If you’re traveling outside the United States as a lawful or otherwise permanent resident in the
United States, you must carry different kinds of travel documents if you want to return to the United States.
In most cases, you must apply for these documents before departing the United States.
Here are some important travel documents that can help you gain entry into the United States:
Re-entry Permit
If you’re a conditional or permanent resident, you must apply for a re-entry permit if you’ll be outside the United States for a year or more. This document will allow you to return to the United States as long as it’s valid instead of applying for a returning resident visa from the U.S. consulate or Embassy.
Refugee Travel Document
The United States government offers refugee travel documents to individuals who are lawful permanent residents with green cards obtained through refugee or asylum status or citizens with refugee status. You must have the refugee travel document if you wish to return to the United States before you depart. If you don’t, you’ll most likely be presented before an immigration judge in removal proceedings and won’t be able to gain re-entry into the United States.
Advance Parole Travel Document
Even if you don’t have a visa, you can use this document to return to the U.S. An advance parole document can be accepted by an airline or transportation provider in place of a visa as viable identification that you are permitted to return to the U.S., but it does not take the place of a passport.
However, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll be allowed to enter the U.S. at the airport or border you’re trying to enter from. The Customs and Border Protection officer will decide your re-entry into the United States.
This document is issued when an individual has a pending:
- An application for asylum and withholding of removal (Form I-589): As an asylum applicant, if you want to travel outside of the United States and return, you must apply for advance parole; otherwise, it’s assumed that you’ve abandoned your asylum application.
- An application to adjust residential status or register as a permanent resident (Form I-485): If this form is pending, and you’ve departed the United States without the advance parole document, it’s assumed that you’ve abandoned your asylum status.
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