If you’ve already filed your green card application, you might be wondering whether it’s safe to leave the country while you wait. It’s a common question, and a very important one. The short answer? It depends on your situation.
Why you can’t just travel as usual?
Once you’ve submitted your adjustment of status (Form I-485), leaving the U.S. without permission can cause serious problems.
If you leave before getting advance parole, immigration authorities could treat your case as abandoned, meaning your green card application would be denied automatically.
That’s why, even if you just want to take a short trip, it’s critical to get advance parole approved before you go anywhere.
What is advance parole?
Advance parole is basically permission to re-enter the U.S. while your application is pending. You request it by filing Form I-131.
Once approved, it works like a travel document, you show it when you return to the U.S. to prove that you’re allowed to come back legally.
Without it, your entire application could be canceled, and you’d have to start all over again from outside the country.
Processing times for advance parole can vary, but it usually takes around 3 to 6 months.
It’s a good idea not to make any travel plans until you have the document in hand, not just an approval notice, but the physical card or letter itself.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes, but only in very limited situations.
If you’re applying for a green card through consular processing (outside the U.S.), then travel isn’t an issue because you’re not filing for adjustment of status.
But if your case is inside the U.S., leaving without advance parole almost always causes problems.
What if there’s an emergency?
Sometimes, emergencies happen, a family illness, for example.
In those cases, you can request an expedited advance parole by visiting a USCIS field office with proof of the emergency, like a doctor’s note or hospital record.
It’s not guaranteed, but it’s worth trying if the situation is urgent.
Traveling while your green card application is pending can be risky, but with the right steps, it’s manageable.
Always check your specific case with an immigration attorney before you leave the country. It’s much better to wait a few more weeks than to lose months, or even years, of progress on your application.