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Questions and Answers > F-1 Visa

How can a Canadian citizen travel internationally without jeopardizing their I-485 adjustment of status?

I am a Canadian citizen. I recently married an American citizen and filed my I-485. Do I need an I-131 advance parole to travel back and forth from Canada? Will traveling without an approved I-131 jeopardize my I-485 adjustment of status? Also, could I travel anywhere, or just to the location specified in the I-131? Can I travel to Europe and back?

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Answers

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    Bernard P Wolfsdorf

    Immigration Attorney
    Answered on

    Unless you have a valid H-1B or L-1, traveling without an approved advance parole will result in the abandonment of your adjustment application.

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    Lynne Feldman

    Immigration Attorney
    Answered on

    If you leave the U.S. for Canada or anywhere else without the advance parole you will be abandoning your pending I-485 even if you are a Canadian national.

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    Daniel A Zeft

    Immigration Attorney
    Answered on

    If you have a pending I-485 and you depart the United States, then you must have an advance parole document to be readmitted to the United States. Your I-485 will be denied if you depart the United States without first obtaining an advance parole document.

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    Carolina Kripinski

    Immigration Attorney
    Answered on

    You MUST apply for I-131, Application for Travel Authorization. We also recommend applying for the Work Authorization as well (I-765). If you leave the country without an approved I-131, USCIS will consider that you withdrew your I-485 application. Do not travel without an approved travel authorization.

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    Julia Roussinova

    Immigration Attorney
    Answered on

    To avoid abandoning your pending I-485 adjustment of status application, apply for an advance parole document (Form I-131). A valid advance parole document must be received by you before you travel outside the US. You may travel to various countries and come back to the US on a valid advance parole document.

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    Dennis Tristani

    Immigration Attorney
    Answered on

    If you filed for adjustment status from H-1B or L-1 status then you can travel before receiving advance parole without causing the I-485 to be abandoned. If not, traveling internationally before advance parole is issued will cause the I-485 process to stop.