December 13, 2000

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) urges all aliens with pending applications for adjustment of status or change of non-immigrant status to consult with an immigration attorney or an immigrant assistance organization accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals before making any foreign travel plans.

Generally, aliens who have applied to adjust status to that of permanent resident must obtain Advance Parole from the INS before traveling abroad (see questions and answers below). However, due to recent changes to U.S. immigration law, travel outside of the United States may have severe consequences for certain aliens who are in the process of adjusting their status. Such aliens may be found inadmissible, their applications may be denied, or both.

Under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, aliens who depart the United States after being unlawfully present in the United States for certain periods can be barred from admission, even if they have obtained Advance Parole. Those aliens who have been unlawfully present in the United States for more than 180 days but less than one year are inadmissible for three years; those who have been unlawfully present for a year or more are inadmissible for 10 years.

For more information, call the INS nationwide toll-free information service at 1-800-375-5283 Further information on Advance Parole can also be found on INS’ Web site at www.ins.usdoj.gov

A1. Advance Parole is permission for certain aliens, who do not have a valid immigrant visa, to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad. Such aliens must be approved for Advance Parole before leaving the United States. If they have not obtained Advance Parole prior to traveling abroad, they will not be permitted to re-enter the United States upon their return.

A2. Aliens in the United States who have an emergent personal or bona fide reason to travel temporarily abroad and who have:

• An application for adjustment of status pending;
• Been granted benefits under the Family Unity Program;
• Been granted Temporary Protected Status; or
• An asylum application pending.

Note: Aliens holding valid H-1 (temporary worker in a specialty occupation) or L-1 (intra-company transferee) visas and their dependants who have filed for adjustment of status do not have to file for Advance Parole as long as they maintain their non-immigrant status.

Note: An alien who has been admitted as a refugee or has been granted asylum does not need to obtain advance parole, but will require a Refugee Travel Document in order to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad. An application for a Refugee Travel Document must be filed on INS Form I-131, as described in A4 below.

A3. Aliens in the United States are not eligible for Advance Parole if they are:

• In the United States without a valid immigration status,
• The beneficiary of a private bill,
• Under removal proceedings, for
• Admitted as a non-immigrant.

A4. In general, an alien must file INS Form I-131, Application for a Travel Document, complete with supporting documentation, photos and the $95 fee. Since filing procedures vary among INS District Offices, applicants for Advance Parole should contact their local INS office for specific directions.

Information on how to locate and contact your local District Office as well as copies of Form I-131 can be found here or on the INS Web site or at www.ins.usdoj.gov. Forms also can be requested using INS’ toll-free forms request line 1-800-870-3676.

A5. No, Advance Parole or a Refugee Travel Document does not guarantee admission into the United States. Aliens who have obtained Advance Parole or a Refugee Travel Document are still subject to the INS inspection process at the port of entry.

A6. Yes, due to changes to U.S. immigration law, travel outside of the United States may have severe consequences for certain aliens who are in the process of adjusting their status or changing their non-immigrant status. Such aliens may be found inadmissible to the United States upon return and/or their applications for adjustment or change of status may be denied.

Under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, aliens who depart the United States after accruing certain periods of unlawful presence in the United States can be barred from admission, even if they have obtained Advance Parole. Those aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States for 180 days but less than one year become inadmissible for three years; those who are unlawfully present for more than one year become inadmissible for 10 years.

Aliens who have concerns about their admissibility should contact an immigration attorney or an immigrant assistance organization accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals before making foreign travel plans.

--INS--