In 2011, USCIS started issuing a joint work and travel authorization card for Adjustment of status applicants.. The card was labeled as work authorization and at the bottom indicated “Serves as I-512 Advance Parole”. This joint card served both as a proof of the applicant’s work and travel authorization .
Recently though, USCIS started approving the work and travel authorization petitions for adjustment of status applicants separately. This is because USCIS is trying to prioritize working on the work authorization petitions as there are significant backlogs processing these petitions and they are trying to avoid gaps in employment authorization for applicants.
This new practice means, that you would receive one card that would serve as you employment authorization (that would not have the annotation that it serves as an advance parole), and if your Advance Parole petition is approved, you would receive an I-512L, “Authorization for Parole.” The I-512L notice would then allow you to travel internationally while your green card petition is pending, without abandoning your green card.
What documents should I bring if I am travelling internationally on the Advance Parole?
If you want to travel internationally while your adjustment of status petition is pending, you would need to carry the original of the I-512L notice, your passport and the I-485 receipt notice. The I-512L notice is valid for a period of time as indicated on the notice.
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