Question after family based 485 approved b/c memo

Dad's 485 approved today after mailing the memo to local INS office. He was interviewed last May, but was told the 485 is stuck in name check. Mailed memo and Q/A to local INS office on Monday 3/3, and got an email saying 'Card production ordered' today 3/6.

Question: my dad went back to China using AP last November, and is coming back in April. Could he hold AP without an actual green card, or should I mail his GC to him before April?

Thanks!!