No, you cannot apply for a standard Advance Parole or Reentry Permit (Form I-131) from outside the United States.
To apply for these travel documents, you must meet certain requirements, and there are some exceptions for applicants who need to apply for an Advance Parole I-131 travel document from outside the U.S.
In this blog, we will discuss who can apply for an Advance Parole travel document, the difference between Advance Parole, a Reentry Permit, and a Refugee Travel Document, and what you should check before leaving the U.S.
We will also explain what you need to know about your travel document before making international travel plans and answer other common questions about Form I-131.
Let’s dive deeper into the rules, requirements, and exceptions for applying for a Form I-131 travel document from outside the U.S.
Reminder: USCIS sets the rules for Form I-131 eligibility, Advance Parole, Re-entry Permits, Refugee Travel Documents, filing procedures, processing times, and travel requirements. These rules may change over time. Always check the latest information on the official USCIS website before filing Form I-131 or travelling outside the United States.
What Is Form I-131?
Form I-131 is an official U.S. government form. Its full name is Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues this form.
People use Form I-131 to apply for certain travel or parole documents. Depending on their situation, the form can help them travel outside the U.S., return to the U.S., or request temporary permission to enter the country.
Types of Documents Available
Form I-131 covers several types of travel and parole documents:
- Advance Parole Document: People with a pending green card application (Form I-485) may use Advance Parole to travel outside the U.S. without automatically abandoning their application.
- Reentry Permit: Green card holders can use a Reentry Permit when they plan to stay outside the U.S. for an extended period. It can help show that they intend to keep their permanent resident status.
- Refugee Travel Document: Refugees and asylees can use this document to travel outside the U.S. They may also use it to seek admission back to the United States.
- Initial Parole Document: Certain people outside the U.S. can request parole to enter the country temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
- Parole in Place: Certain people who are already in the U.S. without having been formally admitted or paroled may qualify for parole in place. USCIS grants it only in specific circumstances.
Can UAE Residents Apply for Advance Parole (Form I-131) from Outside the US?
Generally, no. UAE residents cannot normally apply for Advance Parole (Form I-131) after leaving the United States. Advance Parole is generally for eligible individuals who are physically present in the U.S. when they apply.
If you need Advance Parole for international travel, you should generally apply for the document before leaving the United States. Leaving the U.S. without the required travel document can affect certain immigration applications or benefits.
Your eligibility depends on your immigration status and individual circumstances. USCIS also has different rules for other travel documents available through Form I-131. For example, a Re-entry Permit and Refugee Travel Document have different eligibility and filing requirements.
If you are already outside the U.S., do not assume that you can simply file Form I-131 from the UAE and receive Advance Parole. Check the current USCIS instructions for your specific immigration category and travel situation before making travel plans.
Who Can Apply for an Advance Parole Travel Document?
Advance Parole is a travel document that USCIS may issue to certain people who are in the United States. It can allow an eligible person to seek parole when they return to the U.S.
However, having Advance Parole does not guarantee admission or parole into the United States. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will inspect the traveler at the port of entry.
Advance Parole may be available to eligible individuals in situations such as:
- Pending Adjustment of Status (Form I-485): People with a pending Form I-485 may apply for Advance Parole before traveling outside the U.S. USCIS generally expects them to obtain the document before they leave the country.
- Certain Pending Asylum Applications: Some asylum applicants may qualify for an Advance Parole Document while their case is pending. They should review the specific USCIS requirements before traveling.
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS): People with TPS may be able to request an Advance Parole Document for temporary travel outside the U.S. They should consider their TPS status and any pending USCIS applications before making travel plans. USCIS warns that travel can affect an individual’s immigration case in some circumstances.
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): Certain DACA recipients may request Advance Parole for educational, employment, or humanitarian purposes. USCIS does not consider vacation travel a valid purpose for DACA Advance Parole. Examples can include academic research, overseas work assignments, medical treatment, or attending a family member’s funeral.
- Other Eligible Categories: USCIS rules also allow Advance Parole in certain other situations. These can include some people granted parole under specific immigration provisions, certain beneficiaries of older immigration programs, and some people with V nonimmigrant status. The requirements vary by category.
Important: Eligibility does not mean USCIS will automatically approve the request. You must meet the requirements for your specific category and provide the required information and supporting documents. Also, leaving the U.S. can create immigration risks even when you have an Advance Parole Document. USCIS states that the document does not guarantee that CBP will parole you into the country when you return.
Advance Parole vs Re-entry Permit vs Refugee Travel Document
| Feature | Advance Parole | Re-entry Permit | Refugee Travel Document |
| Main Purpose | Allows an eligible person to travel abroad and seek parole into the U.S. when they return. | Helps a permanent resident or conditional permanent resident seek admission to the U.S. after temporary travel abroad without first obtaining a returning resident visa. | Allows eligible refugees and asylees to travel outside the U.S. and use the document when seeking return to the U.S. |
| Filed Using | Form I-131 | Form I-131 | Form I-131 |
| Who Typically Uses It? | Certain people with pending immigration applications or other eligible immigration categories. | Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and conditional permanent residents. | People with valid refugee or asylee status, and certain permanent residents who obtained that status because of refugee or asylee status. |
| Applicant Location | Generally, the applicant must apply while physically present in the U.S. for the standard Advance Parole process. | The applicant generally must be physically present in the U.S. when applying and complete the required biometrics process. | Eligible applicants generally apply while in the U.S. |
| Used for International Travel? | Yes. It can support temporary travel outside the U.S. before seeking parole upon return. | Yes. It is designed for permanent residents who plan to travel outside the U.S. temporarily. | Yes. Eligible refugees and asylees can use it for international travel. |
| Does It Guarantee Entry to the U.S.? | No. CBP makes the final decision on whether to admit or parole the traveler at the port of entry. | No. The permit does not guarantee admission. CBP makes the admission decision. | No. A DHS officer determines admissibility when the traveler seeks entry. |
| Relationship to Green Card Status | It does not give the holder permanent resident status. | It is specifically designed for permanent residents and conditional permanent residents who plan to travel abroad. | It does not itself grant permanent resident status. |
| Common Situation | A person with a pending Form I-485 may need Advance Parole before traveling abroad. | A green card holder expects to remain outside the U.S. for an extended period and wants a Re-entry Permit. | A refugee or asylee needs a travel document for international travel. |
| Can You Apply After Leaving the U.S.? | Standard Advance Parole generally requires filing while in the U.S. USCIS also has specific provisions for certain people outside the U.S., so applicants should check the category that applies to them. | Generally, you must be physically present in the U.S. when you file. | Filing and eligibility rules depend on the applicant’s status and circumstances. |
| Effect on Pending Immigration Cases | Leaving the U.S. without required Advance Parole can have serious consequences for some pending applications, including certain Form I-485 cases. | It is not a substitute for Advance Parole for someone with a pending adjustment application. | It serves a different purpose from Advance Parole and Re-entry Permits. |
| Does It Replace a Passport? | No. You still need a valid passport or other required travel document for international travel. | No. A Re-entry Permit does not replace your passport. | No. It does not replace a passport where a passport is required. |
| Key Limitation | USCIS may issue the document, but CBP still decides whether to parole you when you return. | It does not guarantee admission or prevent every possible immigration consequence of long-term travel. | Travel to the country from which you claimed persecution may create immigration concerns in some cases. |
| Important Point | Get the required document before traveling when your immigration category requires it. | Apply while you are in the U.S. and follow USCIS biometrics requirements. | Check the rules that apply to your refugee or asylee status before making travel plans. |
How to Apply for Form I-131
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility and Timing
- First, identify the travel document you need. It may be an Advance Parole Document, Re-entry Permit, or Refugee Travel Document.
- Check whether you must be physically present in the United States when you file.
- Apply early. Processing times can take several months.
- Check the current USCIS processing times before you plan your travel.
- If you plan to travel, make sure you understand the travel rules that apply to your immigration status.
Step 2: Complete Form I-131
- Download the latest Form I-131 and its instructions from the official USCIS website.
- Complete the form carefully. Type your answers or print them clearly in black ink.
- Answer all questions that apply to you.
- Use “N/A” or “None” where the form requires it.
- Review the form for mistakes before you submit it.
- Sign and date the form as required. An unsigned form may be rejected or returned.
Step 3: Gather Your Supporting Documents
- Include a copy of an acceptable photo ID.
- Provide documents that prove your immigration status or eligibility.
- Depending on your application, you may need to include a copy of your Green Card, proof of asylum or refugee status, or other supporting documents.
- Include passport-style photographs if USCIS requires them for your application category.
- Check the current Form I-131 instructions for the exact documents you need.
Step 4: Pay the Filing Fee
- Check the current USCIS fee for your specific Form I-131 category before filing. Fees can change.
- Use an accepted payment method, such as a check, money order, or credit card payment through Form G-1450, when applicable.
- Make sure you pay the correct fee. An incorrect payment can delay or affect your filing.
- If you qualify for a fee waiver, check whether USCIS allows a fee waiver for your specific application before filing.
Things to Check Before Leaving the US
| Checklist | Why It Matters |
| Confirm whether Advance Parole is required | Check whether you need Advance Parole or another travel document based on your immigration status. |
| Apply before travelling | Get the required travel document before leaving the U.S. if your category requires it. |
| Check passport validity | Make sure your passport is valid for your planned trip and return travel. |
| Carry copies of USCIS notices | Keep copies of important USCIS notices and immigration documents with you while travelling. |
| Review your immigration status | Check how international travel may affect your current immigration application or status. |
| Avoid booking non-refundable travel | Wait until you have the required travel document and understand your travel requirements before making non-refundable bookings. |
Understand Your Travel Document Before Making International Travel Plans
Before leaving the United States, make sure you have the right travel document for your situation. The requirements can differ depending on the visa or immigration status you hold, whether you need a nanny visa, or travelling onB1/B2 visa, or another type of U.S. visa.
If you have questions about U.S. visa requirements, go through our USA visa guide for more information. However, for an Advance Parole or Form I-131 case, it is important to check the latest guidance from USCIS before travelling or filing Form I-131.
We provide visa services for 100+ countries, including the U.S., UK, and Schengen countries. If you need assistance with your visa application, you can contact our visa consultants in the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for Form I-131 while I am in the UAE?
It depends on the type of travel document and your situation. Standard Advance Parole and Re-entry Permit applications generally require you to be physically present in the U.S. when you file, while some Form I-131 categories have different filing rules.
Can I obtain Advance Parole after leaving the United States?
Generally, you should apply for Advance Parole before leaving the U.S. Leaving first can create problems if you need Advance Parole for a pending immigration application.
What is the difference between Advance Parole and a Re-entry Permit?
Advance Parole is mainly for certain people with pending immigration cases who need to travel outside the U.S. A Re-entry Permit is mainly for lawful permanent residents who plan to stay outside the U.S. for an extended period.
Who is eligible for Advance Parole?
Certain people with pending adjustment of status, some asylum applicants, TPS beneficiaries, DACA recipients, and other eligible categories may qualify. Eligibility depends on your immigration status and circumstances.
Does Advance Parole guarantee re-entry into the US?
No. Advance Parole does not guarantee entry into the U.S.; CBP makes the final decision when you arrive at a U.S. port of entry.
What happens if I leave the US without Advance Parole?
For some applicants with a pending Form I-485, leaving without Advance Parole may cause USCIS to consider the application abandoned. The effect depends on your immigration category and circumstances.
Is Form I-131 only for Green Card applicants?
No. Form I-131 covers several travel and parole documents, including Advance Parole, Re-entry Permits, and Refugee Travel Documents.
How long does Form I-131 processing usually take?
Processing times vary by the type of document, filing category, and USCIS workload. Check the latest USCIS processing times before filing or making travel plans.
Can lawful permanent residents apply for a Re-entry Permit using Form I-131?
Yes. Lawful permanent residents and conditional permanent residents can generally use Form I-131 to apply for a Re-entry Permit.
Do I need biometrics for Form I-131?
It depends on the type of travel document and your case. USCIS will notify you if you need to provide biometrics.
Can I travel while my Form I-131 is pending?
It depends on the document you are applying for and your immigration status. If you need Advance Parole to protect a pending application, leaving the U.S. before receiving it may affect your case.
