In a significant change to longstanding policy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently began denying Advance Parole applications for abandonment when an applicant travels abroad while the application is pending. The Advance Parole is filed as part of the adjustment of status/permanent resident application and allows applicants to travel abroad and return to the U.S. without abandoning the adjustment of status application. It is typically issued jointly with the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in a combined card. EAD cards continue to be issued despite travel. Adjustment of status applicants with valid L or H status may continue to travel with valid L and H visas. Other applicants who plan to travel internationally must either extend L or H visas or remain in the U.S. until the Advance Parole is issued, which is currently approximately four months after filing.
