Ukrainian citizens who have been granted humanitarian parole under the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program need to understand the specific requirements for international travel. Departing the United States without proper authorization can jeopardize your parole status and future eligibility to return. This article explains the process of obtaining Advance Parole, which allows U4U beneficiaries to travel abroad and return to the U.S.
To travel outside the United States or a U.S. territory, Ukrainian humanitarian parolees must apply for an Advance Parole Travel Document. This document demonstrates to U.S. immigration authorities that you have permission to leave and re-enter the country.
The application process involves filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, along with the $575 filing fee, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Detailed instructions for completing Form I-131 can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-131instr.pdf. It’s crucial to follow these instructions carefully to avoid delays or rejection of your application.
Applicants facing extremely urgent situations can request an emergency advance parole appointment at their local USCIS field office. To do so, you should contact the USCIS Contact Center at https://www.uscis.gov/contactcenter to locate and schedule an appointment. When attending the appointment, be sure to bring the following:
- A completed and signed Form I-131, Application for Travel Document
- The correct I-131 filing fee
- Evidence to support the emergency request (e.g. medical documentation, death certificate)
- Two passport-style photos
USCIS offers a process to expedite Applications for Travel Documents under certain circumstances. You can find the instructions for expediting a request here: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/how-to-make-an-expedite-request. If your situation meets the expedite criteria, make sure to provide thorough documentation to support your request.
Departing the United States without obtaining an Advance Parole Travel Document will automatically terminate your humanitarian parole status. Consequently, if you file Form I-131 but leave the U.S. before receiving the document, your application will be considered abandoned, and you risk being denied re-entry.
For humanitarian parolees who have also applied for asylum, obtaining advance parole is particularly important. If an asylum applicant leaves the U.S. without first obtaining advance parole, USCIS will consider their asylum application to be abandoned, which can significantly impact their immigration case.
It’s important to remember that having an advance parole document does not guarantee that you will be allowed to re-enter the United States. Upon your return, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at a U.S. airport or border will make the final decision about whether to allow you to re-enter. They will assess your admissibility based on the circumstances at the time of your attempted re-entry.
For more comprehensive information on the Uniting for Ukraine program and humanitarian parole, please visit https://www.uscis.gov/ukraine. Understanding the requirements for Advance Parole is crucial for Ukrainian humanitarian parolees who wish to travel abroad and maintain their legal status in the United States. Ensure you complete the necessary steps to avoid complications with your immigration status.
