office is much more powerful. My advice to anyone needing AP in an emergency, be proactive and persistent, don’t wait as they tell you to, and don’t take no as an answer.

Thank you for all the help and support you guys have given me. I have purchased my tickets and will be going home now good luck to all!

Does anybody know what a "District office" is? Is it supposed to be a level above the local offices? The local office in my area has not been helpful in this whole matter. I am thinking I should try a different office. Thanks!

Krikit- thank you so much for sending me positive thoughts!

So far, I still have not received anything that I am missing. I did speak with a few agents at the national customer service center, which is supposed to be a higher level. They all said they could not send out duplicates for my receipts. So I guess that’s their policy. I will make a request when I am at the local office, but I double they could do anything. i will post updates as I find out more.

Carla, Nagishkaw, and Krikit- thank you so much for your responses! I wish the uscis officers were as supportive and understanding as you guys!

I spoke to them several times after my last post. It turns out the receipts for the rest of the forms (131, 765, 485) were all sent out 10 days ago, but they put a wrong address on them, so I did not receive those. A biometrics appointment letter has also been sent out, to a wrong address as well. the receipts will not be resent since they don't provide duplicates for receipts. But another biometrics appointment letter will be mailed out. Though I may miss the appointment in case I don't receive the letter before the appointment time (jan. 21). One of the representatives put a request in the system for expedite AP. It takes 5-7 business days for a response to be mailed to me. So it’s 7 days plus how ever long it takes for the mail to reach me, plus the time it takes to produce the parole and for the parole to be mailed to me. I cannot wait that long. I will just walk in the local office and talk to them in person without an appointment, since the earliest available appointment is 7 days from now. I hope they won’t turn me away like last time. it is a 2 hour drive from where I am.

To Krikit: when you walked in the biometrics office, did you already have the appointment letter with you? I may not be able to receive mine soon enough for me to bring it with me to the local office, but the rep I talked with told me the exact time and location. Can I just stop by and show them my ID to have it taken? And what information do they collect for the biometrics?

Thanks!

Called USCIS’s 800 number today. They said once I receive the NOA for the I-131 advance parole form, I could call back to request an expedite AP, but at this point I could do nothing but wait since we have only received the NOA for i-130, and it could take 2-3 months to get the receipt for 131. Our checks for both 130 and 485 were cashed on the same day about 10 days ago though. We thought we were going to get all the receipts together. But we did not. I was under the impression that USCIS sends out NOAs same time they cash the checks. Is that true? Recently a few mails that were addressed to me got returned for some reason. I am thinking maybe the receipts were mailed to me, but were returned back to USCIS by the post office???

The USCIS officer I spoke with today said that I could leave the country before I receive the AP, if I believed that the AP would be eventually granted to me without me being present in the US. I could then have my husband mail it to my home country while I am gone and use it to come back to the states when I need to return. She said this was not recommended and would be taken at my own risk if I did decide to do so. She said it is okay to do so because no document is required when I leave the country, only when I return do they request AP. My understanding on this though is if I leave the US when my application is pending, and before I receive the AP, I automatically lose my AOS applicant status. The lady said that it could take 2-3 months before I receive a receipt. In that case, I have to leave the US without having the parole, since my mom can’t wait that long. Does anyone know how exactly the parole works? I need help! Thanks!!

Carla and Seekingadvice, thank you for your responses. My husband and I went to an infopass before we submitted the package, and the lady we spoke to advised us to include the doctor’s note, a letter requesting advance parole, and credit card information for them to express mail us the parole in the package to be sent to the Chicago office. So that’s what we did. We have only gotten the NOA for the 1-130 so far. We went to an infopass appointment today and spoke to the same lady. She didn’t look at anything we brought. She only told us to wait for the Chicago office and did not provide us any other information.

On the NOA for 1-130 that we received, there is one item called “Priority date”, it has a “P” in the blank. Does that mean priority? We keep checking our mail and emails, nothing came in yet. I really can’t wait. I need to go asap. What really is the “parole”? Is it a letter from USCIS that is to be shown to the customs when we try to come back to the US, or is it a stamp on the passport? In case it is a stamp on the passport, do I have to mail in my passport first in order to receive the AP?

Here is some update...

We mailed out the application package on 12/22/2008, it was received by the chicago lockbox on the 24th, checks were cashed on the 30th, we received the NOA for the I-130 form today 01/04/09 in mail that was made on 12/30/08. We requested expedite processing for the advance parole, and included the doctor's note and a letter explaining the situation in the application package, as well as credit card information for expedite courier for them to mail me the AP in case it is approved (advised to do so by an officer at the local uscis office during an Infopass appointment). So far we did not receive anything pertaining to the parole in mail or through email/phone calls.

Carla, I have a question for you. You mentioned CSC before. What does it stand for?

Carla- the information you gave me is so helpful! Thank you so much! It is exactly what I am looking for. I will let you know how things go with me.

Here is a link from someone else with a question about Emergency AP. There are a few people who responded that did the same thing. They've explained how they went about it, and what they brought to the appointment. You might want to click on their name to see what the responses were when they posted their question, or you could PM them and explain your situation and see what they might have to offer.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=160401

CSC = California Service Centre

Does anyone know what i should expect regarding the parole? I need it in order to go home for my mom's surgery. Is there anything I could do now to expedite the process? thanks!

thanks very much for the response!

regarding the photos, is it 1 for the petitioner, and 8 for the beneficiary?

thanks!

We are filing 130 and 485 together for AOS application. Does anyone know if we need to include the photocopies of both petitioner and beneficiary's ENTIRE passport? I remember reading somewhere that says needing every page of the passport, that's like 20 pages for each passport!

and overall, how many photos are needed for each one of us?

mailing out the package today, just need these to seal the package! Thanks a bunch!

I remember reading somewhere that says it is not recommended to travel before GC is granted if at any point there was unauthorized stay, even you have the advanced parole. I do not have personal experience though. It may entirely be fine in reality.

hi there!

I have a simple question and never thought it would be so hard to get a straight answer!

I received my advanced parole and was so happy that after many years I would be able to go home for the holidays, I entered the US with a student visa, overstayed it , met my husband applied for my papers on August, already got my EAD and the parole, I'm just waiting for the interview...but now I'm not sure if Ishould travel or not... Some people say it safe they had no problem, some say I should not... the only thing I dont really understand is... What is the point to have the advance parole if you cant travel? why would they give a such thing if you cant come back? Please i would love to hear from people that actually knows someone, or traveled using this parole! My husband is coming with me, but he is returning before me! I will be alone, and I'm not sure what to do! Thank you all!!

I am about to submit my AOS package, and just realized the I-693 medical form that my civil surgeon gave me never required a signature from me. It is sealed, i can not open it to check. but i think the top part needs my signature... does anyone know what the procedures should be? thanks!

Guys, thank you for the information

Thanks for all the responses!

I don't have checks with my current address on it. They all have my old addresses. Would that be a problem?

I am about to submit the AOS package. Does anybody know if regular personal checks accepted by USCIS, or do I have to get money order/cashier's checks for them?

thanks!

Carla, I have a question for you. You mentioned CSC before. What does it stand for?

Carla- the information you gave me is so helpful! Thank you so much! It is exactly what I am looking for. I will let you know how things go with me.

Here is a link from someone else with a question about Emergency AP. There are a few people who responded that did the same thing. They've explained how they went about it, and what they brought to the appointment. You might want to click on their name to see what the responses were when they posted their question, or you could PM them and explain your situation and see what they might have to offer.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=160401

Carla- the information you gave me is so helpful! Thank you so much! It is exactly what I am looking for. I will let you know how things go with me.

Here is a link from someone else with a question about Emergency AP. There are a few people who responded that did the same thing. They've explained how they went about it, and what they brought to the appointment. You might want to click on their name to see what the responses were when they posted their question, or you could PM them and explain your situation and see what they might have to offer.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=160401

Thanks Carla! I am going to send in the package this week and try to make an appointment with the local office hopefully next week. Do you know if I have to wait until I receive the NOA receipt in mail, or is it reflected in their system right away once they get my application? I searched Emergency AP on here, but did not get much information. I will do more searching once I send the package out.

It looks like I'm the only one that has responded thus far, and I just want to reiterate that you have to send in the whole package NOW. Getting it in right away will ensure you'll have PROOF that you sent it in, and you're awaiting and in line for the whole process. That will let them know when you make an INFOPASS appointment before getting AP, that you indeed have filed. I suppose if you are not going to file right away, you can still go for an infopass appointment, with the required documenation and get an emergency AP. I know your chances are better that you'd get one if you had proof that you at least sent in the stuff to USCIS already.

Did you do a "search" in this forum, on Emergency AP? You might go back several pages here and see if that is a topic on a thread here, and see someone else's suggestions. I know they're on this forum, because I've read them before.

If you're not applying for AOS/EAD/AP right away, and need this AP immediately, then just make an appointment with infopass right away, and go tell them about the emergency, and bring your letter from your Mom's doctor and pay the fee (yes, you're going to have to pay a fee for your AP if you haven't already applied through the regular process), and get it now. The only thing they can say is "no", or "we need more information", in which case you'll maybe need another letter from your Mom's doctor.

If all else fails, you could leave without AP, but you WILL NOT be able to get back into the US after. You'll have to apply and go through a visa process again in your Mom's country.

Let me know how you make out.

Thanks Carla!

My mom can’t wait for that long. The sooner she takes the surgery, the more likely the surgery will be successful. Her heart is compensating for the dysfunction, and gets worse and worse since it has to keep working harder. I am really hoping I could make it back early January. Does anyone know if it’s feasible? If so, how to do this?

My husband and I went to an infopass appointment. They said AP application had to be submitted in the whole 485/130/131 application package to the Chicago lockbox. They did not say anything about making an appointment with them after we have submitted the application package. They also said biometrics have to be taken before AP will be granted. In other words, I have to get it done before I can have my AP. Does anyone know how soon biometrics can be taken after the AOS application has been submitted?

I consulted a lawyer. He said AP can be issued within 7 days, but wouldn’t provide more information unless I hire him. I would really appreciate it if anyone could share more information on this.

Thanks!

Usually, and I say that with no guarantee, AP comes in about 60-90 days. Getting that AOS application in, with your EAD and AP in with it, will ensure that you'll get your NOA on those applications, which you can then take to the INFOPASS appointment, to prove that you applied for them. You don't have to have had your biometrics done before going to the INFOPASS appointment, however if you get an appointment for them to be done while you're away, I don't know what you'll have to do. Perhaps reschedule them? How long do you think you're going to be away?

Firstly I'd get the applications sent away, and then tell your Mother, or her Dr. it's going to be about 3 months before you can get the required documentation to come visit and be with her for the surgery. If you're just looking at going to be with her during the surgery, and not staying a long time, you'll probably be good to get back here for additional appointments for your AOS or biometrics interview. There is a chance as well, that you won't get an interview, and your case will be transferred to CSC.

If your Mom's surgery can wait the anticipated 3 months waiting time for the AP, then you won't need a Dr.'s letter at all, you can just take your forms and go. If it can't wait, as earlier stated, take what you have to an INFOPASS appointment, and with proof that you applied, you should be able to get a document to travel with.

Thank you for the response, Carla! The doctor’s note does not say the exact words “life threatening”, but it says “surgery recommended as soon as possible”. My mother has had heart failure, and the surgery is absolutely needed. Do you know if have to complete biometrics before I can get the AP? Our application is ready to go, I would really like to know overall how long it will take for me to receive the AP after the application is sent out. My mom is waiting on my words to schedule her surgery

Thanks!!

My husband and I are about to submit the 130 and 485 package for my green card application. My mother is going to take a heart surgery this winter. She is waiting for me to go home. We included I-131 form in the application package for Advance Parole, so I can leave the US. Does anyone know how to expedite the process in case of family emergency like this? Can we go to a local USCIS office and obtain AP in person? I have my mother's doctor's note. USCIS explained that all applications are accepted in mail only to the Chicago lockbox. But we did read about couples getting AP through infopass appointments at local USCIS offices. Could someone with experience please provide us some information?

Thank you very much!!

Send in your applications. Many people have obtained emergency AP's after awaiting their AP's to come by making an INFOPASS appointment at their local office, and bringing a copy of their NOA, and supporting documentation from qualified people to support their request. My understanding is that it has to be an extreme emergency. Does the letter from the Doctor say that this is life threatening? I wouldn't think you'd have problem in this regard. Usually people have been granted an emergency AP for deaths that I know of. Family emergencies would qualify as well I would think. Not vacations, or trips booked for pleasure. It can, and has been done.

Best of luck to you! Hope that your Mother's surgery goes well.