I-131
I-131 Travel Document (Advance Parole)
Who files this: Pending green card applicants who need to travel abroad
Median
7 mo
Typical range
5–19
months
Premium
No
Speed band
Slow
What this form does
Permission to leave and re-enter the US while a green card case is pending. Median is around 7 months, but some applicants have reported waits stretching past 19 months in 2026.
What affects the timing
Travel before advance parole is approved can be treated as abandoning a pending I-485, so timing matters a lot. Filing together with the I-485 is common but does not guarantee they finish together.
Premium processing
No premium processing.
Check your exact case
USCIS Check Processing TimesSelect your form, category, and field office for the official 80% completion time.
Related forms
Not legal advice and not affiliated with USCIS. Processing times are estimates compiled from public USCIS data and vary by service center, category, and case. Verify your case on the official USCIS tool or consult an immigration attorney.