Travel Documents
Planning to Travel? Know Before You Go.
International travel can affect your immigration status, depending on your circumstances. Before leaving the United States, it is important to understand whether you need a travel document and how travel may impact a pending immigration benefit or application.
Attorney Stephanie Dyson helps clients determine whether travel is appropriate, identify the correct travel document, and prepare the necessary applications before departure.
Understanding Travel Documents
Several different travel documents are available depending on a person's immigration status and the purpose of travel. Applying for the appropriate document before leaving the United States is often an important part of protecting your immigration benefits.
The type of travel document you need depends on your individual circumstances.
Re-entry Permits
Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who plan to remain outside of the United States for more than one year should apply for a re-entry permit before departing the country.
Although a re-entry permit does not guarantee admission upon returning to the United States, it generally helps preserve lawful permanent resident status and assists with re-entry.
Applications must be submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before leaving the United States. Once approved, a re-entry permit is generally valid for two years.
Advance Parole
Advance Parole allows certain individuals to return to the United States after traveling abroad.
Individuals who require Advance Parole must apply for and receive approval before leaving the United States. Certain applicants, including some individuals with pending adjustment of status applications or Temporary Protected Status, may need Advance Parole before traveling internationally.
Traveling without the required Advance Parole document may result in the loss of a pending immigration benefit or application.
Refugee Travel Documents
Refugee travel documents are available to refugees and individuals who have been granted asylum and wish to return to the United States after traveling abroad.
Applications for refugee travel documents must be submitted before departing the United States.
Humanitarian Parole
Humanitarian Parole may be available to individuals seeking emergency entry into the United States for humanitarian reasons or reasons of significant public benefit.
How Dyson Law Can Help You
Determining whether you should travel and what documentation you may need.
Every case is different, and understanding your immigration status before traveling can help prevent unnecessary complications.
Attorney Dyson helps clients:
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Determine whether a travel document may be required.
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Prepare applications for Advance Parole.
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Review travel plans before departure.
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Evaluate how travel may affect a pending immigration benefit or application.
Before traveling internationally, make sure you understand how your plans may affect your immigration status. Attorney Stephanie Dyson can review your circumstances, determine whether a travel document may be required, and help you prepare the appropriate application before you travel.
Is Travel Document Assistance Right for You?
You may wish to schedule a consultation if:
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Plan to travel outside the United States and are not yet a U.S. citizen.
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Have a pending immigration application.
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Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
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Have been granted asylum or refugee status.
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Are a lawful permanent resident planning to remain outside the United States for an extended period.
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Are unsure whether you need a travel document before leaving the country.
Apply before you travel.
Some travel documents, including Advance Parole, must be approved before departing the United States.
Your immigration status matters.
The travel document you may need depends on your current immigration status and the reason for your travel.
Traveling without authorization can have consequences.
For individuals who require Advance Parole, traveling without proper authorization may result in the loss of a pending immigration benefit or application.
