Entering at San Francisco using AP

[flipper]

Hi all,

Quick question - I am planning to go to India (Madras) next week and will be returning in a couple of weeks. I have a valid AP and also an H-1B extension approval notice. The problem is that there are no interview dates available at the Madras consulate during my stay in India - so I cannot get my H-1B stamped there. Couple of questions:

1) Will there be any problem at Madras when I am returning to the US (since they usually look at your visa before you depart) - can I show them the AP? Will that be enough?

2) On return to SFO, I guess I should still stand in the Non- green card line for immigration - will it suffice to just show them the AP? Will there be an interview of some sort? Will they take my copy of the AP document (or just look at it)? Also, what should I fill out on the I-94 form etc for status?

Thanks in advance.
Flipper.

 

[itsok]

1) Will there be any problem at Madras when I am returning to the US (since they usually look at your visa before you depart) - can I show them the AP? Will that be enough?

AP is enough. Make sure the airlines do not take it. Take a copy of it and give them the copy.

2) On return to SFO, I guess I should still stand in the Non- green card line for immigration - will it suffice to just show them the AP? Will there be an interview of some sort? Will they take my copy of the AP document (or just look at it)? Also, what should I fill out on the I-94 form etc for status?

Yes. You will follow the nonGC line. You will write AOS for status. You will be asked to go to another area where they will ask you to submit the papers and sit. Then they will call you, take one copy of AP and return the other onestamped(You should have recieved 2 or 3 copies (originals) of AP). Sometimes., you will only get one copy. If that is the case, I believe they will stamp it and give it back. The whole processs will take five minutes.