Green Card Holders: Can You Travel During the I-130 Process?

Traveling outside the United States while your I-130 petition is pending with USCIS is generally not recommended. If you must travel, please read this blog post for more information.

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Introduction: green card holders and the I-130 Process

As a permanent resident or green card holder, you may want to travel outside the United States during the I-130 petition process. Whether or not you can travel and how it may affect your petition depends on your individual situation.

If you are the principal applicant (the person who filed the I-130 petition), you generally should not travel outside the United States while your petition is pending. If you must travel, you should first consult with an experienced immigration attorney to determine if traveling is advisable in your particular case.

If you are the spouse or child of the principal applicant, you may be able to travel on what is known as an advance parole document. An advance parole document allows you to reenter the United States after traveling abroad without having to obtain a new visa. However, it is important to note that not all green card holders are eligible for an advance parole document. Additionally, even if you are eligible for an advance parole document, there is no guarantee that USCIS will approve it. Therefore, it is always best to consult with an experienced immigration attorney before traveling outside the United States while your I-130 petition is pending.

What is the I-130 Process?

The I-130 is the first step in getting a green card. It is also known as the Petition for Alien Relative. The I-130 is filed by a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS) on behalf of a foreign national relative who wants to immigrate to the United States.

The I-130 is used to establish the relationship between the U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident sponsor and the foreign national relative. Once the relationship is established, the foreign national can apply for a green card through a process called Adjustment of Status or consular processing .

Can You Travel During the I-130 Process?
If you are a green card holder, you may be able to travel during the I-130 process, but there are some things you need to keep in mind before you do so.

First, you will need to have what is called an advance parole document . This document allows you to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad without having to obtain a new visa .

Second, it is important to remember that even if you have an advance parole document, you are not guaranteed entry into the United States . The immigration officer at the port of entry will make the final determination as to whether or not you can enter the country.

Therefore, it is important to make sure that you have all of your supporting documentation with you when you travel, including your advance parole document and any other supporting documentation that USCIS has requested .

It is also important to keep in mind that if your I-130 petition is approved while you are abroad, you will not be able to adjust your status from within the United States . You will need to return to your home country and apply for a green card through consular processing .

If you have any questions about whether or not you can travel during the I-130 process, it is best to speak with an experienced immigration attorney who can help advise you on your specific case.

Who is Eligible for an I-130 Petition?

The I-130, or Petition for Alien Relative, is the first step in reuniting families who are living in different countries. The I-130 allows a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to sponsor a family member for immigration to the United States.

To be eligible for an I-130 petition, the sponsor must be a:
-U.S. citizen
-Legal permanent resident
-Refugee
-Asylee

The sponsored family member must be:
– spouse
– unmarried child under 21 years old
– adopted child of any age
– biological child of any age

How to Apply for an I-130 Petition

The I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is the first step in most family-based immigrant visa processes. The person who wants to become a permanent resident (“beneficiary”) starts the process by filing an I-130 petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once USCIS approves the I-130 petition, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for processing.

What Happens After Applying for an I-130 Petition?

After you or your family member has applied for an I-130 petition, you may be wondering what happens next. The answer depends on a few things, including whether you currently hold a green card.

If you are a green card holder, you are free to travel outside the United States during the I-130 process. In fact, you may even be able to return to your home country for a short visit. However, it is important to keep in mind that leaving the United States during the I-130 process could delay the processing of your petition.

If you are not a green card holder, you will need to obtain a travel document called an Advance Parole before leaving the United States. Without an Advance Parole, your departure from the United States will likely result in the termination of your I-130 petition. Therefore, it is important that you do not leave the country without first obtaining an Advance Parole.

What are the I-130 Petition Requirements?

The I-130, or Petition for Alien Relative, is the first step in getting a green card for a family member who is not a U.S. citizen. The I-130 is filed by a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident who is petitioning for a family member to come to the United States.

To be eligible to file an I-130 petition, the petitioner must be:

A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
The spouse of a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
The parent of a U.S. citizen who is 21 years of age or older
A child of a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident who is 21 years of age or older

In addition, the petitioner must show that they have a lawful immigration status in the United States, that they have proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency, and that they have enough financial resources to support the family member they are petitioning for. The petitioner will also need to submit certain documentation with their I-130 petition, including evidence of their relationship to the family member they are petitioning for and proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency status.

What is the I-130 Petition Timeline?

The I-130 petition timeline can be confusing for green card holders who wish to travel. Here is a brief overview of the process:

The I-130 petition is the first step in the green card process. It is filed by a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident who wishes to sponsor a family member for permanent residence in the United States.

Once the I-130 petition is filed, it will take approximately 6-8 weeks for it to be processed by USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). After the petition has been approved, it will be sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing.

The NVC will then send the petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the sponsored family member resides. The sponsored family member will then be interviewed by a consular officer and, if approved, will be issued a green card and granted permanent residence in the United States.

The entire I-130 petition process can take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year or more to complete. Green card holders who wish to travel during this time should check with their local U.S. Embassy or Consulate to see if they are eligible for a travel permit known as an “Advance Parole.”

How to Check the Status of Your I-130 Petition

The I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is the first step in getting a green card. The I-130 petition establishes the relationship between you and your qualifying relative.

Once you have filed the I-130 petition, you will receive a notice in the mail from USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) with your receipt number. This notice will tell you that your petition has been received and is being processed.

The processing time for an I-130 petition can vary, depending on which USCIS service center is handling your case and the type of relationship you have with your qualifying relative. You can check the status of your I-130 petition online using your receipt number.

If your I-130 petition is approved, USCIS will send you a notice in the mail with instructions on how to proceed with the next step in getting a green card. If your I-130 petition is denied, USCIS will also send you a notice in the mail with instructions on how to appeal the decision or file a new petition.

I-130 Petition Approval and Travel

If you are a green card holder (permanent resident), you may travel outside the United States and return during the I-130 petition process. You will need a few documents to ensure hassle-free reentry, including your:

-Permanent Resident Card (also called a “Green Card”)
-Reentry Permit (if you will be gone for more than one year)
-Advance Parole Document (if you will be gone for more than six months but less than one year)

If you do not have a Reentry Permit or Advance Parole Document, you will need to apply for one before traveling. You should also check the travel requirements of your destination country, as some countries do not allow entry to people with certain types of US visas.

I-130 Petition Denial

The I-130 is the first step in getting a green card for a family member who is not a U.S. citizen. It is a petition filed by a relative who is already a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. If the petition is approved, the next step in the process is for the applicant to apply for a green card.

However, if the I-130 petition is denied, the applicant will not be able to apply for a green card and will have to leave the United States. If you are in this situation, you may be wondering if you can travel during the I-130 process. Unfortunately, once your I-130 petition has been denied, you will not be able to travel outside of the United States until you have been granted a green card or another type of visa that allows you to return.