Advance parole is a travel document granting permission to certain foreign nationals to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad. These foreign nationals typically have applications pending for immigration benefits or for changes in non-citizen status. Advance parole must be obtained prior to leaving the U.S. Failure to do so may result in the foreign national being denied entry to the US and forfeiture of any pending application.
As explained by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), non-citizens “who have pending applications for certain immigration benefits need advance parole to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad.”
Non-citizens applying for advance parole on the basis of a pending application for adjustment of status (AOS) must be approved for advance parole before leaving the United States in order to avoid the termination of their pending application for adjustment.
An I-131 application for advance parole must be filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Prior to departure, non-citizens in the United States should obtain advance parole in order to re-enter the United States after travel abroad if they have:
- Filed an application for adjustment of status but have not received a decision from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services;
- Hold refugee or asylum status and intend to depart temporarily to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa in Canada; and/or
- An emergent personal or bona fide reason to travel temporarily abroad.
[Last updated in March of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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