Originally posted by vipsha
When you will apply for VISA stamping at US consulate outside the USA , in form (I forget the form number) you need to mention that you are under AOS and after seeing that you may not be granted VISA. Consulate may say that since you have already under AOS then why do you need VISA instead you can have EAD and AP route.
New addition
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If you are leaving the USA without valid H1 stamp on your Passport or valid AP then that would be abandoning GC.
Having I-129 approval does not mean you have valid VISA on your passport, as you said that your old H1 VISA has already been expired so probably it will be abandoning GC.
I confirm what Vipsha said. After reading this post, I spoke with my lawyer and he confirmed that I can not leave US unless I have valid AP. Leavin US without AP or valid VISA in passport will result in AOS abandon. Pretty sad!
Anyway Vipsha, thanks a lot for the very accurate posts. You have some that are not so accurate, like this one:
"EAD extension was your responsibility don't blame your company, you could have done it by your self."
... but hey, nobody's perfect ...
Regards and again my many thanks to everybody who positively contributes to this portal.