The situation I am facing is that I seek to work abroad but in the meantime keeping my I-485 status. My current AP won't expire until Dec, so I am safe as long as I come back before then. However, I intend to come back only for a very short period to pick up the renewal AP approval and resume working overseas ASAP. That's why I am asking whether it is possible to apply for the renewal while I am still abroad (of course I can find sb. to mail the filing for me in US). From what I read, the safest way is to be in US while filing for the renewal, but it means an additional trip for me. Do you think I can save that trip? Will USCIS check whether I am in the States or abroad while filing the renewal?