Q: What is Advance Parole?
A: Advance Parole is a document for certain aliens to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad without an immigrant visa or non-immigrant visa. Such aliens must be approved for Advance Parole before leaving the United States. As a general rule, if an alien has not obtained Advance Parole prior to traveling abroad, he/she will not be permitted to re-enter the United States upon their return unless he/she has a valid visa.

Q: Who needs an Advance Parole?
A:Aliens in the United States who wish to travel abroad but have:
An application for adjustment of status pending;
Been admitted as a refugee or have been granted asylum;
Been granted benefits under the Family Unity Program;
Been granted Temporary Protected Status; or
An asylum application pending.

Q: What are the benefits of Advance Parole?
A:There are two benefits of advance parole: First, it enables an alien to come back to the U.S. after traveling abroad without the necessity of obtaining a visa to enter the U.S.  Second, it preserves the adjustment of status application pending with the USCIS. [Please note that aliens holding valid H-1 (temporary worker in a specialty occupation) or L-1 (intra-company transferee) visas and their dependents who have filed an adjustment of status application do not have to file for Advance Parole, as long as they maintain their H-1 or L-1 status. However, in this situation, they still need a valid H-1 or L-1 visa to come back to the U.S.]