Travel on AP after I-485 Interview, but before receiving Green Card?

[FableStar 0]

Hello!

As I'm sure you all can appreciate - it's been a long process.

I entered on a K-1 Visa, and then we applied for EAD & AP at the same time as I-485 at the end of June. I just received my EAD/AP Combo Card on Friday, and our I-485 interview was today (Wednesday). I was told I should expect my green card in the mail in about a month.

I didn't even think that travelling would be an issue, until he took the I-94 from my passport. Panic set it. I've done some research in the forums, and I seem to be getting mixed messages.

Can I travel back to Canada on my AP before receiving my green card? Or have I entered another one of those black holes of immigration where everything is in place, but I just have to wait? I'm eager to just visit my friends & family that I haven't been able to see for this period of time - I missed my best friends wedding by 2 weeks while waiting for AP (we were in the special group of K-1 applicants from last fall that took months longer than the average - I thought I was going to approved a long time before I was, and couldn't wait until after her wedding to enter). Because it's just a ferry ride away, I wouldn't have any plane tickets or travel confirmations to take with me. Also, the interview was very stressful (we were flagged for our age difference), so I don't think that asking for I-551 would have gone over well.

I'm just heartbroken about the silliness. There was only 4 days between receiving my AP and green card interview. Not much time to travel. If people have travelled recently in the "in-between" time I'd love to hear about it! I'm under the impression that once I get my green card my AP isn't valid anymore - but I don't have my green card and it could be a month before I get it. So is my AP still valid? Will not having an I-94 be a problem?

I know this has been asked before in various formats, I just haven't seen any from Canada, nor really recently. Thank you for your patience!

[aamirpearl 47]

Hello!

As I'm sure you all can appreciate - it's been a long process.

I entered on a K-1 Visa, and then we applied for EAD & AP at the same time as I-485 at the end of June. I just received my EAD/AP Combo Card on Friday, and our I-485 interview was today (Wednesday). I was told I should expect my green card in the mail in about a month.

I didn't even think that travelling would be an issue, until he took the I-94 from my passport. Panic set it. I've done some research in the forums, and I seem to be getting mixed messages.

Can I travel back to Canada on my AP before receiving my green card? Or have I entered another one of those black holes of immigration where everything is in place, but I just have to wait? I'm eager to just visit my friends & family that I haven't been able to see for this period of time - I missed my best friends wedding by 2 weeks while waiting for AP (we were in the special group of K-1 applicants from last fall that took months longer than the average - I thought I was going to approved a long time before I was, and couldn't wait until after her wedding to enter). Because it's just a ferry ride away, I wouldn't have any plane tickets or travel confirmations to take with me. Also, the interview was very stressful (we were flagged for our age difference), so I don't think that asking for I-551 would have gone over well.

I'm just heartbroken about the silliness. There was only 4 days between receiving my AP and green card interview. Not much time to travel. If people have travelled recently in the "in-between" time I'd love to hear about it! I'm under the impression that once I get my green card my AP isn't valid anymore - but I don't have my green card and it could be a month before I get it. So is my AP still valid? Will not having an I-94 be a problem?

I know this has been asked before in various formats, I just haven't seen any from Canada, nor really recently. Thank you for your patience!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/439595-travels-with-ap-gc-approved-but-not-in-hand/

[Darnell 8,478]

Can I travel back to Canada on my AP before receiving my green card?

YES.

[newlyweds2010 208]

Have you been out of status after the I-94 expired and before you applied for AOS? If so, by how many days?

[FableStar 0]

Thank you for your responses. I've never been out of status, I applied for AOS within a week of entering on my K-1 visa.

However, the interviewing officer took my I-94 during the interview saying he needed it - that's what concerned me.

[Darnell 8,478]

taking yer I-94 is part of the adjudication process.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

If you have been approved for the GC then you should get a I-551 stamp in your passport to travel. Your AP was cancelled when the AOS was approved.

[Darnell 8,478]

ah ! Harpah - yer right - my apologies, I missed that one bit, thinking somehow the approval was not decided yet.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

ah ! Harpah - yer right - my apologies, I missed that one bit, thinking somehow the approval was not decided yet.

It might not be. The OP hasn't been clear if he was really approved or just verbally approved at interview.

[C-ma'am 684]

**Post moved from AOS from family visas to Working & Traveling During US Immigration

[FableStar 0]

It might not be. The OP hasn't been clear if he was really approved or just verbally approved at interview.

I believe I was just verbally approved. He told me they'd get in touch if they needed any more paperwork (he seemed incredibly disorganized - I was so thankful I had brought copies of every single packed I'd ever sent), and I should expect a green card in the mail in a month, and if I didn't receive it I'd have to go to the office and ask about it.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I believe I was just verbally approved. He told me they'd get in touch if they needed any more paperwork (he seemed incredibly disorganized - I was so thankful I had brought copies of every single packed I'd ever sent), and I should expect a green card in the mail in a month, and if I didn't receive it I'd have to go to the office and ask about it.

All right, so if your online progress hasn't switched to "approved" then you can travel on AP.

Some IOs need supervisor approval before they can push the approved button so sometimes there is a little delay.

[FableStar 0]

My online progress jumped from Testing & Interview to Card/Document Production just this morning, and it says:

On September 19, 2013, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

Which I now take to mean that I've been approved, and my only option is to schedule an infopass appointment to get I-551. Correct?

Gah! Only 4 days between receiving my AP and EAD - and getting approved for green card. I'm glad I can see the humour in the inefficiencies in the system.

Thank you everybody for your help, Visa Journey has been a lifesaver so many times over.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yep, now you are officially approved. The card will be to you within 2 weeks, and if you need to travel before that, you can make an INFOPASS to get a I-551 stamp.

AP was meant to be a stop-gap measure when AOS used to take years. Now some AOS cases are shorter rendering AP mostly useless. But still, some people cases take a long time so it's good to apply for AP just in case.

Edited September 19, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[VanessaTony 3,567]

My online progress jumped from Testing & Interview to Card/Document Production just this morning, and it says:

On September 19, 2013, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

Which I now take to mean that I've been approved, and my only option is to schedule an infopass appointment to get I-551. Correct?

Gah! Only 4 days between receiving my AP and EAD - and getting approved for green card. I'm glad I can see the humour in the inefficiencies in the system.

Thank you everybody for your help, Visa Journey has been a lifesaver so many times over.

I've seen people still travel with AP after GC approval but prior to receiving the card. I don't believe any had any trouble re-entering, but I would wait unless it's urgent that you leave. Shouldn't take long to receive the GC or you can make an INFOPASS and get the stamp.