Regarding Travel Document, Form I-131
Hi, I've got a question regarding Form I-131.
Me and my boyfriend are planning on getting married sometime this month, we're just going to the courthouse since we're both still in school. We've been living with each other for almost a year, we have a joint account, a car that has both of our names on it and we recently applied for a marriage license, this is definitely not a fraud!
But the problem is that he has not met my parents yet, he's only asked for the permission from my parents to marry me through phone in Chinese. I've met his parents and have had many great times and spent every holiday with them since we moved in together. We're planning on going to Taiwan (where I'm from) this December together so my parents can finally meet him. I've seen some posts that say I need to stay in the U.S. until my AOS goes through, if that's the case, then what is the purpose for I-131? I also heard that I still can travel, I just have to attach something like a copy of our ticket purchase along with the I-131 application. I'm a little bit confused, and I really need to know what to expect since it's either me staying and not go home until my case goes through or me purchasing the tickets now since they only get more expensive the later I purchase them.
I'm currently on a valid F-1 visa, full time student and we plan on submitting my AOS sometime between May and June, before July.
Thank you for your help-!
Re: Regarding Travel Document, Form I-131
The I-131 is an application for a travel document. Applying for something is a step toward getting it - the grant is not automatic. I would suggest delaying your trip if you don't have advance parole by your travel date.
The problem with traveling on your F-1 is that your filing of an I-130 and I-485 will demonstrate intent to immigrate - an F-1 is a non-immigrant visa, and will not support reentry once you have declared to the USCIS that you intend to immigrate.
You can check current processing times here. If you do want to petition to adjust your status and seek advance parole, and want to be reasonably sure that you'll have your decision by December, consider that it could be five or more months before you get your answer.