The “Advance Parole” I-131 Application for Travel Document
HOW TO APPLY FOR A TRAVEL PERMIT WHILE WAITING FOR YOUR GREEN CARD
What is a travel permit?
A travel permit is a crucial document that allows individuals living in the U.S. while waiting for their green card to travel abroad without jeopardizing their green card application. If you leave the country without this permit, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may consider your green card application abandoned and deny it.
What is USCIS Form I-131?
Form I-131, officially known as the “Application for Travel Document,” is used to apply for various types of travel documents, including re-entry permits, refugee travel documents, TPS travel authorization documents, and the advance parole travel document. This guide focuses on the advance parole document, which is commonly used by those with a pending green card, adjustment of status, or asylum application.
What is Advance Parole?
Advance Parole is a travel document that allows you to return to the U.S. without needing to apply for a new visa or jeopardizing your pending application. It is particularly important for those with pending green card, adjustment of status applications or asylum. Without Advance Parole, leaving the U.S. can result in the automatic denial of your application.
Why You Need a Travel Document
A travel document provides “advance parole,” essentially giving you permission to re-enter the U.S. without risking your pending green card application. Without it, you could face significant delays or even denial of your application, which could lead to the need to redo all paperwork and pay fees again. In some cases, you might even be barred from re-entering the U.S.
When and How to Apply For a Travel Document
The easiest way to apply for a travel document is to include Form I-131 as part of your initial green card application package (alongside Forms I-130 and I-485). You’ll need to attach a copy of your photo ID (such as your passport photo page) and two passport-sized photos. If you apply for Form I-131 at the same time as your green card application, there is no additional fee.
If you’ve already submitted your green card application, you can still apply for a travel document by submitting Form I-131 along with a copy of your photo ID, two passport-sized photos, and the receipt notice showing USCIS has received your green card application. In this case, you’ll need to pay a $630 fee.
Travel Restrictions and Renewing Your Travel Document
It’s essential not to leave the U.S. until you have received your travel document. The travel document is typically valid for one year and is usually processed within 150 days, though delays can occur. If you need to travel after your document expires, you must renew it by filing a new Form I-131 up to 120 days before your current document expires. The renewal process takes a similar amount of time as the initial application.
Emergencies
In emergency situations, such as the sudden illness or death of a family member abroad, you may be able to get an expedited travel document. To do this, you’ll need to make an appointment at your local USCIS office and bring your completed Form I-131, two passport photos, and evidence of your emergency (e.g., a death certificate or medical records). There is no additional fee for an emergency travel document.
Planning Your Trip
After submitting your application, expect to stay in the U.S. for 3–5 months while waiting for your travel document. Although the travel document theoretically allows you to stay abroad for extended periods, this isn’t practical if you’re awaiting fingerprinting or green card interview appointments. Missing these appointments could delay your application, so plan to be notified of any USCIS notices while you’re abroad.
Returning to the United States With a Travel Document
Upon returning to the U.S. with a travel document, you will be considered an “arriving alien.” It’s common to be pulled aside for secondary inspection, where the border agent will verify your pending green card application. While the travel document allows you to return, it does not guarantee re-entry. If you’ve been in the U.S. without legal status, leaving could trigger a re-entry bar, so it’s best to avoid travel until your green card is approved.
Final Thoughts
There’s no downside to applying for a travel document when you submit your green card application, even if you don’t have immediate travel plans. It provides peace of mind in case you need to travel unexpectedly during the processing period.
More Advance Parole FAQs
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”).