AP question

T

tsc77

Registered Users (C)
I have a question regarding using AP. DHS issued two AP originals
for each of us. Do I just need to bring only one original to come backto the US or I have to have both of them to come back into the US?

I try to figure out should I keep one AP's at home in case of
loss/theft.

Thanks.


TSC77
 
You have to take both the originals. Some airlines may take one original. Keep 2/3 xerox copies, you may give the xerox copies to air lines. At INS also they may take one original, but they will give you back one original after stamping.
 
tsc77,

Travel with both...you need both when re-entring...

This is what happened to my wife and me:

We were issued TWO APs each (just like you).

At POE, four were stamped and ONLY two given back to us.

I asked the officer if I could re-use the stamped one he just gave back to me.

He said: "YES. And make sure the officer gives it back to you because it is the only one left."

I interpreted this to mean that I can use the second one (which is already stamped) endless of times AS LONG AS IT DID NOT EXPIRE. Gurus in this forum have confirmed this interpretation.

sss234's advice of xeroxing is a GOOD idea.

Happy traveling...
 
My lawyer tells me to travel with ONE original (and multiple xerox copies), and leave the other one with someone trusted at home. This way if the original one gets stolen at the airport or wherever then you can try entering the US on the xeroxed one having the trusted guy drive to the airport and bring the original one to the officer.

Besides, you get a stamp on your AP *every time* you enter the US. My AP has four stamps already. It is really PITA to go through secondary inspection every time you enter on AP...
 
eltoro,

Sorry, but I did NOT understand what you mean by: "It is really PITA to go through secondary inspection every time you enter on AP..." :o

Please explain...
 
The current procedure goes something like that:
- arrive at the airport
- get in line to an immigration officer
- when your turn comes you present the AP, I-94 and your passport
- the immigration officer puts your AP, I-94 and your passport in a black binder and tells you you need to go to this-and-this room (that's what I call a secondary inspection, because at this time I would be already admitted if I used my H1-B visa)
- you wait in line in the other room
- when your time comes the officer at the room stamps your AP, I-94 and your passport with the parole stamp and you are free to go

I traveled abroad four times on my current AP. I imagined that after the first stamp on the AP the first immigration officer I see after landing in the US would parole me back in the US without the need for a secondary inspection. I was wrong. Every time I needed to go to that other room and wait in line for a new stamp. This adds about an hour to the overall time spent at the airport after arrival. That's what I call PITA (pain in the neck) :)
 
eltoro,

Thanx for the explanation, especially the one for PITA ;)

I used my AP once. It was thru Houston, TX.

NOTHING of what you described happened to me. Although I come from a Sp Regist country and shows real well on my face, if you know what I mean ;) the officer smiled, stamped my AP, I-94 and passport and welcomed me back...

I guess I was lucky...

Good luck tsc77 with your re-entry...please share with us YOUR experience...
 
Well, then it is probably Atlanta airport procedure. All these four times I have crossed the US border in Atlanta. I am going abroad again by the end of May, will be back on June 8, but this time I arrive in Cincinnatti. I will post my experience from there...
 
Airlines taking one AP???

sss234 - you mentioned that some airlines do take one copy of the AP. When do they ask for this?
Can you please let us know in details about this?
Thnx
 
I don't think the airlines should take your AP.
I came in through Houston this year on my AP.
I took both the copies with me. The office at POE took one copy and gave me back the second copy after stamping it. No secondery inspection. No fingerprinting or taking photo.
 
sg930,
It is last year, in Mumbai, the air-india person aksed for one copy, he would like to keep one original, then I gave the xerox, he has accpted.
 
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