An advance parole travel permit allows current adjustment of status applicants to leave the United States for a temporary period and return without effectively discontinuing their application. An advance parole application shouldn’t be confused with a travel permit because it acts as a visa to get back into the country instead of acting like a passport.
An advance parole document is only valid for one year, whereas a travel permit is valid for up to two years. Ultimately, this document enables you to come back into the U.S. after time abroad without needing to apply for a visa and also preserves adjustment of status if applicable.
Who Needs Advance Parole?
There are a few reasons one could apply for an advance parole document. If you are a foreign national with a pending Adjustment of Status application, you should consider applying for parole when wishing to travel abroad.
Additionally, if you are a foreign national who was granted immigration benefits under a Family Unity Program, you can apply for advance parole to travel abroad.
Asylum applicants and those with protected status can also apply for advance parole if they wish to travel outside of the country for emergency purposes. However, if you are someone with asylum status, it’s recommended to not leave the country or not travel to the country they seek asylum from.
What Are the Benefits of Advance Parole?
Regarding advance parole, there are two significant benefits this document provides. These two benefits include
- Enabling you to return to the United States after traveling abroad without needing a visa
- Preserves your adjustment of status application if it’s pending in the USCIS
Eligibility Requirements to Apply for Advance Parole
Applying for advance parole requires you to prove you are eligible to do so. Aliens who are in the United States can apply for advance parole if they meet these requirements:
- Form I-485, Adjustment of Status is pending
- Refugee or asylum status has been granted
- Family Unity Program benefits have been granted
- Temporary protected status has been granted
- Asylum applications are pending
If you meet any of these requirements, you will be able to apply for an advance parole document and travel abroad without fear of losing your application for permanent residence. However, there are some reasons that aliens will not be able to apply for this document.
Who Can’t Apply for Advance Parole?
As stated above, there could be reasons that you cannot apply for an advance parole document. Aliens in the country are not eligible for advance parole if:
- You don’t hold a valid immigration status
- You have an open re-entry permit or valid refugee travel document
- You are a beneficiary of a private bill
- You are under removal proceedings
What Are the Documents and Information Needed to Apply for Advance Parole?
The application process for an advance parole card is relatively simple. First, you will need to fill out the official application form, Form I-131. This form is known as the Application for Travel Document. Once this form is filled out correctly and completed, you must collect the necessary supporting documents.
Along with your Form I-131, you must include the following:
- A receipt notice from USCIS about your pending green card
- Two passport photos
- A USCIS-approved document that shows your valid currently immigration status
- A copy of all government-issued identification (an ID, passport, driver’s license, or employment authorization document)
- Marriage certificates if applicable
- If applying for your child, you will need to include their birth certificate
- Any evidence you have that explain your reasons for travel abroad
When you have your completed form, your supporting documents with evidence for travel, and your filing fee, you can then submit your application to a USCIS office.
If you are located outside of the country, you will need to first get permission to apply at a local embassy or consulate and deliver your documents in person.
If submitting the application from outside the US, include the following:
- A statement explaining how your financial needs in the US will be met.
- Form I-134, Affidavit of Support
- A statement giving the details of your attempts at getting a US visa and the reason why a visa could not be obtained.
- A statement giving the details of your attempts at getting an inadmissibility waiver and the reason why a waiver could not be obtained, including a copy of the decision letter from the DHS.
- Copies of any decision on any immigration petitions filed for you and evidence of any pending petition for immigration.
- A statement explaining the emergent situation that requires an advance parole. Supporting documents validating your statement may be included and also the duration of your intended stay needs to be mentioned.
- Two FD-258s prepared by US Embassy, Consulate, US military installation or USCIS office. These fingerprint cards should not be bent, creased or folded and should show your Alien Registration Number.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Advance Parole?
An advance parole document will cost around $575 in total. This is the filing fee that is required, and in some bases, applicants will be asked to take a biometrics test. This test will be an additional $85.
The fee for this document should be sent into USCIS with your application. You are able to pay using a personal check, credit card, or money order. However, it’s important to note that if you are paying with a credit card, you must also include Form G-1450, which is the Authorization for Credit Card Transactions and will only be processed if this form is filled out.
How Long Does It Take to Get Advance Parole?
Typically, it will take around three to five months to process your advance parole application and receive your advance parole travel card. However, it takes this long only if everything is included and filled out correctly.
Your application may take longer if there are known backlogs at the USCIS office you have submitted your documents to or if you are missing information and are required to provide more evidence.
On the USCIS website, you can check the status of your application timeline and track your advance parole processing time.
Can You Get an Advance Parole Quicker?
In rare cases, you might be able to get your advance parole application approved quicker. In order to do so, you must have significant evidence to prove that your travel situation falls under one of the following circumstances:
- You have suffered great financial hardship
- You are in an emergency situation
- You have valid humanitarian reasons for travel
- You are affiliated with a nonprofit organization that needs to do work outside of the country
- You have made a request to the Department of Defense, and your travel promotes national interest
- USCIS made an error in your application
The USCIS will grant an emergency advance parole request if they believe that your reasons for requesting an expedited process are valid. To do so, you must visit the nearest USCIS field office with the following documents:
- Form I-131
- The filing fee
- Evidence supporting the emergency request
- Two passport-style photos
The USCIS usually processes advance parole requests that meet these requirements on the same day or within the week.
Difference Between Advance Parole & Re-Entry Permit
There are a few differences between advanced parole and a re-entry permit. Advance parole travel documents are issued to those who are not permanent residents but are applying to become permanent residents. Whereas re-entry permits are only for those who are already permanent residents of the United States.
Advance parole documents are also only valid for a year, whereas re-entry permits are valid for two years from the date they are issued. A re-entry permit works similarly to a passport, so it’s used to get back into the country easily. Advance parole documents don’t work as a passport but as a visa to get you back into the country.
If you are re-entering the country using an advance parole document, you will still need to present a valid passport. Both these documents work similarly, allowing travel outside of the country and re-entry back in.
Advance Parole Travel Tips
When you are traveling with your advance parole document, it’s important to remember that USCIS can revoke your parole for any reason. If this does occur while you are traveling abroad, you won’t be able to return to the U.S. empty-handed. You will then need to apply for valid visas or present eligible documentation for re-entry.
Apply for Your Advance Parole Document With Our Help Today!
There is never a downside to applying for an advance parole document if you wish to travel outside of the U.S. And with our help at ImmigrationDirect, we can make the process even easier. With our new immigration solutions, we can help you every step of the way.
If you wish to begin your application today, don’t hesitate to contact us. Immigration paperwork has never been more accessible, and we are always ready to answer any questions or help you if needed.
