Seeking an expert's advice on travel

G

Guard26

New Member
Hello All,

First, this is an amazing website! I have not found such a useful compilation of GC-related information anywhere else on the web. But I guess you've already knew that ;)

I have a somewhat silly question: I filed concurrently 140/485 in the OR category a few weeks ago. Just a couple of days ago, I got an invitation from a university in the UK to give an academic job interview talk -- I applied a few years back, they kept my application on file, and invited me once a new position opened. I am not interested in the job (and want to stay in the USA) but an interview experience is always useful, plus it may give me some leverege at my current job (unfortunately, academia is all about politics...). Would a job interview trip abroad interfere with my GC application (since the OR category is sponsored by my current employer)? The "purpose" of the trip would be documented in a UK embassy, since I must present a letter of invitation from the UK's host institution in order to get a UK visa.

Any help would be appreciated! Best, and keep up the good work.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Guard26 said:
Hello All,

First, this is an amazing website! I have not found such a useful compilation of GC-related information anywhere else on the web. But I guess you've already knew that ;)

I have a somewhat silly question: I filed concurrently 140/485 in the OR category a few weeks ago. Just a couple of days ago, I got an invitation from a university in the UK to give an academic job interview talk -- I applied a few years back, they kept my application on file, and invited me once a new position opened. I am not interested in the job (and want to stay in the USA) but an interview experience is always useful, plus it may give me some leverege at my current job (unfortunately, academia is all about politics...). Would a job interview trip abroad interfere with my GC application (since the OR category is sponsored by my current employer)? The "purpose" of the trip would be documented in a UK embassy, since I must present a letter of invitation from the UK's host institution in order to get a UK visa.

Any help would be appreciated! Best, and keep up the good work.
Click to expand...

Without claiming that i am expert i would like to say that...IMHO... it will not effect your application.....you may want to take ur employer in confidence and go for it! r u going on AP or stamped H1B VISA? it doesn't matter however as you are fresh applicant and chance sof you getting approved while u r gone is less............but reconfirm with your local office about possibilities of going on these two options!!!
 
I am not an expert, but from my understanding and research and experience:
if you are on H1-B now, and have valid stamp on your passport, you can go and come back without AP.
if you don't have valid stamp on your passport, it is better to get AP which will save you tons of trouble.
You can get it from your local immigration office by "emergency".
Normally they will issue you on the site.
I got mine this way.
What you need:
1) documents showing need of emergency
2) two photos
3) I-131 forms.
4) valid passport
5) I-485 receipt
4) check

Hope this helps.
 
If they don't believe it, they won't even accept the I-131 form and won't ask you money, as i observed. It is worth trying. I don't see any harm there, only a couple of hours of your time plus parking fee.
 
Thank you very much for your responses! Here is the thing: I am not concerned about the travel/re-entry itself -- I do have a valid H-1B and a multiple-entry stamp in my passport valid until November 2006 and, from all I've heard/read, that should suffice for a smooth re-entry. What concerns me is how the intent of the travel may be perceived -- a job interview abroad while applying for a sponsored OR-based GC. Can that "intent" cause any problems? If it might, I'd rather skip the travel altogether no matter of its potential (mostly intangible) benefits...

Thanks again for your time!
 
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