Ombudsman Update: Advance Parole Tips

Advance Parole is permission granted to qualified foreign nationals to allow them to re-enter the United States after temporarily traveling abroad.

Individuals who are not U.S. citizens, do not have valid immigrant visas, and have pending applications for certain immigration benefits are required to apply for a travel document and be approved for Advance Parole prior to leaving the United States in order to avoid termination of their pending applications. To determine if you should apply for Advance Parole, see Who May File Form I-131? section on Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) (PDF, 10 pages - 215 KB).

For exceptions to filing for Advance Parole, or for those individuals who are ineligible for Advance Parole, see Advance Parole filing instructions on Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) (PDF, 10 pages - 215 KB).

Non-Emergency Advance Parole

File Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) (PDF, 10 pages - 215 KB) complete with supporting documentation, photos, and applicable fees.

Expedited Processing for Advance Parole

If your need to travel is not immediate, but meets USCIS expedite criteria, you can ask U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to expedite your Advance Parole application with the relevant service center.

Emergency Advance Parole

USCIS field offices are authorized to accept requests for emergency Advance Parole for the most urgent circumstances. The agency reviews these requests on a case-by-case basis, and the USCIS field office director has discretion to grant or deny them. Requests should include an explanation and evidence of the emergency. An Immigration Services Officer has the discretion to request that a currently pending Advance Parole application be expedited rather than issuing an emergency Advance Parole document.

In most cases, InfoPass appointments are used to request emergency Advance Parole and Form I-131 can be processed the same day if the individual submits the completed form, appropriate fee, and supporting documentation. The Ombudsman understands that avoidable emergency requests, or those due to applicant delay may be denied. Emergency Advance Parole requests granted at the field office may be granted for a specific period of time, and will have no effect on Advance Parole requests already pending with a service center.

Advance Parole does not guarantee entry into the United States as foreign nationals are subject to inspection at ports of entry by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). For more information, visit the Advanced Parole section on CBP.gov.

Travel Warning Regarding Unlawful Presence

If you were unlawfully in the United States for certain periods of time and depart the country, you may not be able to return. Read more about unlawful presence.

How Can the Ombudsman Help?

If you have tried these regular USCIS avenues and have not received the information you seek, please submit DHS Form 7001 to the Ombudsman. We will look into your case and review how we may be of assistance.