United States Humanitarian Parole

You might be eligible for humanitarian parole if you can prove compelling emergency and there is a crucial humanitarian reason or substantial public benefit to allowing you to temporarily arrive in the United States.

You cannot petition for humanitarian parole if you do not have an urgent humanitarian reason for your visit, you must go with the normal visa issuing procedures set by the Department of State.

You are not supposed to use parole to escape normal visa-issuing procedures or to sidestep immigration procedures.

How to Apply for Humanitarian Parole?

Complete Form I-131 and Form 1-134 (Affidavit of Support),

Form I-131 is used for many different reasons related to travel to and from the United States. So, many parts of the form are not applicable to people applying for humanitarian parole. But it is recommended to review the instructions for Form I-131 before you complete it.

You should state clearly how long you wish to stay in the United States. USCIS will examine everything and may grant the parole up to one year maximum.

You must be including all the supporting documents to support your parole claims. You should choose to start with a cover letter drawing the reasons for the request. If you are not able to get a regular visa, then you should explain the reasons why you were not able to get a regular visa. Also, provide sufficient evidence that you will be bearing all your expenses during your stay in the United States.

To apply for humanitarian parole the applicant should submit the following:

• Form I-131, Application for Travel Document;
• Form I-134, Affidavit of Support;
• Application fee $575 or, if applicable, a Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver; and
• Supporting documents may include:
• A complete explanation of why the petitioner is requesting parole;
• A complete explanation of the duration of time for which parole is required;
• A complete explanation of why the receiver cannot obtain a nonimmigrant or immigrant visa from the U.S. Department of State including:
• When and where the beneficiary tried to obtain a visa or visas, if appropriate;
• If any visa application was denied, include a copy of the visa refusal letter; and
• A complete explanation of the reasons why the beneficiary cannot obtain a waiver of inadmissibility (with a copy of the denial letter, if any);
• Copies of any previously filed immigrant or non-immigrant petitions filed by or on behalf of the beneficiary;
• Copies of any documents that support the request (such as medical records),
• A copy of a government-issued ID documents showing the beneficiary’s current citizenship including the birth certificates and other government issued ID documents.
• If required; copies of the U.S. passport, lawful permanent resident card (green card), birth certificate or other evidence of valid U.S. immigration status or citizenship for the petitioner and, if applicable the sponsor.

For more information on the type of documentation needed to support a humanitarian parole application, please the USCIS web page on “Guidance for Certain Types of Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Parole Requests.”

There is a $575 fee to file the Form I-131. The processing time to obtain a Humanitarian Parole Visa can normally takes between 60 to 120 days.

USCIS requires evidence that the parolee has or will have sufficient funds in place to adequately support him or her once in the United States.

Such funds can come from either a third-party sponsor, the parolee him- or herself, or an organization.