Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, is the form you complete to request travel authorization, and it is called the Advance Parole. Advance parole allows you to travel outside of the U.S. while your Adjustment of Status (AOS) case is pending, even if you do not have a non-immigrant (temporary) visa or it has already expired. You will need an Advance Parole document to re-enter the U.S. and to avoid having your AOS application considered abandoned. An Advance Parole document is good for one year. You can renew it if necessary, as USCIS often takes over a year to process an AOS application.
Almost everyone who files for Adjustment of Status should apply for Advance Parole even if they do not plan on traveling or already have a temporary visa that allows travel. Plans can change, and it typically takes several months for USCIS to process an Advance Parole application, so it is not something you can decide to do at the last minute. It is also likely that your non-immigrant visa will expire before your AOS application is processed. However, an Advance Parole document does not guarantee entry into the U.S., so many attorneys advise against foreign travel to anybody who has complicating factors, such as immigration status violations, that could potentially make them inadmissible.
Other circumstances might require someone to file form I-131, including refugees, asylees, permanent residents, DACA recipients, those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and those seeking humanitarian parole.
Cost and Fees
The filing fee for Form I-131 (Application for Advance Parole) varies depending on your situation. For most applicants, the standard fee is $575. However, there are some exceptions:
Always check the latest fee schedule on the USCIS website, as fees are subject to change.
Mail everything to the correct USCIS address, and check the USCIS website for current instructions before sending.
How much is a green card? The total cost of a family-based green card is $1760 for an applicant within the U.S. and $1200 for an applicant outside the U.S.
This total cost comes from a few different sources. The family sponsorship for (I-130) costs $535 and is necessary for both instances. Meanwhile, applicants within the U.S. need to pay $1140 for the green card application form (I-485) and $85 for biometrics. Applicants outside the U.S. must pay $120 for the financial support form (I-864), $325 for state department processing, and $220 for the USCIS immigrant fee.
In addition, both types of applications will need to pay a physician for a medical examination. This cost will vary depending on the location and the specific medical facility. It tends to average around $200. However, this number could be slightly lower or much higher.
When it comes to the marriage green card cost or the cost of an immediate relative living in the U.S., these fees are all paid simultaneously. The cost of marriage green card applications and other family-based green cards is more streamlined. However, those in different situations will pay them as part of a more extensive green card process. Thus, the fees are paid in chunks as the steps in the process play out.
Related: Re-Entry Permits: What You Need to Know
In addition to the mandatory fees for a green card, other potential costs may apply in specific situations:
Considering these additional costs, you can better prepare for the full expense of applying for a green card.
To fill out Form I-131 for Advance Parole, start by selecting Advance Parole as your reason for applying. Provide your personal details, such as name, birth date, address, and A-number if you have one.
Include your travel details (dates, destinations, and reason for travel) and explain why you need to travel. Sign and date the form; if someone else helped you fill it out, they must also sign.
Attach supporting documents like your photo ID, I-485 receipt, two passport-style photos, and any proof of urgent travel if necessary. Pay the $575 fee unless you're exempt.
There is little downside to applying for Advance Parole. Form I-131 is one of the simpler USCIS forms, and there is no cost to file it if you do so with your AOS application or if it is currently pending. It allows you to visit your family overseas and travel for work without fear of being denied re-entry to the U.S. or having your AOS application rejected by USCIS. While you are not required to travel, you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you can.
Advanced parole comes with relatively few restrictions. Even if you have a current non-immigrant visa, do not travel outside the U.S. while your Advance Parole application is pending, as USCIS will consider your I-131 to be abandoned and will deny it. Practically speaking, this makes it very difficult for people who frequently travel for work outside of the U.S., as they might need to travel before their application can be processed. If you fall into such a category, your best bet is to maintain a non-immigrant visa.
You must return to the U.S. before your Advance Parole document expires. It is designed for short-term travel, and you will need to anticipate being in the U.S. for immigration-related matters such as your biometrics appointment and Green Card interviews. You can renew your Advance Parole but apply as early as possible to avoid a gap period where your old document has expired, and your new one has not been approved yet.
While most people with an Advance Parole document re-enter the U.S. without incident, you should know that it does not guarantee entry into the country. You should reconsider travel if you believe you might be turned away at the border. Some people report that they are questioned more at ports of entry when entering under Advance Parole than with a visa. Though annoying, this is typical and is not cause for alarm. Ensure you bring your original Advance Parole document, not a copy. It is your “ticket” into the U.S., and you will not be admitted without it.
Most people submit form I-131 with their Adjustment of Status application, submitting it to the same address. If you are filing your application later or are renewing your Advance Parole, where you send it will be based on the first three letters of your I-485 receipt number: the Illinois Service Center if your form I-485 receipt number begins with the letters MSC or does not have letters at the beginning, the Texas Service Center if your receipt notice begins with letters EAC or SRC or the Arizona Service Center if your receipt notice begins with LIN or WAC. You can find those addresses here. You will need to include supporting documentation with your application, such as:
1. A copy of your I-485 receipt notice if you have already submitted it
2. A copy of your I-94, Arrival-Departure Record
3. A copy of your passport
4. Two passport-style photos
5. Documentation verifying your reason for travel – you can submit this if you have it. Still, USCIS will not require this if you submit or have a pending AOS application.
If you have an emergency situation that requires you to travel immediately, you can make an appointment at your local USCIS office to request an expedited document. You must bring proof of your emergency.
We recommend using your Advance Parole for emergency travel only. It isn't recommended to travel outside the U.S. while you have a pending Green Card application because an Advance Parole document is not a guarantee that you will be allowed to enter the U.S. The CBP officer at the border still has the authority to decide if you are admissible to the U.S. Moreover, you can only re-enter if your green card is allowed while abroad.
What happens if you have a pending Adjustment of Status application and must travel outside the U.S.? You must receive an Advance Parole document before leaving the country. Otherwise, your Adjustment of Status Application will be considered abandoned and denied.
So, if you're wondering how to go about the advance parole process and how much it will add to your green card fees, we have you covered! Learn more about the I-131 document, why you should submit it, and your other green card documents!
The advance parole application comes with a fee. However, you can only pay this fee if you submit it in a specific way.
The easiest way is to submit your advance parole application and initial green card application. Doing so will prevent you from paying a fee outside the costs you already pay for your green card. You will still need to pay for anything related to your application, like the photos you need to attach to it, but you will not have to pay a fee on top of this.
The other advantage of submitting the application this way is getting your travel document earlier. This means that if a situation arises that requires you to travel, you already have what you need to start the process. Just keep an eye on the document's expiration date and renew it if the date passes.
Applying for an Advance Parole document has no downside, and it is good to have even in case you need to travel urgently abroad. Just apply for it when you submit your green card application. Doing so will save you money and ensure you are ready to travel from the start!
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