You may be a Guatemalan in the United States with a pending green card application, a pending asylum case, DACA or parole. If so, a trip home to Guatemala starts with a US document: advance parole, requested on Form I-131 before you leave. Leaving without it can cost you the application you are waiting on. Having it does not guarantee you get back in. And since August 13, 2026, a trip on advance parole counts as a departure for the unlawful-presence bars. That changes the picture for anyone who has accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence in the United States.

This page covers who can request advance parole, what it costs, what it does not protect, and the emergency route. Granted asylees use a different document. For that case, see our guide to asylee travel and the refugee travel document.

Quick summary:

  • Pending I-485: get advance parole before you leave. The I-131 instructions say USCIS generally will consider the I-485 abandoned if you leave without it. The USCIS Travel Documents page says USCIS will deny the case unless you fit a narrow exception for people with certain nonimmigrant statuses.
  • Pending affirmative I-589: get advance parole before you leave. USCIS says it will assume you abandoned your asylum application if you leave without it.
  • DACA: you can request it only for educational, employment or humanitarian purposes. Vacation does not qualify.
  • USCIS filing fee (G-1055, edition 10/07/26): $630 paper / $580 online for a pending I-485 or approved DACA. $630 paper for a pending I-589 or a current parolee. $0 with an approved T application (I-914) or U petition (I-918).
  • Parole fee on return: CBP may charge the Immigration Parole Fee of $1,050 from Oct. 16, 2026 (the FY 2027 amount; $1,020 in FY 2026), unless an exception applies.
  • Limits: advance parole does not replace your passport and does not guarantee reentry.
  • New since Aug. 13, 2026 (Matter of Delcarmen-Lara): leaving on advance parole is a departure for inadmissibility under INA 212(a)(9)(B)(i), the 3- and 10-year unlawful-presence bars.

The August 13, 2026 change: travel on advance parole now counts as a departure

USCIS has posted an alert on its Form I-131 page. It says that on Aug. 13, 2026, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) issued a precedent decision, Matter of Delcarmen-Lara, 29 I&N Dec. 830 (BIA 2026). That decision overruled Matter of Arrabally and Yerrabelly, 25 I&N Dec. 771 (BIA 2012). According to the alert, as of that date “departing the United States after obtaining an Advance Parole Document is a departure for purposes of inadmissibility under section 212(a)(9)(B)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)”.

The alert explains who that section covers. People who accrue more than 180 days of unlawful presence in the United States, depart, and then seek admission again within the relevant 3- or 10-year statutory period are inadmissible. The alert’s warning to travelers reads: “Aliens considering a departure with an Advance Parole Document should be aware that they may be inadmissible under section 212(a)(9)(B)(i) of the INA upon their return to the United States if they have accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence”.

What changed. The USCIS Travel Documents page (last reviewed 08/21/2026) carries the new alert, but its older body text still says USCIS follows Arrabally. That body text describes Arrabally as holding that travel on advance parole does not count as a departure that triggers the 10-year unlawful-presence bar under INA 212(a)(9)(B)(i)(II) for applicants for adjustment of status. Since the alert says Arrabally was overruled, that body text is out of date. This page follows the dated alert.

Why it matters for Guatemalans. Since Aug. 13, 2026, if you have accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence, a trip home on advance parole may leave you inadmissible under INA 212(a)(9)(B)(i) when you try to come back. Whether the bar applies to you depends on your own immigration history.

The sources for this page include no DACA-specific USCIS guidance on this change. DACA recipients should not assume it does or does not apply to them. For background on the unlawful-presence waiver, see our I-601A waiver guide.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Confirm your own case with an immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative before you file or buy a ticket.

Who can request advance parole, and what it costs

The Form I-131 instructions (edition 01/20/25) list several groups who can request an Advance Parole Document from inside the United States:

  • people with a pending Form I-485
  • people with a pending affirmative Form I-589 (asylum)
  • people with a pending initial Form I-821 (TPS)
  • people granted DACA
  • people granted T or U nonimmigrant status
  • people currently paroled under INA 212(d)(5)(A)
Your basis (Form I-131, Part 1)USCIS filing feeSource
Pending Form I-485 (Item 5.A)$630 paper / $580 onlineG-1055, edition 10/07/26
Pending Form I-485 filed on or after July 30, 2007 and before April 1, 2024, with the I-485 fee paid$0, plus the Immigration Parole Fee for certain approvalsG-1055, edition 10/07/26
Pending Form I-589 (Item 5.B)$630 paper; certain applicants may qualify for a fee waiver (Form I-912)G-1055, edition 10/07/26
Approved DACA, Form I-821D (Item 5.E)$630 paper / $580 onlineG-1055, edition 10/07/26
Approved Form I-914 for T status (Item 5.F), or approved Form I-918 for U status (Item 5.G)$0G-1055, edition 10/07/26
Current parolee under INA 212(d)(5), other than Ms. L. settlement class members and their qualifying family members (Item 5.H)$630 paperG-1055, edition 10/07/26
Immigration Parole Fee (HR-1), charged when parole is granted on return$1,050 from Oct. 16, 2026 (FY 2027 amount); $1,020 in FY 2026; not charged if an exception appliesFederal Register 2026-20185; USCIS alert of Sept. 30, 2026

The parole fee is separate from the filing fee. The G-1055 says that each time you seek parole at a port of entry, CBP will require you to pay an additional fee there unless it determines you qualify for an exception.

The Federal Register notice of Oct. 16, 2025 explains when the fee is due:

  • It is not due when you file or when the travel document is issued.
  • DHS collects it after it decides you merit parole and you appear for inspection at a port of entry, or when you are already physically present in the United States.

The Federal Register notice of Oct. 1, 2026 says CBP, USCIS and ICE “will begin assessing the FY 2027 amount for the HR-1 parole fee described in this notice on October 16, 2026”. That amount is $1,050, up from the FY 2026 amount of $1,020. The USCIS alert released Sept. 30, 2026 lists the same $1,020 to $1,050 change for Form I-131.

Exceptions to the parole fee. The 2026 notice says DHS does not assess the fee if you show, case by case, that your parole fits at least one of the 10 exceptions in HR-1. One exception listed in the 2025 notice covers a lawful applicant for adjustment of status under INA section 245 who is returning after temporary travel abroad. The exceptions captured for this page include nothing specific to DACA recipients or asylum applicants, so do not assume you are exempt.

A note on TPS. The instructions list a pending initial TPS application as a basis for advance parole. However, Guatemala is not among the countries the USCIS TPS page (last reviewed 09/09/2026) lists as currently designated for TPS.

What happens if you leave without advance parole

Your situationWhat the source says happensSource
Pending Form I-485USCIS says it generally considers the I-485 abandoned. The Travel Documents page says USCIS will deny the case unless you fit a narrow exception for people with certain nonimmigrant statusesI-131 instructions; USCIS Travel Documents page
Pending affirmative Form I-589USCIS assumes you abandoned your asylum applicationUSCIS Travel Documents page
DACAUSCIS may terminate deferred action, in its discretion, after a Notice of Intent to Terminate with an opportunity to respond. Your ability to renew DACA may be adversely impactedI-131 instructions

For a pending green card, the I-131 instructions say “we generally will consider their Form I-485 abandoned if they leave the United States without first obtaining an Advance Parole Document”. For asylum applicants, USCIS says: “If you leave the United States without first obtaining advance parole, we will assume that you have abandoned your asylum application”.

For DACA renewal details, see our DACA renewal guide.

What advance parole does not do

  • It is not a passport. The I-131 instructions say: “An Advance Parole Document is not issued to serve in place of any required passport”. The USCIS Travel Documents page says an airline can accept an advance parole document instead of a visa as proof that you are authorized to travel to the United States.
  • It does not guarantee reentry. The instructions say “The issuance of an Advance Parole Document does NOT entitle an alien to parole and does not guarantee that DHS will parole the alien into the United States upon their return”. USCIS adds: “At the airport or border, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will make the final decision about whether to allow you to reenter the United States”.
  • You are inspected on return. The instructions say that when you present the document at a port of entry, you are treated as an applicant for admission and inspected under INA section 235. If DHS finds you inadmissible under INA section 212(a), you may face expedited removal or removal proceedings before an immigration judge.
  • It can be revoked while you are away. The instructions say “DHS may revoke or terminate an Advance Parole Document at any time, including while the alien is outside the United States”. In that case you may be unable to return unless you hold a valid visa or other document that lets you travel and seek admission.
  • Parolees lose their parole when they leave. If your advance parole request is based on being a parolee under INA 212(d)(5)(A), the instructions say “their parole will automatically terminate when they leave the United States”. This applies even if you obtained advance parole first.
  • It does not stop the USCIS mail. The instructions warn that while abroad you may miss important notices, including requests for additional evidence. If you do not respond in time, USCIS may deem your application abandoned.
  • USCIS’s Form I-131 instructions say it is generally not available in removal proceedings. The instructions say that if you are in exclusion, deportation, removal or rescission proceedings, USCIS generally will not approve your Form I-131. For DACA recipients with an order of exclusion, deportation or removal: leaving without having the proceedings reopened and administratively closed or terminated results in being considered excluded, deported or removed. This applies even with DACA and advance parole.

Step by step

  1. Check your basis and your history. Confirm that your situation appears in the instructions’ list above. Check whether you have accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence, or have a pending removal case or a prior removal order. Any of these changes the risk. Take them to your attorney or accredited representative before filing.
  2. Make sure you have a valid passport. Advance parole does not replace a passport. If you need a Guatemalan passport, start with your Guatemalan consulate.
  3. File Form I-131 before you leave. Use the 01/20/25 edition and select your Part 1 item (5.A, 5.B, 5.E and so on). The fee schedule lists an online fee for pending I-485 (5.A) and DACA (5.E) filers. USCIS changed the mailing address for Form I-131 on Oct. 7, 2026, with a 30-day grace period. Check the Direct Filing Addresses page linked from the USCIS Form I-131 page before you mail anything.
  4. Wait for the document. The USCIS Travel Documents page says you generally need to apply for and obtain a travel document before you leave. It also asks you to consider USCIS processing times before planning travel.
  5. If the trip is time-sensitive, ask to expedite. USCIS encourages expedite requests at least 45 days before your departure date, if possible. Call the Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833).
  6. While you are in Guatemala, watch for USCIS notices. Arrange for someone to check your US mail and USCIS account so a request for evidence does not go unanswered.
  7. On return, present the document at the port of entry. A CBP officer decides whether to parole you in. CBP may charge the $1,050 Immigration Parole Fee unless you show you fit an exception.

Emergency advance parole for a family crisis in Guatemala

The USCIS Emergency Travel page (last reviewed 01/24/2025) says that if you are in the United States and have a “pressing or critical need to travel outside the United States in less than 15 days”, USCIS may issue an emergency travel document. One of the listed reasons is the death or grave illness of a family member or close friend.

To ask for emergency processing:

  1. Call the Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or request an appointment through My Appointment.
  2. If your situation qualifies, USCIS schedules an appointment at a local field office.
  3. At the appointment, bring:
    • a new Form I-131, with fee if applicable (you still need it even if you already have a pending I-131)
    • evidence of the pressing or critical need to travel
    • 2 passport-style photos
    • a full certified English translation of any document not in English

That last requirement matters for Guatemalan paperwork. A death certificate or a hospital letter from Guatemala in Spanish needs a certified English translation.

DACA recipients have one more rule. Under the I-131 instructions, humanitarian purposes include travel to obtain medical treatment, to attend funeral services for a family member, or to visit an ailing relative. The instructions are explicit: “Travel for vacation is not a valid purpose”.

The Guatemala side of the trip

  • Passport first. Advance parole gets you back to the US border. It does not replace the passport you travel on. If you need a Guatemalan passport, contact your Guatemalan consulate early, before your travel dates are fixed.
  • No Guatemala TPS route. Guatemala is not on the USCIS list of countries currently designated for TPS. The TPS-based advance parole basis therefore does not apply to Guatemalan nationals through Guatemala’s own designation.
  • Unlawful presence is the big question. The USCIS alert on the Aug. 13, 2026 change warns that people considering a departure with an Advance Parole Document may be inadmissible on return if they have accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence. The sources for this page include no DACA-specific USCIS guidance on this change. Before booking a flight to Guatemala, read the section above and get case-specific advice.
  • Permanent residents use other documents. Green card holders use a different document, the reentry permit. If your green card is lost while you are in Guatemala, see our I-131A guide.
  • Relatives coming from Guatemala follow a different parole process, covered in our family reunification parole guide.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need advance parole to visit Guatemala while my green card application (I-485) is pending?

Yes, if you want to keep the application. The Form I-131 instructions say USCIS generally will consider your Form I-485 abandoned if you leave the United States without first obtaining an Advance Parole Document. The USCIS Travel Documents page says USCIS will deny the case unless you fit a narrow exception for people with certain nonimmigrant statuses. Apply for the document and receive it before you leave.

How much does advance parole cost?

The USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055, edition 10/07/26) lists these fees. A pending I-485 or approved DACA costs $630 on paper or $580 online. A pending I-589 or a current parolee costs $630 on paper. People with an approved T application (Form I-914) or U petition (Form I-918) pay $0. A pending I-485 filed on or after July 30, 2007 and before April 1, 2024, with the I-485 fee paid, also costs $0, plus the Immigration Parole Fee for certain approvals. Separately, CBP may charge the Immigration Parole Fee when you are paroled back in at the port of entry.

What is the $1,050 parole fee and do I have to pay it?

It is the Immigration Parole Fee required by HR-1 (Pub. L. 119-21). A Federal Register notice of Oct. 1, 2026 says CBP, USCIS and ICE begin assessing the FY 2027 amount of $1,050 on October 16, 2026. The FY 2026 amount was $1,020. A 2025 Federal Register notice says the fee is not due when you apply or when the document is issued. DHS collects it after it decides you merit parole and you appear for inspection. DHS does not charge it if you show, case by case, that you fit one of 10 exceptions. One exception covers a lawful applicant for adjustment of status under INA section 245 who is returning after temporary travel abroad. The exceptions captured for this page include nothing specific to DACA recipients or asylum applicants, so do not assume you are exempt.

I have accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence. Is travel on advance parole still safe?

The rule changed on Aug. 13, 2026. A USCIS alert says the Board of Immigration Appeals decided Matter of Delcarmen-Lara, which overruled Matter of Arrabally and Yerrabelly. Departing after obtaining an Advance Parole Document now counts as a departure for inadmissibility under INA section 212(a)(9)(B)(i). Under that section, people who accrue more than 180 days of unlawful presence, depart, and seek admission again within the relevant 3- or 10-year period are inadmissible. Get case-specific legal advice before you book.

Does advance parole guarantee I can come back to the US?

No. The I-131 instructions say an Advance Parole Document does not entitle you to parole and does not guarantee that DHS will parole you back in. The USCIS Travel Documents page says a CBP officer at the airport or border makes the final decision. DHS may also revoke or terminate the document at any time, including while you are outside the United States.

Can a DACA recipient get advance parole to visit family in Guatemala?

Only for educational, employment or humanitarian purposes, according to the I-131 instructions. The instructions say travel for vacation is not a valid purpose. Humanitarian purposes include travel to obtain medical treatment, to attend funeral services for a family member, or to visit an ailing relative. If a DACA recipient travels without advance parole, USCIS may terminate deferred action after a Notice of Intent to Terminate.

A relative in Guatemala is dying or has died. Can I get advance parole fast?

USCIS says that if you are in the United States and have a pressing or critical need to travel in less than 15 days, it may issue an emergency travel document. The death or grave illness of a family member or close friend is one listed reason. Call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or request an appointment through My Appointment. If you qualify, USCIS schedules a field office appointment. There you file a new Form I-131, with fee if applicable, even if you already have one pending.

I have a pending asylum case. Can I travel to Guatemala?

The USCIS Travel Documents page says asylum applicants who intend to travel and return must apply for and receive advance parole. If you leave without it, USCIS will assume you have abandoned your asylum application. This page covers pending applicants only. If you have already been granted asylum, see our guide on the refugee travel document instead.