refugee travel document vs advance parole

Form I-131: The Advance Parole Travel Document Explained

If you have or are applying for a green card, DACA status, or certain humanitarian visas, and you want to travel outside the United States, you need to get a travel document from the U.S. government. You apply for this document by filing Form I-131: Application for Travel Document with USCIS. This allows you to get what’s called an Advance Parole document. Below is a guide on how to apply for Advance Parole step-by-step as well as tips for to plan for your temporary travel.

Written by Jonathan Petts .  Updated September 24, 2023

What Is Advance Parole?

An Advance Parole document allows current green card applicants to leave the United States for temporary travel and return without disrupting their green card (permanent resident card) application process. There are a few situations you can be in while applying for Advance Parole, such as: having a pending application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or being a DACA recipient. In this article, we are focusing on individuals applying for Advance Parole with a pending green card application . 

To apply for Advance Parole, you must file Form I-131: Application for Travel Document with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Green card applicants looking to travel abroad for any reason must obtain Advance Parole before leaving the United States. If you leave the U.S. without the proper travel documents, USCIS will close your green card application.  

Why Do I Need Advance Parole?

You need Advance Parole if you have a pending green card (permanent resident card) application and want to take a trip outside the United States. If you leave the United States without Advance Parole and USCIS hasn’t approved your green card application, the agency will consider your case abandoned and likely deny for application.

If USCIS closes your green card application, you have to start the process over again, which is expensive and time-consuming. To avoid this, you need to complete Form I-131: Application for Travel Document and apply for Advance Parole before leaving the U.S.

You do not need to apply for Advance Parole if you are waiting for USCIS to process your Form I-485 and you are: 

A temporary worker under a valid H-1 visa (or their spouse or child)

An intra-company transferee under a valid L-1 visa (or their spouse or child)

Who Is Eligible for Advance Parole?

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis. You’re eligible to apply for Advance Parole if you fall within one of these categories:

You submitted an adjustment of status green card application using Form I-485

You applied for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)* 

You submitted an asylum application or you are an asylee

You currently have a pending application for temporary resident status under Section 245(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)

USCIS granted you TPS, T nonimmigrant, or U nonimmigrant status 

USCIS or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) granted you humanitarian parole under Section 212 (d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)

You received benefits through the Family Unity Program

You’re a DACA recipient

*On July 1, 2022 USCIS began issuing a new travel authorization document for people who receive TPS. This new form is called: Form I-512T, Authorization for Travel by a Noncitizen to the United States.

Who Is Not Eligible for Advance Parole?

You aren’t eligible for Advance Parole if one or more of the following applies to you:

You are residing in the United States without valid immigration status after entering unlawfully many times

You have a valid reentry permit or refugee document 

You are on a J visa or a visa with a foreign residence requirement

You are a beneficiary of a private immigration bill approved by Congress

You are currently in the middle of a removal proceeding (deportation)

You are an asylee or a refugee, but you’re not adjusting your status to a green card 

If you’ve been in the United States unlawfully, you may file for Advance Parole. However, even if granted, you still may be barred from reentry by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

If you’ve lived in the United States without status for any period of time, you should always consult an immigration lawyer before traveling abroad. If you can't afford a lawyer, you can contact a legal aid office for help.

How Do I Apply for Advance Parole? A Step-by-Step Guide

First, you will need to complete the official application form, called Form I-131: Application for Travel Document. When you have completed the form, you will have to gather the government filing fees and supporting documentation, and then finally submit them together with Form I-131 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Step 1: Complete Form I-131

Form I-131 is officially called the Application for Travel Document. This document is used for anyone applying for a Reentry Permit, a Refugee Travel Document, and Advance Parole. You cannot submit your travel permit request to the U.S. government without completing and signing this form. 

You can complete the form in two ways — either online by creating a MyUSCIS account or on paper by downloading, printing, and completing the most recent version of Form I-131 from the USCIS website. You will need your Alien Registration Number (A Number) to complete your application.

Step 2: Gather Fees & Supporting Documents for Form I-131

When you have completed Form I-131, it is time to gather the $575 filing fee and the required supporting documents. You must include these supporting documents with the Form I-131 application:

Your receipt notice from USCIS after filing Form I-485, if your green card is pending

Two passport-style photographs 

USCIS-issued document showing the validity of your current immigration status — this could be an approval/receipt notice ( Form I-797 )

A photocopy of a government-issued identification document (ID), which must include your name, date of birth, and a photo — examples of acceptable forms of ID include a passport, drivers license, and employment authorization document (EAD)

Marriage certificate (if applying for Advance Parole based on your spouse’s pending green card application)

Child’s birth certificate (if applying for Advance Parole for a child based on a pending child green card application)

Detailed evidence explaining your reasons for traveling — you can explain your reasons with a Declaration of Support Letter

If any of your supporting documents aren’t in English, USCIS requires the documents be accompanied by a certified English translation .

It’s also a good idea to include a cover letter for your application. This short letter explains what supporting documents are in your application and helps keep things organized.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

You can submit your completed Form I-131: Application for Travel Document and supporting documents to USCIS either online or by mail. To submit online, you must first create a MyUSCIS account . Then you can submit your petition through your account on the USCIS website.

If you choose to submit your USCIS forms by mail, you will have to send your application packet to a specific USCIS filing address. The address depends on where you live and what mail service you use to send your forms. For Advance Parole applicants who have a pending Form I-485 (green card) application, you’ll send your documents either to the USCIS lockbox in Chicago, Dallas, or Phoenix. The USCIS website lists these addresses .

If You’re Filing Form I-131 Overseas

If you’re filing Form I-131 overseas, you must first get permission from your local U.S. embassy or consulate. You’ll have to set up an appointment with your local U.S. embassy to make your request in person. The State Department has an up-to-date list of all U.S. embassies and consulates.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Advance Parole?

The filing fee for Form I-131 is $575. If you cannot afford this filing fee, you may be able to apply for a fee waiver by filing Form I-912 . You can also check out our tips for fundraising the fees .

You can pay using a money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or credit card. All checks should be made payable to the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” If you’re using a credit card, you must also file Form G-1450 : Authorization for Credit Card Transactions with your Form I-131 application. USCIS can only process your credit card payment using Form G-1450. 

How Long Does It Take To Get Advance Parole?

It’s currently taking USCIS 6 to 18 months to process Advance Parole applications. Processing times vary a lot by USCIS service center and may change over time. Your Form I-131 application can be delayed if you didn’t fill it out completely and correctly, mail it to the correct address, and ensure USCIS received it. 

The application processing time may take longer if the USCIS service center handling your case is experiencing significant processing backlogs. You can see USCIS’ current processing times on its webpage.

I Have an Emergency. Can I Get Advance Parole Quicker?

In some cases, USCIS will expedite applications. This can reduce the processing time to 30 days. To expedite your Advance Parole document application, you must demonstrate to USCIS that:

You’ve suffered a financial loss to your company or person

You’re experiencing an emergency

You have a valid humanitarian reason

You’re affiliated with a nonprofit organization requesting an expedited application for culture or social interests benefiting the United States

Your request is made by the Department of Defense or another U.S. government agency to promote the national interest

USCIS made an administrative error

You have another compelling interest determined by USCIS

USCIS grants emergency Advance Parole requests based on its officers’ discretion in emergencies. To do this, you will have to visit the nearest USCIS office with the following documents:

A completed Form I-131

Evidence supporting the emergency request

Two passport-style photos

Successful emergency Advance Parole requests are usually processed on the same day. 

What You Need To Know When Traveling With Advance Parole

Once you’ve successfully applied for Advance Parole, you cannot leave the United States until you’ve received your physical travel document. 

Typically, an Advance Parole document allows you temporary travel for up to one year abroad. However, USCIS reserves the right to revoke your Advance Parole document for any reason. If this happens, you cannot return to the United States without a valid U.S. visa or other documentation. 

You should also be mindful of scheduled fingerprinting ( biometric services ) and interview appointments. Although your travel permit may allow temporary travel for up to one year, you may miss many of these appointments without regularly returning to the U.S. 

The same goes for regularly receiving mailed communications (such as a notice of action ) from USCIS, which help you understand the status of your application. It’s best to make arrangements to receive mail while traveling abroad or update your mailing address with USCIS.

Reentry Into the U.S.

It is important to know that even if you have a valid Advance Parole document , there is no guarantee you can reenter the U.S. after traveling abroad. When arriving at a port of entry upon your return to the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will conduct an inspection and determine your admission back into the U.S. Unfortunately, DHS could deny your reentry. 

It is also possible for DHS to revoke your Advance Parole at any time, including while you are abroad. This can happen even if your Form I-131 application has been approved and you have the correct Advance Parole documents. With these risks, it is crucial to determine whether temporary travel outside of the United States is necessary.

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Advance Parole

Due to recent changes to U.S. immigration law, travel outside of the United States may have severe consequences for aliens who are in the process of adjusting their status or applying for an immigrant visa (refugees and asylees). Upon return, these aliens may be found inadmissible, their applications may be denied, or both. It is important that the alien obtain the proper documentation before leaving the United States.

Aliens who have pending applications for certain immigration benefits need Advance Parole to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad.

Aliens applying for advance parole on the basis of a pending application for adjustment of status must be approved for advance parole prior to leaving the United States in order to avoid the termination of their pending application for adjustment . Note: this does not apply to aliens who have applied to adjust to permanent resident status and who maintain H-1B (Specialty Worker) or L-1 (Intracompany Transferee) status, or their dependents, who have applied to adjust to permanent resident status and who have valid H-1B or L status and valid visas, V nonimmigrants who have a valid V nonimmigrant visa, are in valid V nonimmigrant status and have or obtain a valid V nonimmigrant visa before applying for readmission to the US, and K-3/4 nonimmigrants who have applied to adjust to permanent resident status and who have a valid K-3/4 nonimmigrant visa, are in valid K-3/4 nonimmigrant status and have or obtain a valid K-3/4 nonimmigrant visa before applying for readmission to the US.

An I-131 application for Advance Parole is filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) pursuant to the instructions found on their Website.

Aliens in the United States should, prior to departure , obtain Advance Parole in order to re-enter the United States after travel abroad if they have:

• Filed an application for adjustment of status but have not received a decision from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services;
• Hold refugee or asylee status and intend to depart temporarily to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa in Canada; and/or
• An emergent personal or bona fide reason to travel temporarily abroad.

Applicants who are the beneficiary of a Private bill and Applicants who are under deportation proceedings must file to the Department of Homeland Security, 425 I Street, NW, ATTN: Parole and Humanitarian Assistance Branch, Washington, DC 20536. Aliens in the United States are not eligible for Advance Parole if they are:

• In the United States illegally; or
• An exchange alien subject to the foreign residence requirement.

Please note that Advance Parole does not guarantee admission into the United States. Aliens with Advance Parole are still subject to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection process at the port of entry.

For more information, please visit the State Department website or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website. To apply for a passport, U.S. citizens can visit State Department website or call the U.S. Passport Office at 1-877-4USA-PPT or TDD/TYY: 1-888-874-7793. Foreign residents should contact their respective governments to obtain passports.

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The “Advance Parole” I-131 Application for Travel Document

How to apply for a travel permit while waiting for your green card.

In this guide

• Why You Need a Travel Document
• When and How to Apply For a Travel Document
• Travel Restrictions and Renewing Your Travel Document
• Emergencies
• Planning Your Trip
• Returning to the United States With a Travel Document
• More Advance Parole FAQs
• Related Information

What is a travel permit?

A travel permit is a document that allows someone living in the U.S. while awaiting their green card to travel abroad without nullifying their green card application.

What is USCIS Form I-131?

Form I-131 is officially called the Application for Travel Document, and can be used to apply for one of several types of travel documents, such as a re-entry permit , refugee travel document , TPS travel authorization document , or the advance parole travel document , which is the subject of this guide.

What is Advance Parole?

The advance parole travel document permits you to travel back to the U.S. without applying for another visa, and without nullifying the application you have in progress. It is commonly used when someone has a pending application for permanent residence , adjustment of status or asylum .

Your green card application will be terminated if you leave the United States while that application is pending, unless you have a valid travel document at the time you leave the country.

Even if you don’t have any specific travel plans, it’s a good idea to apply for a travel document at the same time you first submit your green card application. Then, if you do need to travel for a family emergency, a business opportunity, or any other reason, you won’t need to decline because of your pending green card application.

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The travel document provides someone living in the United States with “advance parole.” (This has nothing to do with the “parole” you hear about in an episode of Law & Order . In the context of immigration law, “advance parole” is just a technical way of saying “permission ahead of time to re-enter the United States.”)

If you leave the United States while your green card application is pending and you don’t have a travel document, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will consider your green card application abandoned and will deny it. At best, that means you’ll have to redo all of the paperwork and pay the fees a second time. At worst, you could find yourself unable to re-enter the United States.

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The fastest and easiest way to apply for a travel document is as part of the original marriage green card application package you send to USCIS, by including Form I-131 (“Application for Travel Document”) along with the main forms ( I-130 and I-485 ).

You must attach a copy of your photo identification (such as a copy of the photo page of your passport) to the travel document application, as well as two passport-sized photos . There is no additional fee if you submit your travel document application (Form I-131) at the same time as your initial application for a green card (Form I-485, filed anytime after July 30, 2007).

If you’ve already submitted your green card application, you can still get a travel document that will allow you to leave the United States. In this case, when you file Form I-131 with USCIS, include a copy of your photo ID, two passport-sized photos, and a copy of the receipt notice showing that USCIS previously received your green card application including the full application fee. You will still be required to pay the $630 fee to file Form I-131 with a pending green card application.

It’s essential that you don’t leave the United States until you’ve actually received your travel document, but otherwise there are no travel restrictions for marriage-based green card applicants. You can only remain outside the United States, however, as long as you re-enter the U.S. before the expiration date printed on your travel document.

The travel document is valid for one year after it’s issued, typically within 150 days (in some cases longer) after submitting your application materials to USCIS. (Until recently, the normal processing time for a travel document was 90 days, but a growing backlog has caused additional delays. USCIS provides a database where you can check the most current processing times , updated once per month.)

If you haven’t received your green card yet and you plan to travel after that year has elapsed, it’s important to renew your travel document in a timely fashion. You can file a renewal application as early as 120 days before your current travel document expires, and it’s a good idea to submit the renewal as early as possible. The renewal travel document is usually processed within the same timeframe as that for the initial application: 150 days or longer. It’s important to plan ahead to avoid gaps in your ability to travel.

To renew your travel document, submit Form I-131 with a copy of your current travel document, a copy of the receipt notice from your green card application, and two passport-sized photos. There is no additional fee.

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It is possible to get an expedited travel document if you need to travel because of an emergency. USCIS issues emergency travel documents in situations like the death or sudden illness of a family member abroad. If you find yourself in this situation, you can make an appointment with your local USCIS office . You should bring your completed I-131, two passport photos, and evidence to prove that you have an urgent need to travel. This evidence might be a death certificate, medical records, or a signed letter from your family member’s doctor. There is no additional fee for an emergency travel document.

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The travel document usually arrives within 150 days (sometimes longer) after submitting your application. You can’t leave the country until you have your approved travel document in hand, so you should expect to spend the 3–5 months after submitting your green card application in the United States.

Theoretically, you could be out of the United States for as long as you have a travel document (one year plus renewals). In practice, however, that’s not possible, because then you would miss your fingerprinting and green card interview appointments . If you find that you are unable to attend your fingerprinting or interview appointment, you should promptly follow the rescheduling instructions printed on the USCIS appointment notice.

In general, it’s a good idea to make arrangements to be alerted of any USCIS notices that are sent to you while you are abroad. (For example, you can ask a friend or a neighbor to inform you of any USCIS notices you receive by mail.)

Even after you have submitted your green card application, you are still not a permanent resident of the United States. When you re-enter the United States , you’ll be considered an “arriving alien.” It’s fairly common for people with travel documents to be pulled aside for secondary inspection. Don’t be alarmed if that happens—the border agent is likely just verifying that you have a pending green card application.

Travel documents do not guarantee that the border agent will allow you back into the United States, however. If you have any reason to suspect that you might be turned away at the border, you should carefully consider whether or not you need to travel before your green card application has been approved.

For example, If you have been in the United States for any amount of time without legal immigration status, then leaving the United States under most circumstances will trigger a bar from re-entering the United States for either three or ten years , depending on how long you were in the United States without status. If you’re in this situation, it is a good idea to avoid travel until you have a green card.

In summary, there is really no downside to applying for a travel document at the same time you submit your green card application, so you should do so even if you don’t have any specific travel plans.

If you are in the U.S. and have applied for a green card but are still waiting for your application to be processed, then you might be interested in applying for a travel permit to travel outside the U.S.. Otherwise, if you leave without the travel document, USCIS may consider your green card application abandoned.

If you already have a green card, and wish to leave the U.S. for more than a year but less than two years, then you might also be interested in arranging for a travel document before you leave.

No, Advance Parole does not guarantee admission into the United States. Upon arriving at a port of entry, you’ll undergo inspection by Customs and Border Protection officers who will make the final decision on whether to admit you.

The Advance Parole document itself does not grant permission to work. However, individuals who have filed an adjustment of status application may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) while waiting for a decision on their application.

If your Advance Parole document expires while you’re abroad, you might have difficulties returning to the U.S. It’s generally advised to return to the U.S. before your Advance Parole expires.

You can choose not to apply for a work permit now. If the applicant changes their mind later, they may apply for the work permit at any time after filing Form I-485 (officially called the “Application for Adjustment of Status”).

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Immigration guides.

• Green Cards, Explained
• Average Green Card Processing Times
• Marriage Green Cards, Explained
• How is a Fiancé Visa Different from a Marriage-Based Green Card?
• How Long Does It Take to Get a Marriage Green Card in the U.S.?
• What Are The Costs of a Marriage Green Card?
• What Documents Do I Need for a Marriage-Based Green Card?
• What is an Affidavit of Support? U.S. Immigration Help for Spouses
• Preparing for the Green Card Interview—U.S. Immigration Help
• U.S. Immigration Forms
• Traveling Outside the United States as a Green Card Holder
• Can I Travel Outside the U.S. While My Adjustment of Status Is Pending?

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Advance Parole and other Immigration Travel Documents

We know that navigating and applying for all the various USCIS travel documents can be a little confusing and overwhelming. Thus, the aim of this article is to explain the various travel documents in a simple and easy-to-understand way, so that you will know exactly what you may need. 

Have you applied for Adjustment of Status to have Permanent Residency, you haven’t yet heard back, but you need to travel abroad.  

Generally, if you leave the United States while your Adjustment of Status application is pending, you will “abandon” your application for Permanent Residency. Thus, typically, in order to avoid abandoning your Permanent Residency application, you’ll need to apply for something called Advance Parole. 

When you come into the United States lawfully as a nonimmigrant, or as someone with an immigrant visa, you typically have your visa in your passport and you talk with a Customs and Border Protection officer at the Port of Entry (think the airport or at the road border crossings from Mexico and Canada). This talk with the official is really an “inspection,” and assuming there are no problems, then you are typically “admitted” into the United States with the visa status that you applied for. When traveling abroad and returning to the United States with “Advance Parole,” you aren’t actually legally speaking, “admitted” into the United States. You instead hold a document that allows you to be granted “parole” into the United States, and you come in as a “parolee.” It is a subtle distinction between a parolee and someone lawfully admitted, but an important one. 

Why?  

Because applying for “Advance Parole” before you leave the country, does not guarantee you will be able to enter as a parolee. It only makes you eligible for parole. Thus, if you had fallen out of status by accruing unlawful presence while in the United States on your visa, or did something else that would make you ineligible to be admitted, then you may be denied entrance as a parolee if you try to come back into the United States with Advance Parole. In the vast majority of cases, there won’t be any problem traveling abroad with Advance Parole and reentering as a parolee, if you didn’t accrue unlawful presence or do something otherwise to make you inadmissible to the U.S. However, if you have immigration violations that potentially make you inadmissible (but not necessarily deportable), you will probably want to speak with an attorney about your options. It may be much better for you to wait until your I-485 Application is decided, if at all possible, before traveling.

How does one apply for Advance Parole?  

You apply for Advance Parole before you leave the country by filing Form I-131. Typically, filing this will be free assuming you file it concurrently with, or after you file an I-485 Application to Adjust Status. If you file it after filing an I-485; and not concurrently, you will probably want to include a cover letter that specifies that the fee is not included as part of your I-131 application; because it is associated with a previously filed Adjustment of Status petition. Assuming you file it concurrently with your Adjustment of Status petition, and concurrently with an Employment Authorization Document (I-765), then you should receive both your Employment Authorization and your Advance Parole on one plastic card. The card will typically be valid for two years, though USCIS has the authority to issue validity periods that are shorter or longer than that.  Also, there are some categories of aliens that do not need Advance Parole: Aliens who have valid H, L, K, or V nonimmigrant visas, do not typically need to apply for Advance Parole.  If you have one of these unexpired statuses and otherwise continue to be admissible to the United States, you can just come back to the United States after traveling abroad and present your valid visa to the official. 

***One more very important note about Advance Parole, before we get into the other travel documents

***Although unlikely, the Department of Homeland Security, has the authority to revoke or terminate your Advance Parole Document at any time; even if you are outside the United States. This means that in the unlikely event that this happens (perhaps for National Security reasons), you may not be able to return to the U.S. without having a valid visa or other travel documents that permits you to seek admission in the U.S. 

Are you already a Conditional Permanent Resident or a Lawful Permanent Resident, and do you need to travel abroad? Well if so, the first question is, how long are you going to be gone?  If you’re going to be gone less than a year, you don’t need to do anything special, technically. You can simply travel abroad as a Conditional Permanent Resident or a Lawful Permanent Resident, and you can come in using your Permanent Residency Card (Form I-551). However, if you have been a “resident” abroad, or if DHS thinks so, even if you’ve been gone for less than a year, you could be found to have “abandoned” your Permanent Resident Status.  There is no set-in-stone rule for this, but if you’re going to be abroad for an extended period of time, but less than a year, you may still want to think of applying for a Reentry Permit. If you are going to be abroad for a year or more, however, you are definitely going to need to apply for a Reentry Permit, prior to traveling. Reentry Permit shows that you did not intend to abandon your status. It is typically valid for two years and allows you to stay on trips abroad for up to two years without having to obtain a Returning Resident visa.  If you stay outside the United States for one year or more without a Reentry Permit, then you will be thought to have abandoned your Permanent Residency status. If you are abroad in this situation, you’ll need to speak with an attorney and/or the U.S. Consulate abroad and pursue a Returning Resident Visa. 

How do you apply for a Reentry Permit? 

To apply for a Reentry Permit you will use the same, Form I-131, as you would to apply for Advance Parole. You simply have to check another box, and as with Advance Parole, you must apply while in the United States. You should apply at least 60 days before you intend to go abroad, but you don’t actually have to stay put in the United States while you wait to receive your Reentry Permit. You can actually proceed abroad after applying if you specify on your application that you would like to pick up your Reentry Permit at a U.S. embassy, consulate, or DHS office abroad. However, for this to be an option, you will need to make sure you do your Biometrics (fingerprinting, photographs, and a signature sample) with USCIS before going abroad.

One important added benefit to the Reentry Permit:  Very often you can use a Reentry Permit instead of a passport from your home country, for purposes of traveling abroad. Many countries accept Reentry Permits as passport substitutes. They will simply place whatever visas and entry/exit stamps are necessary inside of the permit. Thus, you’ll have to check with each country before you visit to make sure they will accept it, but this can be a great option if you don’t wish to pursue a passport from your home country while on Permanent Resident status. 

Are you someone with valid Refugee or Asylee Status, or a Permanent Resident who attained their Green Card from their Refugee or Asylee status?If you have applied for asylum and you have been granted asylee status (but you aren’t a Permanent Resident yet), you will need to apply for something called a Refugee Travel Document before traveling abroad, unless you have applied for and received Advance Parole, already.  Typically, applying for a Refugee Travel Document will be a better bet than Advance Parole, since it is a cheaper application to file by itself (only $220 dollars for most adults with Biometrics included vs. $575 dollars for Advance Parole when filed alone). If you are someone with Refugee status, you are required to apply for Green Card status after a year of being in valid refugee or asylee status anyway, so you can apply for Advance Parole for free when you apply to Adjust your Status (see the concurrent filing of Advance Parole discussed above). If you are in Asylee status, although not required to apply for Permanent Residency after a year, doing so can benefit you. You can also take advantage of the concurrent filing discussed for Refugees to get Advance Parole for free. Thus, you should ideally only need the Refugee Travel Document until you become a Permanent Resident and this is fine since the Refugee Travel Document only has a validity period of one year. Also, much like a Reentry Permit, you may typically use your Refugee Travel Document instead of a passport. You’ll have to check with the country you plan on visiting, but typically you may do this. 

How to apply for a Refugee Travel Document:  As with the other USCIS travel documents we have described, you use Form I-131 and check the appropriate box, to apply for the Refugee Travel Document. Also, you’ll have to submit the appropriate filing fee which is $220 dollars for most adults (as compared with $575 dollars for Advance Parole).  One highly important note for Asylee and Refugee status holders:  If you travel back to the country where you faced the harm or persecution that made you eligible for your Asylee/Refugee status in the first place, you may lose your Asylee/Refugee status if you are found to have availed yourself of the protection of that country. Although it is best to not travel back to the country of past persecution, if you feel you need to do that out of necessity or a family emergency, you should consult with an experienced Immigration Attorney before doing so. 

If you are a Permanent Resident and your Permanent Resident Status is based on you having been a Refugee/Asylee, then you are also eligible for a Refugee Travel Document.  This could also be a good option for you (if you don’t want to pay for the more expensive Reentry Permit). As with a Reentry Permit, you use Form I-131 to apply for this, you do your biometrics if required while in the United States, and you can then immediately go abroad; electing on the application (Form I-131) to pick up your Refugee Travel Document abroad.  It is cheaper than a Reentry Permit ($220 dollars with Biometrics for most adults vs. $575), but the downside is that it is only valid for a year. Thus, this could be a good option for you if you want the Refugee Travel Document as a substitute for a passport (that maybe you don’t have from your home country), and you don’t want to pay for the more expensive Reentry Permit. If this is the case, it will be important to verify that the country you plan on traveling to will accept a Refugee Travel Document (and many will), instead of a passport.

In Conclusion: We hope that this article has been helpful for you to understand the various USCIS travel documents and the options that are available to you. Although we have tried to distill this process down into easy-to-understand terms, if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact an experienced Immigration Attorney. As with any immigration matter, pursuing these travel documents is a complicated legal process. An attorney can help you get this process right, and give you added peace of mind as you proceed on your trip abroad.

Advance Parole (Travel Document)

Most aliens need Advance Parole to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad and have pending applications for immigration benefits or for changes in their nonimmigrant status.

Any adjustment of status applicant who leaves the U.S. without Advance Parole is automatically considered abandoning his/her application for an adjustment of status. Such a person will generally not be allowed back in the U.S. The person would have to do consular processing while remaining out of the U.S. This applies for people traveling to any place outside the U.S., even going to Canada (even Canadian Niagara Falls), Mexico, or places like the Bahamas.

You must apply for Advance Parole before leaving the U.S. If you depart from the U.S. or attempt to enter the U.S. before a decision is made on the application, your application will be considered abandoned.

Exceptions:

• H-1  (temporary worker) or  H-4  (spouse or child of a H-1) 
• L-1  (intra company transferee) or  L-2  (spouse or child of a L-1) 
• K-3  spouse or  K-4  child of a US citizen  
• V-2  spouse or  V-3  child of a lawful permanent resident 
• Refugees and Asylees: If you were admitted as a refugee or granted asylum and are applying for an adjustment of status one year after that, you can travel outside the U.S. on a valid refugee travel document and don’t have to apply for Advance Parole. 

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• Search forums
• Immigrant Visas (Green Cards)
• Political Asylum in USA

Refugee Travel Document vs Advance Parole?

• Thread starter MGTgrl
• Start date Mar 21, 2006

Registered Users (C)

• Mar 21, 2006

Hello gurus, I am thinking of traveling outside the US and I got confused regarding RTD and Advance Parole. I am an asylee with a pending I485 and I cannot use/renew my NP. What do I need? Do I need a RTD or an Advance Parole document? About 2 years ago, I had travelled to Europe and what I got was a RTD, but that was before I had applied for AOS. Now that my application is pending, which one do I need? I have never seen an Advance Parole doc before, and I was wondering if it is similar to RTD and/or if it can be used when one doesn't have or can't use NP? I tried to read about it on the USCIS website, but I got more confused. Please, gurus, clarify this for me. Thanks MGTgrl  

MGTgrl said: Hello gurus, I am thinking of traveling outside the US and I got confused regarding RTD and Advance Parole. I am an asylee with a pending I485 and I cannot use/renew my NP. What do I need? Do I need a RTD or an Advance Parole document? About 2 years ago, I had travelled to Europe and what I got was a RTD, but that was before I had applied for AOS. Now that my application is pending, which one do I need? I have never seen an Advance Parole doc before, and I was wondering if it is similar to RTD and/or if it can be used when one doesn't have or can't use NP? I tried to read about it on the USCIS website, but I got more confused. Please, gurus, clarify this for me. Thanks MGTgrl Click to expand...

You need an RTD, once you are approved then you can use a re-entry permit, which is valid for 2 years.  

Advance Parole if I understand it correctly is for people who have pending asylum appliction and have emergency situation in which they have to leave the country. In order for them to come back while their asylum application is pending they are issued advance parole. On the other hand, RTD is for people who are granted refugee or asylee status regardles of whether they have adjustment of status pending or approved (have greencard). In your case I think what you need is RTD. I don't that the CIS will issue you advance parole if you ask for one....Good luck...  

faysal said: Advance Parole if I understand it correctly is for people who have pending asylum appliction and have emergency situation in which they have to leave the country. In order for them to come back while their asylum application is pending they are issued advance parole. On the other hand, RTD is for people who are granted refugee or asylee status regardles of whether they have adjustment of status pending or approved (have greencard). In your case I think what you need is RTD. I don't that the CIS will issue you advance parole if you ask for one....Good luck... Click to expand...

MGTgrl said: Thanks Clotty and empanado. Clotty, are you saying that we need advance Parole only when travelling to COP (not when travelling somewhere else)? I guess what I understand from what you both are saying is that I only need an RTD, right? Click to expand...

clotty said: I did not mean that is the only case that advance parole is used, but what I meant to say is in your situation (an asylee waiting for her green card approval), unless you need to go to your COP for emergency reasons, you don't need advance parole; a RTD will suffice. That quote you gave applies to other AOS applicants, such as those who applied through marriage; of course they can not have RTD's like us so their only option is advance parole. If you check the part on the USCIS site about RTD's , it says you can get/use them as long as you are an asylee, regardless of whether you have an AOS pending or even if you already received your green card....Is your travel plans for a date soon? I feel you may get approval for green card within a month or so, in which case all you woudl need (in case you have a valid NP) is your NP and green card (or green card stamp on your NP). Click to expand...

Hi Clotty, You have valid points here. But I think the issue with renewing your NP is that, in most cases, people who asks asylum are those who are prosecuted by their government for one reason or another. So the assumption is if you are able to renew your NP, which is usually done at your COP's embassy (and since embassy=your COP's government) that means you don't fear your government. Therefore your fear/asylum case can be questioned, hence maybe even fraud. In my case, I can't renew my passport because I'm countryless and stateless I guess. I don't want to do anything with my country's government or its embassies (and they probably won't even renew it even if I wanted to)  

John Smith 1

• Mar 22, 2006

Mgtgrl i have question to ask you, you have been granted asylum on march 2000, why it took you 5 years to apply for green card?  

John Smith 1 said: i have question to ask you, you have been granted asylum on march 2000, why it took you 5 years to apply for green card? Click to expand...

wantmygcnow

Volunteer moderator.

As an asylee or refugee, you only need to worry about RTD. Advance Parole is usually used for H-1, J-1, or other kind of visa immigrants who have applied for their GC. If you were an asylum seeker and had to travel in an emergency, advance parole could be used. However I know that NONE of the embassies recognize Advance Parole. It is not a passport like RTD but rather a document that states that you have been given parole to come back to the United States. So AP is usually good for those people and if you used AP & used your NP, and your Asylum is pending. it would mean you have no fear to go back.  

clotty said: I see what you are saying; here (on this board)it has been discussed in a broader sense as if it applied to all kinds of asylees which is why I wrote what I wrote, since if one is allowed by INS to use their NP's along with their green card, then others with expired NP's should also have every reasonable right to be able to renew theirs to use their NP with their GC, just like others do. But with the specific example you gave (in regards to those who got asylum because of fear of persecution by their government) then it makes sense. I guess since I am not a political asylee, this do-not-renew-your-NP notion does not apply to me much..... And anyway, in your case from what you said in your post the situation is a lot more difficult and complex it seems, so in your situation yep, not renewing seems to be the best option. Good luck to you and I hope you get your approval soon. Click to expand...

wantmygcnow said: As an asylee or refugee, you only need to worry about RTD. Advance Parole is usually used for H-1, J-1, or other kind of visa immigrants who have applied for their GC. If you were an asylum seeker and had to travel in an emergency, advance parole could be used. However I know that NONE of the embassies recognize Advance Parole. It is not a passport like RTD but rather a document that states that you have been given parole to come back to the United States. So AP is usually good for those people and if you used AP & used your NP, and your Asylum is pending. it would mean you have no fear to go back. Click to expand...

• Mar 24, 2006

inline said: Advance parole is just a piece of paper with your photo on it which will allow you to return to the US if you have your I-485 pending. It's not a substitute for a passport or a RTD which you will need to present at the port of entry into the OTHER country you are visiting. So, if you can't use your valid NP or RTD, you need to re-apply for a new RTD. Click to expand...

Can I ask you guys advise on the same subject? I did not post a separate thread as it's related to this conversation and I hope MGTgrl does not mind …. I have recently received a welcome letter with the Green Card. I really fill confidence and I'm thinking about going to COP. Do I need RTD and Reentry permit or none ??? Because my renewed NP expires on Dec 2006. There was a major regime change, local people even call it revolution and I would like to take this moment to make a quick 2 weeks visit to see my mother, who has multiple health related problems. I see other interesting notes from member here on the same issue but still do not know what would be a proper thing to do, as if not now, this trip may be significant at the time of citizenship interview. Thanks in advance  

LenJ said: Can I ask you guys advise on the same subject? I did not post a separate thread as it's related to this conversation and I hope MGTgrl does not mind …. I have recently received a welcome letter with the Green Card. I really fill confidence and I'm thinking about going to COP. Do I need RTD and Reentry permit or none ??? Because my renewed NP expires on Dec 2006. There was a major regime change, local people even call it revolution and I would like to take this moment to make a quick 2 weeks visit to see my mother, who has multiple health related problems. I see other interesting notes from member here on the same issue but still do not know what would be a proper thing to do, as if not now, this trip may be significant at the time of citizenship interview. Thanks in advance Click to expand...

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8 CFR Part 223 - PART 223—REENTRY PERMITS, REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, AND ADVANCE PAROLE DOCUMENTS

• § 223.1 Purpose of documents.
• § 223.2 Application and processing.
• § 223.3 Validity and effect on admissibility.

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Home » Blog » Advance Parole Travel with Adjustment of Status

Advance Parole Travel with Adjustment of Status

January 23, 2024 Apply for Green Card Travel Documents

During the adjustment of status process, the applicant remains in the United States while waiting for their green card. But it can take several months to receive status as a permanent resident after filing Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status. Many applicants may want (or need) to travel abroad during this time for the purpose of visiting family, taking a vacation, or even tending to urgent matters. However, leaving without the proper documentation will likely put the beneficiary's adjustment of status application in jeopardy. Generally, an adjustment applicant that leaves the United States without an advance parole travel document will abandon the I-485 application and will have trouble re-entering.

Why is an advance parol travel document so important for I-485 applicants? How do I request advance parole with my adjustment of status case? How much does advance parole cost? What can I do if there is an urgent need to travel abroad? Does advance parole guarantee my re-entry to the U.S.? What else should I know about my advance parole travel document? Does every adjustment of status applicant need advance parole? How can I get help with this process

Why I-485 Applicants Must Obtain Advance Parole Travel Documentation

Non-citizens applying for a green card through adjustment of status generally must be approved for advance parole prior to leaving the United States in order to avoid the termination of their pending application for adjustment. Additionally, advance parole may be necessary to re-enter the U.S.

With a little planning, the adjustment of status applicant can obtain an advance parole document and easily avoid these problems. Advance parole for adjustment of status applicants resolves two issues:

• Allows the adjustment of status applicant to return to the U.S. after travel abroad without obtaining a visa; and
• Preserves a pending adjustment of status application (Form I-485) already filed with USCIS.

Typically, anyone with a pending I-485 that anticipates a need to leave the United States (even for a day) should obtain an advance parole travel document, but there are some exceptions to the requirement.

How to Apply for Advance Parole

Obtaining an advance parole travel document is fairly simple, particularly if you apply at the time of filing Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status.

Advance Parole Application Package

Adjustment of status applicants may use Form I-131, Application for Travel Document , to request Advance Parole. When preparing the advance parole application package, applicants should include all of the following items:

• Prepared and signed Form I-131, Application for Travel Document
• Copy of a government-issued identity document (with photo, name and date of birth) such as an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) or passport
• Two identical passport-style color photographs
• Copy of I-485 receipt notice (Form I-797C, Notice of Action) if I-485 was previously filed and is still pending

You can download the application and filing instructions from the USCIS website . Applicants that want some additional reassurance that their application is prepared correctly can use the CitizenPath. CitizenPath provides simple, step-by-step instructions and even guarantees that USCIS will approve the application. There is no sign up or fee to get started. You pay upon completion. Learn more about the Travel Document Package >

In most cases, there is no interview associated with the Form I-131 application.

When to Submit the I-131 Application

You may submit Form I-131 at any time that I-485 is pending. However, it's typically easiest (and fastest) to file Form I-131 concurrently with Form I-485

You may submit Form I-131 to request an advance parole travel document at the same time you submit your green card application. This is the quickest way to get your application in the queue for processing. If there's any chance you will travel while Form I-485 is pending, we recommend that you submit the application concurrently.

However, you may file Form I-131 at a later date if necessary. You will need the Form I-485 receipt number so that USCIS can link your case. We've found that I-131 applications submitted after the initial I-485 filing take longer to process.

Form I-485 Processing Time

Advance parole for adjustment of status applicants fees.

At the time of writing this article, there is no USCIS filing fee for Form I-131 when applying for an advance parole document based on adjustment of status. Normally, the Form I-131 fee for an advance parole travel document is $575. Specifically, there is no USCIS fee for advance parole if you filed a Form I-485 (adjustment of status application) on/after July 30, 2007, with a fee, and that I-485 application is still pending.

However, USCIS has announced a new fee structure that will change the filing fee for adjustment of status applicants. Once this new fee structure is implemented, I-485 will pay the full fee of $660 when filing Form I-131.

When filing Form I-131 for advance parole with a pending adjustment application, we recommend that you include a cover letter to explain why no fee is included. View a sample cover letter for Advance Parole >

New USCIS Fee Increase Published by Biden Administration

Urgent requests for an advance parole travel document.

USCIS processing times for Form I-131 are currently greater than six months for most cases. This could be a problem if you’re traveling for an extremely urgent situation. USCIS may expedite your case if you have a dire emergency and can evidence the urgent need to travel. USCIS is willing to consider an emergency request for advance parole on a case-by-case basis. You will need to provide evidence to support the emergency request (e.g. medical documentation, death certificate). If you are preparing your Advance Parole application through CitizenPath , we can also provide more detailed directions in your filing instructions.

What You Should Know About Advance Parole

An advance parole travel document is not a guarantee for re-entry to the United States. You are still subject to the standard immigration inspection at a port of entry to determine admissibility into the U.S.

If you have any period of unlawful presence in the U.S., consult with an attorney before filing Form I-131 or traveling abroad. Unlawful presence can include time after unlawfully entering the U.S. or time in the U.S. with an expired visa. If this may apply to you, speak to an experienced immigration attorney before attempting to request advance parole.

Generally, asylees and refugees should not travel to the country you claimed persecution. By returning to that country, your actions suggest that you do not fear persecution. Your application will be denied and could negatively affect your asylum/refugee status in the U.S. In some cases, there are legitimate reasons for returning to the country you claimed persecution. If this applies to you, please speak to an experienced immigration attorney before filing Form I-131.

Traveling with Advance Parole

Known formally as Form I-512L, Authorization for Parole of an Alien into the United States, the advance parole document, is often printed on a standard, letter-size piece of paper. It is generally valid for a period of one year. However, advance parole travel should be limited to a period of less than 90 days.

Applicants that applied for employment authorization concurrently may receive an Employment Authorization Card with “Serves as I-512 Advanced Parole" printed on the front.

Upon receiving the document from USCIS, review it to confirm all of the information is correct. An advance parole document will also include the last day that it may be used to re-enter the U.S. Be sure that your travel is complete and that you return before this date.

Take the original AP document with you when you leave the United States. You’ll need to present it before getting on a plane, ship, bus, or train headed back to the U.S. and to the Customs and Border Protection officer when you arrive.

When traveling with advance parole as an adjustment of status applicant, remember to:

• Take your original Advance Parole Document
• Take a photocopy of the I-797C Notice of Action confirming that your I-485 application was accepted
• Return before the deadline on your Advance Parole Document – leave extra time in case of travel delays

Exceptions to Advance Parole Requirements

In certain situations, adjustment of status applicants are not required to obtain an advance parole document. If you hold a valid H-1, H-4, K-3, K-4, L-1, L-2, V-2, or V-3 visa or status, you may travel without advance parole approval provided that you maintain your status. For example, you don’t need advance parole if you are traveling for the same employer that sponsored your H or L visa. The H or L status must be valid, and you must have evidence that you filed an adjustment of status application. Carry the Form I-797C Notice of Action that confirms you have filed Form I-485.

However, obtaining advance parole may be a useful strategy even if it isn't "required." For example, an H-1B worker may also have a pending adjustment of status case. If an H-1B renewal is denied while the beneficiary is outside the U.S., they will not be able to re-enter with H-1B status to resume the green card application process. By applying for and receiving an advance parole travel document before departing, that person has a backup strategy to re-enter the U.S. and finish adjustment of status (regardless of H-1B status).

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