hi guys, below are my timelines.
I also need an advise.
i have travel plans for the end of December 2010, when can I travel outside of states? once i get my I-131 approved or when my green card is approved as I'm out of status right now.
any help is appreciated
Thanks
10/05/10 (Day 1)- Sent I-130, I-485, I-693, I-765, etc
10/08/10 (Day 3)- Documents recieved by Chicago PO Box
10/15/10 (Day 10) - Recieved 3x email/SMS notifications
10/16/10 (Day 11) - Checks cashed
Hi everyone,
This is my timeline so far:
09/24/10 - Mailed I-130, I-131, I-485, I-765, I-864 to Chicago via Fedex
09/27/10 - Delivered to Chicago, IL
10/04/10 - Receipt Date by USCIS
10/12/10 - Received all NOA's and Notice for Biometrics appointment for 11/05/10
10/14/10 - Walk-in for Biometrics in NYC (both for I-130 and I-131) - Done
Just have a question relating to the AP travelling under the I-131. My H-1B just expired (9/30) so I'm currently out-of-status. I'm expecting to receive my EAD in the next few weeks, and hopefully my interview notice for a GC in early 2011.
I have important travel plans for xmas week this year, but I'm hearing that even with an EAD and the approval of a I-131, I shouldn't be travelling abroad while my app is pending. Is this accurate and is there any way around it? (Perhaps an appointment with the USCIS to explain my circumstance and my need to travel abroad)? Can anyone advise or have any experience with this?
Much appreciated. And good luck and all my prayers are with everyone. This is a stressful time for all of us and God knows we could all use some moral support from each other.
Hi Greenmonster,
Where in NYC did you do your biometrics? What time did you walk in? Did they give you any issues for doing a walk i?
Hi Melana,
I'm in a similar position as you needing to travel the holiday week of December. My understanding is that you CAN NOT travel if you are out of status currently. This begs the question of why a I-131 is needed at all, but it seems that the only purpose of the I-131 is to hold your application status as active when you travel abroad during the application process. (I.E. if you travelled in the midst of your application status, your application is deemed void. The I-131 will keep it active) You'll still need some type of valid visa (F1, H-1B, etc.) to get back in the country.
I was hoping that wasn't going to be the case and as soon as we received an EAD and/or confirmation of approval along with an interview date for the green card we'd be able to travel, but it seems like that is not the case.
Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can answer.
Hi Melana,
I'm in a similar position as you needing to travel the holiday week of December. My understanding is that you CAN NOT travel if you are out of status currently. This begs the question of why a I-131 is needed at all, but it seems that the only purpose of the I-131 is to hold your application status as active when you travel abroad during the application process. (I.E. if you travelled in the midst of your application status, your application is deemed void. The I-131 will keep it active) You'll still need some type of valid visa (F1, H-1B, etc.) to get back in the country.
I was hoping that wasn't going to be the case and as soon as we received an EAD and/or confirmation of approval along with an interview date for the green card we'd be able to travel, but it seems like that is not the case.
Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can answer.
here's an abstract i found from "Section 245(i) Provision of the LIFE Act"
A19. If you are living illegally in the United States, the mere filing of a visa petition or application for a labor certification has no effect on your current immigration status or unlawful presence in the United States. If you leave the United States, you will have no authorization to re-enter the country.
When you file your application for adjustment of status (Form I-485), there is a way to obtain permission in advance to travel abroad by requesting "Advance Parole" from INS. However, if you have accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence, you should not travel abroad because you then will be barred from admission to the United States for either three years or 10 years, even if you were granted "Advance Parole." Generally, the three-year bar to admission applies to those who were unlawfully present in the United States for more than 180 days and leave the country, and the 10-year bar applies to those who were unlawfully present in the United States for one year or more and leave the country.
Yay, I got my fingerprint appointment in the mail today! It's for November 1st, but I'll try a walk in on wednesday
Yay, I got my fingerprint appointment in the mail today! It's for November 1st, but I'll try a walk in on wednesday