Opening a Door Beyond Borders

For thousands of DACA recipients, international travel has always felt out of reach — a risk that could erase years of hard-won security. But through a little-known process called Advance Parole, eligible immigrants can travel abroad and return legally to the United States, often for the first time in their lives.

Advance Parole isn’t new — it’s a long-standing immigration mechanism — but it’s become especially significant for DACA recipients, TPS holders, and others without permanent legal status who need to travel for education, humanitarian reasons, or work.

This article breaks down what Advance Parole is, how it works, who qualifies, and why it’s increasingly becoming a life-changing option in 2025.

What Is Advance Parole?

Advance Parole is a travel document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that allows certain non-citizens to re-enter the U.S. after temporary travel abroad without losing their current immigration status or benefits.

In other words, Advance Parole is official permission to leave and come back.
Without it, a DACA recipient or undocumented immigrant who leaves the country is considered to have abandoned their status — and may be barred from re-entry.

The document comes in the form of a Form I-512L Authorization for Parole (sometimes combined with a new employment authorization card) and is typically valid for one year from the date of issuance.

Who Can Apply for Advance Parole?

Advance Parole is available to several categories of immigrants, including:

• DACA recipients
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders
• Adjustment of status applicants (those waiting for green cards)
• Asylum applicants (under certain conditions)

For DACA recipients, the travel must fall under one of these three purposes:

1. Educational: Study abroad programs, research, academic exchange
2. Employment: Overseas assignments, professional conferences, interviews
3. Humanitarian: Visiting a sick relative, attending a funeral, or medical treatment

How to Apply for Advance Parole

Applicants must file Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) with USCIS, along with:

• Proof of DACA or TPS status
• Evidence supporting the travel reason (school letter, doctor’s note, etc.)
• Two passport-style photos
• Government-issued ID
• Filing fee (as of 2025: $630)

Processing typically takes 3–5 months, though timelines can vary by service center. Emergency Advance Parole requests — for life-threatening or urgent humanitarian situations — can sometimes be approved within days at a USCIS field office.

Why Advance Parole Matters for DACA Recipients

Advance Parole provides more than just a travel opportunity — it can offer a pathway to adjustment of status in certain cases.

If a DACA recipient re-enters the U.S. legally using Advance Parole, that re-entry may satisfy the “lawful entry” requirement for adjusting to permanent residency (green card), particularly if they later marry a U.S. citizen.

Many immigration attorneys consider this a strategic legal step for DACA holders who are otherwise stuck in limbo. It’s a limited window of opportunity that can change someone’s life trajectory.

Risks and Limitations

Advance Parole is not a guarantee of re-entry — it’s permission to seek entry, subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Travelers with prior deportation orders, certain criminal records, or pending removal cases should consult an attorney before leaving.

Additionally, global events (like COVID-19 or political unrest) can disrupt international travel, delaying return or invalidating the permit.

Advance Parole in 2025: Renewed Interest and Policy Updates

Under the Biden administration, USCIS has streamlined certain Advance Parole requests for DACA recipients. Processing backlogs have improved, and approval rates remain above 90% for well-documented applications.

However, advocates warn that Advance Parole remains vulnerable to political shifts — a new administration could tighten eligibility or halt approvals altogether. For now, though, thousands of DACA recipients are seizing the chance to reconnect with families and cultures they’ve been separated from since childhood.

Conclusion: A Small Paper with Immense Power

Advance Parole is more than a travel permit — it’s a symbol of mobility and belonging.
For DACA recipients who have lived their entire lives within U.S. borders, stepping outside and returning home legally can feel like reclaiming both freedom and identity.

As immigration policies continue to evolve in 2025, Advance Parole stands as a rare doorway of hope — one that blends practicality with possibility.