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Advance Parole is a travel document that allows individuals currently in the United States to travel abroad for a specific period and re-enter the country.
This permit is for immigrants who have applied for Adjustment of Status but have not yet received their Green Card. This is because, during the application and issuance process for the Green Card, the applicant cannot leave the country.
If an immigrant leaves the country while their Adjustment of Status is pending, USCIS will consider the Green Card application abandoned, and the applicant may not be able to re-enter the U.S.
Definition and purpose of Advance Parole
Advance Parole means advance permission, and it functions as a temporary travel permit so that permanent residency applicants can leave the country and re-enter before obtaining their official document.
It is a temporary travel document that must be presented to immigration officers when you wish to re-enter United States territory.
Who needs Advance Parole?
People who need Advance Parole are usually immigrants who must leave the United States for health, work, humanitarian, or educational reasons. However, the reason must be urgent; otherwise, the permit will not be granted.
Those who have applied for Adjustment of Status but whose document is pending, or DACA beneficiaries, may also require this permit. The latter are individuals who entered the country as minors and are protected by immigration laws from deportation.
Process for obtaining Advance Parole
Advance Parole is granted on a case-by-case basis. USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) reviews applications and determines who can leave the country and who cannot.
The application is made by submitting Form I-131, and once approved, USCIS will issue Form I-512L, or a temporary travel document.
Submitting Form I-131 to USCIS
Form I-131 must be completed and submitted by mail or through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website, along with documentation proving the need for travel.
Other items that must be submitted include: documents verifying the applicant's legal status in the country, photographs, a copy of an identity document, and payment of the filing fee.
What is Form I-131 and how is it used?
Form I-131 is the Application for Travel Document. It is also used to apply for **Parole** and **Re-entry Permits.**
Form I-131 fees and processing times
The fee to be paid when submitting Form I-131 is **$575.** If the applicant cannot pay that amount, a fee waiver can be requested using Form I-912.
USCIS has an estimated processing time for the travel document that varies by state. However, an average processing time of between 6 and 18 months has been established.
Issuance of Form I-512L: Travel document
Form I-512L is the travel document issued by USCIS once the Advance Parole application has been approved. This document must be presented to immigration officers upon re-entering the country.
Types of Advance Parole applicants
As explained above, Advance Parole can be requested by individuals who are in the process of adjusting their status, by DACA beneficiaries, or by immigrants with humanitarian, educational, or employment-related reasons.
Advance Parole for adjustment of status applicants
If an immigrant has already applied for an adjustment of status and is waiting for their Green Card, they may request Advance Parole to leave and enter the U.S. in cases of necessity and urgency.
DACA beneficiaries and the travel document
DACA beneficiaries can also apply for Advance Parole or a travel document. These are immigrants who entered the country as minors and are protected from deportation by immigration laws.
Advance Parole for humanitarian reasons
Humanitarian reasons for which USCIS may grant Advance Parole include: medical treatment, family reunification, caring for a seriously ill family member, or humanitarian work in extreme situations.
Advance Parole for educational and employment purposes
Advance Parole for educational reasons includes exchange students who have applied for permanent residency and wish to leave and enter the country, or individuals who need to attend educational activities abroad.
Employment reasons include cases where the applicant has a job that requires leaving the country or is of national interest, such as humanitarian aid work.
Importance of consulting with an immigration attorney
It is very important to consult with your trusted attorneys for any immigration or legal process. Consultations with attorneys are essential to avoid putting your application at risk and being deported from the country.
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