Studying Aboard with AP

Hi everyone,

I'm a sophomore at Wharton (UPenn) and I would like to study abroad spring semester in either Ireland or Denmark. I currently have DACA and I was wondering if anyone has studied abroad while having DACA and using AP. I would receive acceptance to the programs in the fall around October (is that enough time to submit AP to leave in January), does AP also cover long program since I will be gone from January to May. I obviously don't need to study abroad but it's a great opportunity and the university gives me great support (in the form of financial aid) that makes it feasible.

Thank you!

First of all congrats on being a student in that excellent school. Second thing, you are definitely eligible for AP (for education purpose). In your application for AP, you will simply request that much time that you have to be out of country. You should add like an extra month before and after in your request just to be on the safe side and give you some extra room and just provide them proof that you're a student at Upenn and you are admitted to attend the study abroad session. Keep your proof simple and concise. The trick here is you have to be admitted and all set for that study abroad program so I suggest you go ahead and get that taken care of.

NOW, lets get to the uncertain part and that is the Trump Administration. In my personal opinion, I really don't think they will be ending DACA. They're even accepting new applications for DACA! So that is the big indicator to me.

In conclusion, if I was you, I'd freakin go for it. First step, get the study abroad application/admission sorted out so you are officially approved for the program. Second, submit the AP application with proof. You have to give them like at least two months to be approved for the AP. You would pick "educational reason" in the application.

Good luck.

Just to give you some idea as to how long this process may take, my AP application status on USCIS homepage just went from 'received' to 'the document is mailed' today, March 23rd. Since I sent my application in the beginning of November, it has taken over 4 months. I remember when I applied for my first AP back in 2013, it was approved in less than a month (even with a RFE), but now it seems like the average waiting period falls something between 3 - 5 months. I know one member on this forum whose AP just has been approved, and hers took just as long as mine. With that in mind, send your application as soon as possible to ensure your timely departure.