Advance Parole

If you are applying for adjustment of status (AOS) and need to leave the U.S. before the AOS application is approved, please remember to apply for and obtain an advance parole before you leave the country. The fee of applying an advance parole is included in your adjustment of status application, so you do not have to pay extra to apply for it. However, you need to file an I-131 along with your I-485 to take advantage of this fee arrangement.

If you are a legal permanent resident but need to leave the country for longer than 180 consecutive days, you may also need an advance parole to return to the U.S.

Before an advance parole application is granted, you need to complete a biometric, i.e., have your fingerprint taken by the Application Support Center. If you fail to attend your biometric appointment, your advance parole application may be denied based on abandonment.

Usually an advance parole application would be processed by USCIS within 90 days. If you have not received a decision within 90 days, you may contact the local office of USCIS to follow up on your application.

What if you have an emergency and cannot wait for 90 days? You need to bring documentations to your local USCIS office and show why your advance parole application should be expedited. If the local USCIS office determines that you have a legitimate need to get an advance parole right away, it will likely process and issue an advance parole to you within a few hours.

In short, please remember you have to apply for an advance parole while you are in the U.S and do not leave the country until you have obtained the advance parole.

Disclaimer: Information included in this post does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please contact my office for an appointment.