SoCal Immigration Services | Immigration Document Preparation in Southern California

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Traveling internationally while your green card application is pending is one of the most stressful decisions an immigrant faces. For residents of Anaheim and the surrounding Little Arabia community, understanding advance parole and the combo card is essential to avoiding the devastating mistake of abandoning your adjustment of status case. Each year, applicants unknowingly jeopardize months or years of immigration processing by leaving the United States without proper travel authorization. SoCal Immigration Services guides families throughout Anaheim and Orange County through the advance parole process, ensuring they can visit loved ones abroad without sacrificing their path to permanent residence. Call (714) 421-8872 for a consultation in English or Arabic.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

What Is Advance Parole and When Do You Need It?

Advance parole is a travel document issued by USCIS that allows individuals with a pending adjustment of status application (Form I-485) to travel outside the United States and return without abandoning their green card case. When you file Form I-485 to adjust your status to lawful permanent resident, you enter a critical period during which leaving the country without advance parole is generally considered an abandonment of your application. USCIS treats your departure as a withdrawal, and your case is denied without further review. Advance parole is filed using Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) and can be submitted concurrently with your I-485 or at any time while the adjustment application remains pending. The document is typically issued as a standalone advance parole document or, more commonly today, as part of a combo card that combines both employment authorization (EAD) and advance parole privileges on a single card. Advance parole does not guarantee admission to the United States upon your return — a Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry still has discretion to inspect you and determine your admissibility. However, for most applicants with pending I-485 cases and no complicating factors, returning with valid advance parole is a routine process.

The Combo Card Explained: EAD and Advance Parole in One Document

The combo card, officially known as the EAD/AP card, is a single document that serves dual purposes: it functions as both an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and an advance parole travel document. USCIS issues the combo card to adjustment of status applicants who file both Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) alongside their I-485 petition. The physical card looks similar to a standard EAD but includes a notation indicating that it also serves as an advance parole document, typically marked with a category code such as C09P. The combo card simplifies the immigration process by eliminating the need to carry separate documents for work authorization and travel authorization. With a single combo card, an Anaheim resident with a pending green card case can both work legally in the United States and travel internationally without jeopardizing their adjustment application. Combo cards are generally valid for up to two years, though USCIS has the authority to set different validity periods. When your combo card approaches expiration, you must file renewal applications (I-765 and I-131) to maintain continuous work and travel authorization. Gaps in authorization can create significant problems, so filing renewals well in advance of expiration — at least 120 to 180 days — is strongly recommended.

Who Needs Advance Parole During Adjustment of Status?

Not every adjustment of status applicant needs advance parole to travel. The requirement depends on your current immigration status and the basis of your pending I-485. If you are adjusting status based on an employment-based petition and you hold a valid H-1B or L-1 visa, you are generally permitted to travel on your valid visa stamp and return without advance parole — your pending I-485 is preserved. This is because H-1B and L-1 holders have a specific regulatory exception under INA Section 245(k). However, if you are in most other nonimmigrant statuses — including F-1, J-1, B-1/B-2, TPS, or are a derivative applicant — leaving the United States without advance parole while your I-485 is pending will result in the abandonment of your case. For family-based adjustment of status applicants, advance parole is virtually always required for international travel, regardless of your current visa status. Asylum applicants with pending adjustment cases and individuals in removal proceedings who are pursuing adjustment of status face additional complications and should consult with an immigration attorney before any international travel. The consequences of traveling without proper authorization are severe: your entire adjustment of status case can be denied, potentially forcing you to restart the entire process or leave the country.

•Family-based I-485 applicants must have advance parole to travel
•F-1, J-1, B-1/B-2 visa holders with pending I-485 need advance parole
•H-1B and L-1 visa holders may travel on valid visa without advance parole
•TPS holders with pending adjustment should obtain advance parole
•Derivative applicants (spouses and children) each need their own advance parole
•Applicants in removal proceedings face additional restrictions
•DACA recipients with pending I-485 need advance parole for travel

How to Apply for Advance Parole in Anaheim

Applying for advance parole involves filing Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) with USCIS. The most efficient approach is to file Form I-131 concurrently with your Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) and Form I-765 (Employment Authorization), as concurrent filing allows all three applications to be processed together and results in the issuance of a combo card. If you have already filed your I-485 and did not include the I-131 at that time, you can file the I-131 separately at any point while your adjustment case remains pending. The filing fee for Form I-131 is waived when filed concurrently with a pending I-485, as the I-485 filing fee covers the associated I-131 and I-765 applications. When filing the I-131, you must indicate the purpose of travel (such as family visit, business, or humanitarian reasons), though advance parole is a discretionary benefit and the stated reason does not need to meet a specific legal threshold. Required supporting documents include a copy of your I-485 receipt notice, two passport-style photographs, a copy of your government-issued photo identification, and any evidence supporting the purpose of your travel. After filing, USCIS will schedule a biometrics appointment at a local Application Support Center — for Anaheim residents, this is typically at the Santa Ana ASC. Once biometrics are completed, USCIS processes the application and mails the combo card or standalone advance parole document to your address on file.

Processing Times and What to Expect

Processing times for advance parole and combo cards have fluctuated significantly in recent years. As of early 2026, USCIS processing times for Form I-131 filed with a pending I-485 range from 3 to 10 months depending on the service center handling your case and current workload. The California Service Center and National Benefits Center handle most adjustment-related I-131 applications for California residents. During periods of high volume, processing times have extended beyond 12 months, creating significant hardship for applicants who need to travel urgently. USCIS has made efforts to reduce processing times, including automatic extensions of combo cards for up to 24 months when a renewal is timely filed. This means that if your current combo card is approaching expiration and you file a renewal I-131 and I-765, your existing card's validity is automatically extended for up to 24 months from the expiration date, provided you carry proof of the timely-filed renewal application. This automatic extension policy has been a major relief for applicants in Anaheim and throughout Orange County who previously faced gaps in work authorization and travel eligibility while waiting for renewals. You can check your processing time estimates on the USCIS website using the Check Case Processing Times tool, selecting Form I-131 and the appropriate filing category and service center. SoCal Immigration Services monitors processing times closely and advises clients on optimal filing strategies to minimize wait times.

Emergency Advance Parole for Urgent Travel

When an unexpected emergency requires immediate international travel, waiting months for a standard advance parole document is not feasible. USCIS provides an emergency advance parole process for applicants who face urgent circumstances. Emergency advance parole is granted at the discretion of USCIS and is reserved for genuine emergencies, not routine travel requests. Qualifying circumstances generally include the serious illness or death of a close family member abroad, urgent business travel that cannot be postponed, and other humanitarian emergencies that require the applicant's physical presence outside the United States. To request emergency advance parole, you must contact the USCIS Contact Center or submit an expedite request through your USCIS online account explaining the emergency and providing supporting documentation such as medical records, death certificates, or employer letters demonstrating the urgent need. If USCIS approves the emergency request, you may be directed to appear at your local USCIS field office — for Anaheim residents, this is the Santa Ana Field Office — where an officer can issue an emergency advance parole document, sometimes on the same day. The emergency advance parole document is typically valid for a limited period (often 30 to 90 days) and authorizes a single trip abroad and return. It is not a substitute for obtaining a standard advance parole or combo card. After returning from emergency travel, you should file or continue processing your regular I-131 application to maintain ongoing travel authorization. Documentation is critical for emergency AP requests. Gather all evidence of the emergency before contacting USCIS, as incomplete requests are frequently denied.

Travel Risks and Precautions with Advance Parole

Even with a valid advance parole document, international travel during a pending adjustment of status carries risks that every applicant should understand before departing. First, advance parole authorizes your return to the United States, but it does not guarantee admission. A CBP officer at the port of entry inspects your documents and determines whether you are admissible. If you have any grounds of inadmissibility — such as prior immigration violations, criminal history, or fraud — the officer may deny your entry despite having advance parole. Second, if you were previously in the U.S. unlawfully for more than 180 days and departed, the 3-year or 10-year inadmissibility bars under INA Section 212(a)(9)(B) may apply to you. Advance parole departure does not trigger these bars (since it is authorized departure), but if your status history is complicated, seek legal advice before traveling. Third, nationals of countries subject to travel bans or enhanced vetting may face additional scrutiny upon return. Fourth, if your I-485 is denied while you are outside the United States, your advance parole becomes invalid and you may not be able to return. Always check the status of your case before traveling. Fifth, some applicants have valid advance parole but travel to countries where obtaining a return flight or transit visa is difficult. Plan your travel logistics carefully. SoCal Immigration Services recommends that clients carry the following when traveling with advance parole: the original combo card or AP document, a copy of the I-485 receipt notice, a valid passport, copies of all USCIS correspondence, and evidence of ties to the United States such as employment letters, lease agreements, or bank statements.

Returning to the United States with Advance Parole

When you return to the United States with advance parole, you are admitted in parole status rather than in your previous nonimmigrant status. This is an important legal distinction. Parole status means you are permitted to be physically present in the United States for the purpose of continuing your adjustment of status application, but you are not in a traditional immigrant or nonimmigrant category. At the port of entry, present your valid advance parole document (or combo card) along with your passport to the CBP officer. The officer will inspect your documents, verify that your I-485 remains pending, and process your admission. In most cases, this is a straightforward process that takes only a few minutes at secondary inspection. Upon admission, the CBP officer stamps your passport or issues a Form I-94 noting your parole status. You can verify your admission record online through the CBP I-94 website. Once paroled back into the United States, you maintain your eligibility to continue your adjustment of status case. Your work authorization under the combo card remains valid, and your I-485 continues processing without interruption. If you are also in H-1B or L-1 status, returning on advance parole instead of your visa may change your status to parolee, which has implications if your I-485 is subsequently denied. For this reason, H-1B and L-1 holders often choose to travel on their valid visa stamp rather than advance parole to preserve their underlying nonimmigrant status as a backup.

Advance Parole vs. Re-Entry Permit: Understanding the Difference

Advance parole and the re-entry permit are both travel documents filed on Form I-131, but they serve different populations and purposes. Advance parole is for individuals with pending adjustment of status applications who are not yet lawful permanent residents. It allows them to travel and return without abandoning their I-485 case. A re-entry permit, by contrast, is for individuals who are already lawful permanent residents (green card holders) or conditional residents who plan to be outside the United States for an extended period, typically more than one year but less than two years. The re-entry permit replaces the need for a returning resident visa and preserves the holder's permanent resident status during extended absences. Green card holders who travel abroad for less than one year generally do not need a re-entry permit — their green card alone serves as a travel document. However, if a green card holder plans to be abroad for more than 12 months, a re-entry permit is essential to avoid complications upon return, as an absence of more than one year can raise the presumption that you have abandoned your permanent residence. Another key difference is the application process. Re-entry permits require an in-person biometrics appointment before departure, meaning you must apply while physically present in the United States. The re-entry permit is valid for up to two years from the date of issuance. For Anaheim residents in the Little Arabia community who maintain close ties to the Middle East and may need to travel for extended periods, understanding which document is appropriate — advance parole for pending cases or re-entry permit for green card holders — is essential for protecting their immigration status.

Feature	Advance Parole (I-131)	Re-Entry Permit (I-131)
Who Needs It	Pending I-485 applicants	Green card holders / conditional residents
Purpose	Travel during adjustment of status	Extended absence over 1 year
Validity Period	Typically up to 2 years (combo card)	Up to 2 years from issuance
Filing Fee	Waived with pending I-485	Filing fee required
Biometrics Required	Yes	Yes — must be done before departure
Guarantees Admission	No — CBP discretion applies	No — but preserves PR status
Form Used	Form I-131 (Travel Document)	Form I-131 (Travel Document)

Protecting Your Status: Essential Tips for Anaheim Residents

For residents of Anaheim and the broader Little Arabia community, maintaining immigration status during the green card process requires vigilance and careful planning. Many families in this community have relatives in the Middle East and North Africa whom they wish to visit, and the pressure to travel during a pending adjustment case can be intense, especially during family emergencies, weddings, or religious observances. Here are essential tips to protect your status throughout the process. Never travel outside the United States without a valid advance parole document or combo card in hand. A pending I-131 application is not sufficient — you must have the approved document before departing. Keep copies of all immigration documents in a secure location and with a trusted family member in case originals are lost during travel. File your combo card renewal at least 120 to 180 days before expiration to take advantage of the automatic extension provision and avoid gaps in authorization. Monitor your I-485 case status regularly through the USCIS online portal, and do not travel if you receive any requests for evidence (RFE) or notice of interview scheduling. If you receive an RFE while abroad, you may not be able to respond within the required timeframe, which could result in denial of your case. Inform your immigration attorney before any international travel so they can review your case for any potential risks. SoCal Immigration Services provides ongoing case monitoring for clients in Anaheim and throughout Orange County. Call (714) 421-8872 for guidance on traveling safely during your green card process.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:What happens if I leave the U.S. without advance parole while my green card is pending?

A: If you depart without advance parole and you are not in H-1B or L-1 status, USCIS considers your I-485 abandoned and your case is denied. You would need to restart the entire adjustment process or pursue consular processing abroad.

Q:How long does it take to get a combo card in Anaheim?

A: Current processing times for combo cards filed with a pending I-485 range from 3 to 10 months. USCIS provides automatic extensions of up to 24 months for timely-filed renewals. Contact SoCal Immigration Services at (714) 421-8872 for current timeline estimates.

Q:Can I get emergency advance parole for a family emergency abroad?

A: Yes. USCIS offers emergency advance parole for genuine emergencies such as the serious illness or death of a close family member. You must provide supporting documentation and may receive same-day issuance at the Santa Ana Field Office.

Q:Does advance parole guarantee I will be allowed back into the U.S.?

A: No. Advance parole authorizes your travel and return, but a CBP officer at the port of entry has discretion to determine your admissibility. In practice, most applicants with valid AP and no complicating factors are admitted without issues.

Q:Can I work with a combo card while my green card is being processed?

A: Yes. The combo card serves as both an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and advance parole document. You can work for any U.S. employer and travel internationally with a single combo card.

Q:Should I travel on my H-1B visa or advance parole if I have both?

A: If you hold a valid H-1B visa stamp, traveling on your H-1B preserves your underlying nonimmigrant status as a backup if your I-485 is denied. Traveling on advance parole changes your status to parolee. Consult with an attorney to determine the best option for your situation.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Anaheim and does not constitute legal advice. SoCal Immigration Services is a document preparation company, not a law firm. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

Published: February 9, 2026Last Updated: February 9, 2026

Need Help with Advance Parole or Combo Card in Anaheim?

SoCal Immigration Services helps families in Anaheim and the Little Arabia community navigate advance parole, combo cards, and adjustment of status with expert guidance in English and Arabic. Protect your green card case while staying connected to family abroad.

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Advance Parole and Combo Card in Anaheim: Travel While Your Green Card Is Pending