Learn the benefits of advance parole for traveling abroad while your green card application is in progress. Navigate the complexities & travel with confidence!
Each year, over 8 million immigration benefit applications are processed by USCIS, including green card adjustments, and every one of those applicants faces the same warning: don’t leave the country without permission. That’s a tough ask when a family emergency, job requirement, or essential appointment comes up abroad. The reality is, leaving the U.S. while your green card application is pending can destroy everything you’ve worked toward.
Advance parole is the document that can protect you from that risk. With it, you can leave the country and come back without hurting your chances of permanent residency. If you’re waiting for a green card and need to travel outside the U.S., this article breaks down how to do it the right way.
What Is Advance Parole?
Advance parole is a USCIS travel document issued to certain non-citizens who need to leave the United States temporarily while an immigration application is being processed. It is not a visa, yet it permits lawful reentry to the U.S. without abandoning the pending application. Those applying for a green card through adjustment of status are the most common applicants for this type of document.
Advance parole helps protect applicants from serious consequences. If someone leaves the U.S. without it, their green card application might be denied.
This travel document allows individuals to maintain their application status during short international trips. The most common form used to request it is Form I-131.
There are several valid reasons people apply for advance parole:
- Attending a family emergency outside the U.S.
- Participating in work assignments abroad
- Accessing medical treatment unavailable in the U.S.
- Handling legal or cultural obligations overseas
Who Needs Advance Parole?
Not everyone is required to obtain advance parole, but those with pending green card applications or certain types of immigration relief usually do. Without it, reentry into the U.S. might be denied, and the application could be considered abandoned. That situation often leads to long-term delays or the need to restart the process completely.
This international travel permit is required in most of the following scenarios:
- Applicants waiting for green card approval through adjustment of status
- DACA recipients and TPS beneficiaries
- Non-immigrants without a multiple-entry visa who must travel temporarily
In other words, individuals without current immigration status that allows reentry should not travel without it. Some applicants are surprised to learn that even a short trip can lead to serious immigration issues. Working with an immigration law attorney is often the best way to determine if advance parole is needed before travel.
How To Apply for Advance Parole
Applying for advance parole involves a multi-step process. Although it may appear simple, the form and required documentation must be completed and submitted with care.
Any missing information or incorrect documentation could lead to delays or denials. Processing times vary, but applications typically take 3-6 months unless expedited.
Applicants should follow these steps:
- Complete Form I-131 accurately and legibly
- Gather supporting evidence such as an I-485 receipt notice, medical or legal documents, and a travel purpose letter
- Submit the required fee to USCIS with the application packet
- Attend a biometrics appointment if requested by USCIS
- Wait for USCIS to approve and issue the travel document
Supporting documents usually include copies of the pending green card receipt (Form I-797), proof of the emergency or event requiring travel, and a brief written explanation. The reason for travel should be consistent and well-documented.
In urgent cases, USCIS may allow requests for expedited processing. For example, serious illness of a close family member, urgent business matters, or time-sensitive medical treatment can sometimes qualify. However, expedited review is not guaranteed and must be supported with detailed evidence.
Having guidance from a green card attorney improves the accuracy and strength of the application. Attorneys can help avoid common mistakes such as:
- Submitting incorrect fees
- Missing documentation
- Insufficient justification for travel
Some law firms, like Vanderwall Immigration, offer fixed-fee pricing with flexible payment options, which helps reduce uncertainty while still receiving full legal support.
Advance Parole and Re-Entry Risks
Advance parole allows reentry, yet it does not guarantee it. Upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry, travelers using advance parole are still subject to inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Officers may deny reentry if there are outstanding issues, such as:
- Past immigration violations
- Security concerns
- Inconsistencies in application records
The document itself permits the individual to seek reentry, but CBP has final authority at the border. For this reason, anyone with a complicated immigration history should speak to a legal professional before leaving the country. This includes individuals with prior overstays, past removals, or criminal issues.
Those waiting for green card approval need to weigh the risk of reentry denial very seriously. Even a small misstep, such as leaving before approval or forgetting to bring documentation, could delay or derail the case.
What Happens If You Travel Without Advance Parole?
Traveling abroad while an immigration application is pending without securing advance parole can cause major setbacks. USCIS may treat the green card application as abandoned, and the individual could be denied reentry to the U.S.
The risks of unauthorized travel include:
- Application abandonment
- Inadmissibility at re-entry
- Case closure or delays
USCIS considers departure from the U.S. during an open adjustment case as a serious matter. In some cases, individuals are placed into removal proceedings after attempting to return without valid documentation. This is particularly true when applicants have prior immigration violations or unresolved status issues.
Even if travel is necessary for valid personal or professional reasons, the trip should not occur until the advance parole document has been received. If there’s any doubt about eligibility or timing, it is strongly recommended that applicants consult a qualified attorney.
Know Before You Go
Advance parole gives you the legal right to travel abroad without risking your green card application. It’s a crucial step if you’re dealing with international obligations while waiting for approval.
At Vanderwall Immigration, we guide clients through every step of the advance parole process accurately, efficiently, and with care. What sets us apart? Our fixed-fee pricing, flexible payment plans, and clear communication from day one. With offices in Beaverton and Salem, we’re easy to reach and ready to help.
Schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration attorney who actually puts your family’s goals first.
