485 pending, travel with EAD/AP card

**yimanshi** · 6th July 2012, 01:45 PM

I have applied for I- 485 based on marriage. I've taken the interview but my case is pending due to priority date not being current. My PD is April 2010, and the current priority date is Feb 2010. I have plans to travel out of the country in October 2012. Is it safe to come back with EAD/AP combo card? If, however, my PD becomes current in Sep, how long would it take to get my GC? Please advise.

Thanks in advance!!!

**Jackolantern** · 6th July 2012, 01:59 PM

I assume you applied based on marriage to a permanent resident?

Did you ever work illegally or overstay before filing the I-485? Were you outside the US anytime between the I-131 was filed and when the AP was approved? Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime?

If NO to these 3 questions, it should be safe to reenter with the AP, unless there is some other issue you haven't mentioned. If anything is Yes, please provide specific information.

**yimanshi** · 6th July 2012, 02:22 PM

Thanks for your reply. The answers to all your below questions are NO.
My real concern is - If the green card is issued and mailed to me while I'm out of the country, is it fine to reenter with AP only or should I wait till I physically get my GC before I travel?

Originally Posted by Jackolantern

I assume you applied based on marriage to a permanent resident?

Did you ever work illegally or overstay before filing the I-485? Were you outside the US anytime between the I-131 was filed and when the AP was approved? Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime?

If NO to these 3 questions, it should be safe to reenter with the AP, unless there is some other issue you haven't mentioned. If anything is Yes, please provide specific information.

**Jackolantern** · 6th July 2012, 02:41 PM

It's not a problem to enter with AP if your GC is approved while you're outside the US, or if your GC is approved shortly before you leave the US.

Just mention that you found out that your GC has approved, and they'll look up your details in the system and process you accordingly.

**yimanshi** · 6th July 2012, 02:56 PM

Thank you very much! Now I can travel in peace! Thanks!!

Originally Posted by Jackolantern

It's not a problem to enter with AP if your GC is approved while you're outside the US, or if your GC is approved shortly before you leave the US.

Just mention that you found out that your GC has approved, and they'll look up your details in the system and process you accordingly.

**Jackolantern** · 6th July 2012, 04:03 PM

Be aware that entering with AP means you will be automatically sent to the secondary inspection room, which could result in a wait of 1 or 2 hours if there are many other people in the room.

So if you have a connecting flight after arriving with AP, make sure the next flight is more than 2 hours later so you can still make it if you get delayed in secondary inspection.