Travel Documents

[Ryan]

My wife and I are planning on a trip to Russia later this year I just want to make sure of something. Should I apply for a Reentry Permit? I have always thought that she must do this but now I am filling out the application and I am getting confused. (Yes it happens often) I read this I am not applying for a travel document based on advanced parole as my wife is a K-1 spouse of a U.S. citizen and form I-485 application to adjust status was filed. So do I have to fill out the application for travel document for reentry permit because she is conditional resident? If this is true how would I fill out the Part 5 of this form or do I simply leave it blank?

[KenC]

Hey Ryan,

I don't have the answer to your question as Lena refused to leave the country until she got her conditional GC.  She had no faith is the Advanced Parol.  I really just wanted to say hi.  I see your RW moved your butt out of MI!;)  Much like Lena moved mine to CA.  Those RW have a way about them, don't they?  BTW, your wife looks like a real sweetie.  You did very good.  Take care.

KenC

[Ryan]

Hello Ken,

Thanks for the reply it's been a long time since long ago when I started this process.  I feel sorry for the guys now days...  Anyway yes we are now chasing the money around the country and we have started in south florida.  Now we are in North florida I keep increasing the salary and having to get a bigger uhaul with each move....

As for the Travel Papers.. You see the way I read this is that Advance parol is for fiance's to go back befor you get married (you only have 90 days to get married so why would you want to go back so quick, thats why you really have to show cause with the Advance parol) now that I we are married it seem that I would still need to fill out the same I-131 form but do the section for "reenrty" but some of the questions for "reentry are relating to perminate residence anyway I know your not up on this and I am just rambling now but for anyone else that might read....

Ryan


P.S. yes my wife is hot...  But you know everything is really great but their are times when I have to really stay cool... I love everything that I did but at the same time I am not sure I could ever reccomend this process to anyone.  Put it this way 90% of the men I have met in my life could have never done what some of us here have done. It really is very hard to do... Also .. I sometimes really miss being single.. Then again sometimes not....  Same old wishie washhis ryan.....

[BC]

Ryan,

Wish I could help more with your specific questions but can't. We don't have a problem travelling back and forth here. Nothing similar to advanced parole type situations.

I'm sure folks like jb or jet could give some authorative opin.  I don't think they would mind a pm if you don't get an the answers you are looking for soon.

I do agree with your 90% figure..  There is absolutely nothing that I would consider 'easy' about this venture.. 

[KenC]

P.S. yes my wife is hot...  But you know everything is really great but their are times when I have to really stay cool... I love everything that I did but at the same time I am not sure I could ever reccomend this process to anyone.  Put it this way 90% of the men I have met in my life could have never done what some of us here have done. It really is very hard to do... Also .. I sometimes really miss being single.. Then again sometimes not....  Same old wishie washhis ryan.....

Naw, don't be so hard on yourself.  All marriages have their ups & downs, but you are right, a RW is not for the faint of heart.

KenC

[Ryan]

This is simply not true.  The advance parol is for travel outside the U.S.  before she gets any GC.  It is her "visa" to get back into the U.S..

 

[line]

Ken,

California has really doing a number on ya...  Your wrong, advance parole is an extraordinary measure used sparingly to bring an otherwise inadmissible alien to the United States for a temporary period of time due to a compelling emergency.  (Form I-131 Page 1 Instructions)  However you use the same I-131 for reentry permit but you don't need to put up as much evidence as it is not a compelling emergency.

Note: same page I. Who May file this form.. Reentry Permit.....A.

This is just so much fun.....Just like old times...

 

[Jack]

the ole Ryan's back!!!!!! 

(Hey big guy, glad to hear your doing well)

[RussianGal]

My wife and I are planning on a trip to Russia later this year I just want to make sure of something. Should I apply for a Reentry Permit? ... she is conditional resident ...

If your wife does not have a Green Card yet, than yes she must apply for AP, so she could come back to the US. It`ll be valid for 1 year.
(It took me 1.5 months to get mine in Michigan)
 
I used my AP once - went to Canada. Not a problem.
On my way back to the States, a custom officer took one of my two identical AP papers, put a stamp in my passport (valid for 1 year) and that was it.

[jb]

Rayn,

RussianGal is exactly right, until your wife gets her GC she must have the AP in order to get back into the USA if she goes back to the Rodina.  It is her authorization to return home until the AOS process is completed.

Remember, the instant you said the "I do's", her K-1 flew out the window and she went from being a K-1 fiancee, to being a spouse pending "Adjustment of Status".  The I-131 is issued in lieu of a GC for a one year period and if the AOS is not completed in one year you must reapply for a new AP.

More $$$ for the BCIS.

[al-c]

She absolutely, positively cannot leave without either the AP or the GC.

Nobody will stop her from leaving, nor will they even warn her that she lacks one of these two items.  Her Russian passport is all she needs to go back there.

The problem will be when she tries to return home.  She will be denied re-admission to the United States without either the GC or the AP.  You will then have to apply for a new K-3 for her and wait the 6 months or so for it to happen.

 

[Jet]

Man you guys make this wayyy more confusing than it needs to be .

Ryan,

As russiangal stated - you say she is a conditional resident. If so and she has the I-551 stamp in her passport OR a conditional greencard, that is ALL YOU NEED.

QUOTE  from the I-131 instructions:

[align=left]If you stay outside the United States for less than one[/align]
[align=left]year, you are not required to apply for a reentry permit.[/align]
[align=left]You may reenter the United States on your Permanent[/align]
[align=left]Resident Card (Form I-551).[/align]

 

Advance Parole is for anyone who has ALREADY filed the I-485 app. to Adjust Status but HAS NOT yet been approved for conditional (or unconditional) residence.

Re-entry permits are for those wishing to spend more than a year residing abroad.

[RacerX]

Don't you just love this stuff?  All this great advice!

The basic problem is the USCIS forms are designed by the same people who make the IRS ones, which means they are confusing.

The I-131 can be, like all other USCIS forms, used by many people for many reasons. 

Your wife, as a GC holder, need do nothing.

However, if one had spent a extraordinary amount of time overseas (probably more than one year, maybe two....) then you must kiss butt and apply for a re-entry permit.

Luckily you two can come and go freely.

[al-c]

Green card is synonymous with conditional resident/unconditional resident.

Hope this makes things clearer.

Yes, this stuff is confusing, and there have been cases of RW unwittingly locking themselves or their children out of the U.S. by not knowig the rules and making a mistake.

So know them and consult with a lawyer if you have to.  Paying for a consultation and doing it right is a lot cheaper and faster than fixing a mistake after the fact.

 

[KenC]

The advance parol is for travel outside the U.S.  before she gets any GC.  It is her "visa" to get back into the U.S..

KenC[/size][/b]

[RacerX]

[size="3"]The advance parol is for travel outside the U.S.  before she gets any GC.  It is her "visa" to get back into the U.S..[/size]

[/size][/b]

Ken, might be that the only "parol" (other than the one lawyers use) I am familar with are those Filipina Christmas lanterns.

[Jet]

Isn't that what I said?

 

KenC, your answer was not wrong I just want to be sure it was crystal-clear as Ryan seemed to be getting a little twisted up with the terminology

[START2]

I'm beginning to get a little worried. We were married in Sept. By the end of Oct., I had all our documents sent in including a travel doc. To date, all I have received have been receipts. I haven' t inquired to the agency yet but I feel I need to contact them and see what our status is. To very bad things have happend so far. We applied for Val to get a SS card. Was turned down. Applied again, no word yet.  Filed for a ITIN for my step son. Form W-7.  Was denied that as well.  The reason? If you can believe it, WE SENT THEM TO MUCH F&%$#$&(&@G  INFO. That one really pissed me off. I just wanted it so I could include my stepson on my taxes and have a # that school requested.  Called all the phone numbers the gave me but never got a straight answer from any of the IRS reps. Even visited the local ofice but that's worse. I'd at least like to be able to get the biometrics for my wife but haven't heard on that either.  I suggest that you file for that travel doc ASAP. It may take a while to receive it.  Good luck.

[catzenmouse]

Darryl,

 Don't you just LUV the system! Keep the faith brother but call them to check it out. Have Val there with you when you call as they may need to have her say "Yes" on the phone to give you the information as it is her petition and in some cases you are not able to find out anything without her okay.

Ken