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Can You Travel Abroad While Your Green Card Application is in Progress?
If you’re applying for a green card and wondering about traveling internationally during the process, the answer is yes—but only if you have an approved advance parole, commonly referred to as a travel document.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about advance parole, including the application steps, validity, processing times, and answers to common questions.
What is Advance Parole?
Advance Parole, or a travel document, allows certain non-citizens to re-enter the U.S. without requiring an immigrant or non-immigrant visa.
For green card applicants with a pending I-485 (Adjustment of Status) application, obtaining Advance Parole is crucial before traveling internationally. Traveling without it could jeopardize your adjustment of status application.
If you’re in the U.S. under a visa like H-1B or L-1, you may already have travel permissions while your I-485 is pending. However, using Advance Parole is strongly recommended to prevent complications with your green card process.
How to Apply for Advance Parole
To request Advance Parole, you’ll need to file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, along with the required supporting documents. You can submit this form either alongside your I-485 application or afterward.
If your I-485 is already pending, include a copy of your I-485 receipt notice when filing Form I-131.
Both the primary green card applicant and any dependents can apply for a travel document to travel internationally without risking abandonment of their I-485 applications.
Filing Fees and Submission Details
As of April 1, 2024, the fee for Form I-131 is $630.
- When filing Form I-131 separately, you can submit it online or by mail. Check the USCIS website for the correct mailing address under the “Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-131” section.
- If submitting Form I-131 alongside your I-485 application, follow the filing address listed in the “Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-485” section on the USCIS website. Using the wrong address can cause processing delays.
Processing Times and Validity
- Processing Time: Advance Parole processing typically takes several months, varying by the USCIS service center.
- Validity: Approved travel documents are valid for up to one year and allow multiple trips abroad during that time. If your document is nearing expiration, apply for a renewal at least 120 days before it expires.
Does Using Advance Parole Affect H-1B Status?
No, obtaining Advance Parole does not end your H-1B status. However, re-entering the U.S. using Advance Parole changes your status to “parolee,” making your H-1B inactive.
To reactivate H-1B status after using Advance Parole, you can either:
- File for an H-1B extension, or
- Request a change of status to H-1B.
Expedited Advance Parole for Emergencies
In urgent situations, you may request expedited processing for Advance Parole. To do this, schedule an appointment with your local USCIS field office.
Bring the following to your appointment:
- A completed Form I-131
- Filing fee payment
- Two passport-sized photos
- Documents proving your emergency travel need
Final Thoughts
Advance Parole allows you to travel internationally without risking the status of your green card application. However, it’s important to remember that Advance Parole doesn’t guarantee reentry to the U.S.—you must still meet all admissibility requirements and carry proper documentation.
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