If you’re an immigrant living in the U.S., international travel may feel risky—especially when waiting for an immigration application to be processed. You might wonder: Can I leave the country and still come back without losing my status or pending application? Advance Parole helps make travel possible by allowing eligible immigrants to travel abroad and return to the U.S. without abandoning their immigration process. However, even with Advance Parole, re-entry is never guaranteed, and we recommend consulting with your attorney if you plan to travel internationally.
Here’s what you need to know about Advance Parole.
Advance Parole Explained
Advance Parole is a special travel authorization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It gives certain non-citizens permission to leave and re-enter the U.S. while their immigration application is still pending.
Without it, leaving the U.S. may cause your application, such as for a green card, to be automatically considered abandoned, which could seriously delay or end your path forward. Even with Advance Parole, re-entry to the U.S. isn’t guaranteed, so it’s important to speak with your attorney before making any travel plans.
Who Can Apply for Advance Parole?
You may be eligible for Advance Parole if you are:
- Applying for a green card (adjustment of status)
- A DACA recipient (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
- Under Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Applying for immigration benefits for humanitarian reasons, like asylum or parole-in-place
- Experiencing compelling personal or family reasons for travel, such as a medical emergency or the death of a loved one
What Does Advance Parole Look Like?
Advance Parole can be issued as:
- A paper travel document (Form I-512L),
- Or a combo card—a plastic card that looks like an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and includes travel authorization.
Why it Matters
While re-entry can never be guaranteed, Advance Parole gives you some peace of mind if you need to travel for work, family emergencies, or other urgent reasons. It allows you to:
- Travel internationally and return legally to the U.S.
- Maintain your pending immigration status
- Avoid having your applications denied or abandoned
Things to Consider
Even if you have Advance Parole, you should always speak with an immigration attorney before traveling, especially if:
- You have a prior deportation order
- You’ve overstayed your visa
- You’ve had criminal charges or convictions
- You have other previous immigration issues
Having Advance Parole doesn’t guarantee re-entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) still has the authority to deny entry at the border.
Advance Parole is more than a travel document—it’s a lifeline if you need to leave the country temporarily without sacrificing your future in the U.S. If you think you may be eligible or need to travel while your immigration case is pending, talk to an experienced immigration attorney to ensure your plans are safe and your rights are protected.
We know that each immigration case is unique. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. We’re here to support your immigration needs.