We submitted our EB-5 based I-485 application four months ago and attended the biometrics appointment two weeks after that. Then we got an RFE and replied to the RFE three months ago. However, we still have not got our advance parole card. We need to travel in three weeks. How should we follow up with USCIS?
Typically, the application for travel document is issued within 60 days. You or your attorney should call the USCIS Customer Service Center to ascertain what is going on and let the USCIS know of the urgency of your need to travel.
No certainty when the advance parole will be issued, but it could take six months or longer.
The advance parole and work cards are taking five to seven months. We see more and more delays.
USCIS is taking two to five months to issue EAD/AP cards. You have to check the USCIS case processing times web page to see if you are within or outside of processing times. If it is an emergency travel situation, you may be able to make an appointment at the local USCIS field office.
These are taking six to eight months. If an emergency and you can prove this, then make an INFOPASS for an emergency advance parole. If you leave the U.S. without this, you are abandoning your permanent residency application.
It is taking between six to eight months for processing an advance parole application. If you qualify, you may request to expedite the processing of the advance parole. USCIS may expedite the application only if the applicant demonstrates that travel is necessary for one or more of the expedite criteria reasons: severe financial loss, attending funeral services, travel to obtain medical treatment, visiting an ailing relative, among others.
If the RFE was regarding the advance parole application, then most likely you will have to wait until USCIS considers your response to the RFE. If not, you should be receiving it within approximately four to six months from filing the I-485. You may want to follow up with the USCIS to inquire about the status of your application.
You can call customer service and ask for a service request. Unless you have an extremely urgent or humanitarian reason for travel, however, USCIS likely will not expedite your travel documents. The current processing time is about five months, but sometimes USCIS suspends the processing of a work/travel application if there is an RFE. The time resumes when they receive the RFE response. You should not leave the United States unless/until you receive your advance parole travel document.
