Travel Documents
Travel Documents in California
Travel Considerations for Immigrants in the United States
Getting into the United States can be a considerable challenge, whether you gain entry on a nonimmigrant visa or if you obtain a green card through family- or business-based immigration. Now that you are here, you may encounter difficulties in the event that you need to leave the country with the intention of being able to return.
If you suddenly need to travel to your country of origin for a family emergency, if you want to travel or spend an extended period abroad for purposes of employment, you cannot necessarily just come and go as you please in the way that a U.S. citizen can. You will most likely first have to petition U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services a travel document which will enable you to obtain reentry to the United States at the conclusion of your travels.
Immigration travel documents are applied for using Form I-131, "Application for Travel Document," which makes it possible to request Advance Parole, a Refugee Travel Document or a Re-Entry Permit.
Each one of these is intended for a different purpose:
- Advance Parole is for individuals who are awaiting approval of a petition for a green card and who need to leave and reenter the United States before they have achieved lawful permanent resident status, as well as for those who are waiting for approval of an asylum petition
- Refugee Travel Document is for those who have already been granted asylum or refugee status and want to obtain reentry after temporarily leaving the U.S.
- Re-Entry Permit is for individuals who have become lawful permanent residents or conditional residents and want to re-enter this country without first having to visit a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad to obtain a resident visa.
Speak with a San Jose Immigration Lawyer
Don't take any further action before consulting with the San Jose immigration attorney at the Law Offices of Timothy D. Widman. After working so hard to get a foothold in the United States, you should not jeopardize your immigration status by departing the country without first ensuring that everything is in order to provide for your reentry.
Let Attorney Widman help you choose the appropriate type of travel document and assist you with carrying out the application process with a minimum of delay.
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“His willingness to listen and communication skills are very great.”
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“He is highly intelligent, meticulous, thorough, and best of all takes a very personal, involved, and caring approach when handling your case.”