Advance Parole

Advance Parole
(Travel Document for Green Card Applicants)

Advance Parole is a type of travel document which green card applicants can acquire if they desire to re-enter the U.S. after travel outside of the country.
Before leaving the United States on an emergency situation, aliens should determineadvance parole if they need a travel document to re-enter the country. Of several types of travel documents is advance parole, which is an INS-permission for certain foreign nationals, who do not hold a valid immigrant visa, to re-enter the country after traveling overseas. An alien, whose adjust of status petition (I-485 application) is pending approval, leaves the U.S. without obtaining advance parole is automatically abandoning his application for adjustment of status. Such a person will not generally be allowed to re-enter the country upon his return.

Eligibility for Applying Advance Parole:

You can apply for this advance permission if you reside in the United States and have: 

  • an awaiting adjustment of status petition

  • been held Refugee/asylee status

  • been awarded Temporary Protected Status

  • been granted Family Unity Program benefits

  • an pending asylum application; and/or

  • an emergent private or authentic reason to travel temporarily overseas.

Note: Advance parole document does not apply to aliens who hold valid H-1 temporary worker visa or L-1 intra-company transferee visa, and their dependants in L-2 or H-4 status who have filed for adjustment of status. Clearly, these aliens have no chance for filing for advance parole as long as they retain their non-immigrant status.

Refugees and asylees who have applied to green card under INA section 209 can travel abroad on a valid Refugee Travel Document and do not want to apply for this advance permission.

Ineligibility for Advance Parole:

Though you are living in the United States, you can't apply for the advance parole if you are:

  • holding an invalid immigration status

  • an exchange alien subjected to the foreign resident requirement,

  • a recipient of a private bill, or

  • under barring proceedings.

Please note that advance parole document does not promise admittance into the United States. Aliens with this admission document still subject to the USCIS inspection process at the port of entry.

Filling Application for Travel Document:

You must file USCIS Form I-131 petition at your local USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) office or the Service Center having control over your place of dwelling. Supporting credentials required are photos, fee and set of documents.

Form I-131 is available by submitting a request to USCIS, usually by mail.

Necessary Documents Include:

  • Copy of documents showing official photo identity, present status in the country, and the proof of consular appointment which is required only when alien travels to Canada to apply for an immigrant visa;

  •  A clarification or other proof representing the situations that warrant issuing of advance parole; and 

  • A copy of the filing receipt for adjustment of status or asylum, if the alien uses separate application for travel document.

Remember that your travel document will be worthless if you attained the advance parole by submitting false material/documents, or if you are required to deport from the U.S.

We at immspec.com, as part of all services, provide assistance preparing your I-131 Form for advance parole. If you have any more queries, visit our contact page and let us hear from you. We are always prepared to answer all your queries.