How long does it take to get advance parole (Form I-131) in 2026?

Q: Does filing I-131 with I-485 make it process faster?

No. Concurrent filing is a convenience, it doesn't change the roughly 23-month advance parole timeline or the 16-month reentry permit timeline.

By Pinal Dave | Last updated: August 5, 2026

TL;DR: As of August 2026, USCIS is taking about 23 months to process standalone advance parole requests and about 16 months for reentry permits or refugee travel documents on Form I-131. You cannot legally leave the US before it's approved unless you already hold valid underlying nonimmigrant status and a valid visa stamp.

The evidence

Form I-131 covers several travel-document types, and USCIS's own processing-times data shows a real gap between them as of August 2026:

Request type	Current processing time
Advance parole	~23 months
Reentry permit / refugee travel document	~16 months

Filing Form I-131 concurrently with Form I-485 doesn't shorten this timeline — it just lets you submit both applications in one package.

Step-by-step: filing for advance parole

File Form I-131 — alone, or concurrently with your I-485 adjustment of status application, along with the $630 filing fee (2026, standalone; folded into the $1,440 I-485 fee when filed together).
Wait for the receipt notice, then track your case through your myUSCIS account.
Do not leave the US before approval unless you hold valid underlying nonimmigrant status (for example, an active H-1B with a valid visa stamp) — otherwise USCIS treats your I-131 as automatically denied and, if you have a pending I-485, deems it abandoned.
Once approved, you don't need to wait for the physical document — once your case status shows "approved," you can arrange travel and have the approval notice sent to you, though you'll need the original notice to re-enter the US.
Request expedited processing only for genuine emergencies (for example, a family death) — USCIS grants these case-by-case and rarely for routine travel needs.

FAQ

Can I travel while my advance parole application is pending? Only if you already hold valid underlying nonimmigrant status and a valid visa stamp. Without both, leaving the US before approval gets your I-131 automatically denied and can abandon a pending I-485.

Does filing I-131 with I-485 make it process faster? No. Concurrent filing is a convenience — it doesn't change the roughly 23-month advance parole timeline or the 16-month reentry permit timeline.

What if I need to travel for a family emergency? You can request expedited advance parole for urgent humanitarian reasons like a family death. USCIS reviews these case-by-case, and approval isn't guaranteed.