F-1 on OPT travel using AP

[hnnt]

Hi all,

I just sent my application on friday next week (to the office in Chicago) and it has been a week but I haven't received a confirmation or anything yet. Is this normal? I'm from Dallas

I and my husband are planning to have a wedding in my hometown at the end of 2019. Would it be a risk to plan for the wedding now? Since we will have to pay for the deposit for the venue and it will be costly. I will have about 7 months to receive the AP but I am worried that it would take even longer than that? Also, would it safe for me to travel right after I got the combo card? Are we supposed to wait couple months after AP approved to make a trip?

I cam here as an F-1 and is currently applying for OPT. I just graduated in May. I came in 2012 and never went back to visit my country so my student visa expired already (I only have one year for visa). However, I have been always in good status by being a full time student. But i am still very worried about the chance of me not being able to enter back at the border. Can anyone have the same situation share the experiences? Thanks alot

[Enub4]

Did you send the package via USPS or other carrier? I read that with USPS can take up to a month to get confirmation and other carrier (Fedex, UPS) normally you get information in less than 2 weeks.

Sometimes the EAD/AP take more than 6 months and sometimes they don't even send you one because they are going to schedule an interview in 8 months or so. If I were in your situation, I will not plan anything until having EAD/AP on hand, mostly if it is costly and you will not be able to travel.

[hnnt]

really? i didnt know about that... my lawyer send via USPS. I checked the tracking number and it was received. hopefully i can hear back from them this week. Is there anyway I can check with the USCIS?

[Enub4]

I don't think you can do anything at this point, the case will not be in the system. You need to wait a couple of weeks to see if you receive something.

Did you file form G-1145? Did you pay with credit card or personal check?

[hnnt]

I am not aware of that form at all. Just googled it and it said "This service is available for applications filed at a USCIS Lockbox facility.". I think my lawyer submitted my papers to Chicago office and it is not lock book facility I think. I paid by personal check

[Enub4]

Oh, I didn't know that only the Lockbox facilities could send an email/SMS.
Reading about the Lockbox address, Chicago is one of them. Don't worry, my lawyer didn't attach one either, I had to wait until the letter came in the mail to know they accepted the forms (I paid the lawyer and they paid USCIS, so I didn't know when they cashed the lawyer's checks).
Maybe you will know everything is ok when they cash the check. I think you will know that before receiving the NOAs.