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People call our office with the same panic: “My green card case is pending — can I travel? My dad’s sick overseas. I can’t just sit here.”
And every time, we talk about one thing — Form I-131, better known as Advance Parole.
If you file for a green card in the U.S. and then leave the country without this document, USCIS can treat your case as if you had abandoned it. That’s not drama; that’s how the rule works.
What Advance Parole Really Is
It’s not a visa. It’s not a guarantee.
It’s written permission from USCIS saying, “You can leave and we’ll let you come back to finish your case.”
Think of it like pressing “pause” on your application instead of “delete.”
You apply with Form I-131, usually while your I-485 is pending. If approved, you get a small card or paper that says Advance Parole. Some work permits double as travel documents — check the fine print; it’ll say “Serves as I-512 Advance Parole.”
Who Usually Needs It
Anyone adjusting status — people waiting for their first green card — plus some DACA or TPS holders who need to travel for school, work, or family emergencies.
If you’re already a permanent resident or here on a visa that allows re-entry (like H-1B or L-1), you’re fine. Everyone else should ask first.
Why It Matters
Leaving the U.S. without Advance Parole almost always ends the pending case.
Even if you meant to come right back, the system marks it “abandoned.”
We’ve seen this too many times: someone flies home for a funeral, comes back two weeks later, and finds their entire green card process has been closed. One small trip, months of loss.
How to File
You fill out Form I-131, attach:
- A copy of your I-485 receipt
- Passport or ID copy
- Two passport-style photos
- A short note explaining why you need to travel
If your I-485 filing fee already covered it, you might not owe anything more. Check the newest fee schedule just to be safe.
Then you wait—usually 3 to 6 months. Sometimes faster, sometimes slower. Don’t book tickets until you have it.
Timing and Travel
Once approved, it’s usually valid for one year.
You can leave and return as long as it’s still valid on the day you come back.
If you think you’ll travel again, renew early. USCIS doesn’t rush these.
What Happens at the Airport
When you land back in the U.S., show your Advance Parole to the CBP officer. They’ll inspect your passport and stamp it.
It’s permission to ask for entry—not an automatic yes—, but unless there’s a criminal or security issue, you’ll be let back in.
Keep the card in your hand luggage. Never pack it away.
Mistakes People Make
- Leaving before approval. The biggest one. Your case ends immediately.
- Mixing it up with a re-entry permit. Same form number, different purpose. Re-entry permits are for green-card holders, not adjustment applicants.
- Forgetting expiration dates. USCIS doesn’t remind you.
- Thinking “emergency” means “vacation.” It doesn’t.
If It Gets Denied
Sometimes USCIS denies Advance Parole because your main case was denied or withdrawn. Other times, they say your travel reason isn’t strong enough.
If that happens, you can file again — just be clearer about why you need to go. Attach proof if you can (letters, medical records, whatever explains it).
The Real Takeaway
Advance Parole is simple on paper but serious in practice.
It’s your insurance policy for leaving and coming back while your green-card case is alive.
Before you book a flight, talk to an immigration lawyer. It’s a five-minute call that could save you a year of waiting.
Sources:
- USCIS Form I-131 Instructions
- 8 C.F.R. § 223
- USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 9 Pt. B
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