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I-131, Advanced Parole Travel Document for Permanent Residency Adjustment Applicants
This document will allow you to travel multiple times for one full year from the
date of issue while your application for permanent residency is being processed.
You are required to file this application from inside the United
States.
 Who is eligible for Advanced Parole?
You are eligible to file this form at the time you are filing the I-485 application for
permanent residency or have a receipt showing you have filed the I-485.
What are the advantages of Advanced Parole?
If your visa has expired or you have changed status in the US from F-1 to H-1 and
you do not have an H visa in your passport, advanced parole will allow you to
travel outside the US and return WITHOUT having to go to an
American Embassy or Consulate to apply for an entry visa. Because you will be
presenting papers at the port of entry telling the US officials that you are therefore
returning to the US as someone who is now applying for permanent residency, you no
longer need a visa to enter. You should carry the following with you:
- You passport valid for at least 6 months
- Receipt notice for the I-485 form showing you have filed for PR
- A letter from you department verifying your employment
- Your valid advanced parole document
When you enter the US with Advanced parole you will be issued a new I-94 card.
It will be stamped in the upper right corner with the notations “Paroled into
the US to pursue permanent residency. This shows that you are no longer an F or
H visa holder but someone who is in the process of being granted permanent
residency.
How do I apply for Advanced Parole?
You will need to download the latest version of form
I-131 from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website
(USCIS). USCIS assigns numbers to all it forms. You can find these numbers at
the top and bottom of the form.
How do I fill out the form?
Just click here for step by step
instructions and a completed I-131 sample form . Keep in mind that this form is used for a number of different
applications! For the purpose of obtaining advanced parole, not all sections
will need to be completed.
What else do I need to send other than the application form?
You will need to organize you application packet as follows:
- Attach a check payable to Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $305.00
to the middle left side of page one of your application. This fee is only applicable for individuals who filed for permanent residency prior to July 30th, 2007. Individuals who filed for permanent residency after July 30th and paid the $1010.00, do not have to pay to have their advance parole extended. If UGA is sponsoring your application for permanent residency you may contact makelly@uga.edu, if you have any questions.
- Attach two photos (click here to see sample of required photos) in a small envelope to the lower left corner of page 1 of
the form. Make sure to write your name in pencil on the back and include your A# if you
have one.
- Behind the I-131 attach the following:
- copy of your I-485 receipt notice if you have one
- copy of the ID page from your passport that shows your photo
- copy of your I-94 card
- copy of any previous advanced parole forms issued to you by USCIS
How and where do I mail my application?
USCIS recently changed procedures on where applications should be submitted. If you are filing a form I-765 based on a pending I-485 you must file your form with the service center having jurisdiction over your place of residence. For individuals in Georgia the appropriate service center is the Texas Service Center.
USCIS Texas Service Center
P.O. Box 851182*
Mesquite, Texas 75185-1182 |
* PLEASE NOTE: The above PO Box is only for application for advanced parole. You must use the PO Box associated with the form you are submitting.
IMPORTANT: You MUST file this form within the US.
If you travel outside the US with advanced parole you MUST re-enter the United States PRIOR to the expiration date of
the advanced parole.
How long is this going to take once I mail in my application?
You should receive a receipt for the application fee within two weeks. If you
want to see how fast TSC/NSC is working you can go to the USCIS website to
check
service center processing times. Look for form I-131 and you can see the date of receipts
they are currently working on.
How can I check the status of my application?
On your receipt notice you will see your SRC ID number in the upper left hand
corner. You can
track you application by using this number on the USCIS
website under case status or by calling the number on your receipt.
TSC = Texas Service Center
LIN = Nebraska Service Center
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