Who this is for
- People outside the U.S. facing an urgent humanitarian situation, such as a serious medical need or a family emergency
- People whose presence in the U.S. would bring a significant public benefit, such as taking part in a legal proceeding
- People who cannot get a visa or another immigration benefit in time, or at all, for the situation
- Requests can be filed by the person, a relative, a sponsor or an organization on their behalf
- A U.S.-based supporter who can show they will financially support the person while in the U.S.
Forms involved
| Form | Official name | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| I-131 | Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records | Used to request humanitarian or significant public benefit parole for a person outside the U.S. |
| I-134 | Declaration of Financial Support | Filed by a supporter to show they can financially support the person during the parole period, when required. |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization | Used by some parolees after arrival to ask for permission to work. |
| I-912 | Request for Fee Waiver | Can be used in some cases to ask USCIS to waive the I-131 fee for people who cannot pay. |
Step by step
- Document the urgent reasonGather clear evidence of the humanitarian emergency or public benefit, such as medical records or official letters, and explain why parole is needed.
- Find a financial supporterA supporter in the U.S. usually completes Form I-134 and provides proof of income or assets.
- File Form I-131The person or someone on their behalf files the I-131 for parole with USCIS, with the evidence and any required fee or fee waiver request.
- USCIS reviewUSCIS decides each request based on its facts and may ask for more evidence. Many requests are denied, since parole is discretionary.
- Consular steps, if approvedIf USCIS conditionally approves the request, the person is usually directed to a U.S. embassy or consulate for identity checks and a travel document.
- Arrival and inspectionCustoms and Border Protection makes the final decision at the port of entry and sets the parole period.
Documents usually requested
- Passport or other identity document of the person seeking parole
- Written statement explaining the urgent reason and how long parole is needed
- Supporting evidence, such as medical records, death certificates or court notices
- Form I-134 and the supporter's proof of income, assets or employment
- Evidence of the relationship between the supporter and the person, if any
- Explanation of why a visa or other option is not available in time
- Passport-style photos as required by the instructions
- Certified English translations of foreign-language documents
How long it takes
Timing depends on how urgent the request is, the evidence provided, USCIS workload and the consular steps after approval. Check egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/ for current information.
Government filing fees
Form I-131 for parole carries a filing fee, and a 2025 federal law added new fees for some parole-related requests; Form I-134 has no filing fee. Fees are set by USCIS and change, so check the fee schedule at uscis.gov/g-1055.
Working and traveling while you wait
Some parolees may apply for a work permit after arrival, but eligibility depends on the type of parole and current rules. Leaving the U.S. generally ends parole unless the person has separate permission to return.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating parole as a long-term status or a path to a green card
- Giving a general reason without specific, documented evidence of the emergency
- Not explaining why a visa or other immigration option will not work
- Staying beyond the parole period without seeking re-parole or another status
- Relying on a country-specific parole program without checking whether it is still open
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Is humanitarian parole the same as a visa?
No. Parole is temporary permission to be in the U.S. for a set period, not a visa or an immigration status. When parole ends, the person generally must leave unless they have another legal basis to stay.
Who can file a humanitarian parole request?
The person who needs parole, or someone on their behalf, such as a relative, an attorney or an organization, can generally file Form I-131. A supporter in the U.S. often files Form I-134 to show financial support.
Can I get a green card through humanitarian parole?
Not through parole itself. A parolee may be able to apply for a green card or other protection if they separately qualify, such as through a family petition or asylum. An attorney can review whether any option exists.
Are country-specific parole programs still available?
Several country-specific parole processes changed, were paused or ended in 2025. Because these programs change quickly, check the official USCIS humanitarian parole page for what is currently accepted.
Can parole be extended?
In some cases, a parolee can ask for re-parole for another period by filing Form I-131 before the current parole ends. Re-parole is discretionary and not guaranteed.
Official sources
Last reviewed: October 2026
These guides have been reviewed by MyUSVisa counsel. They are provided as is: immigration laws and regulations change often, and like any written communication, this information may contain errors or typos. MyUSVisa is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; reading a guide does not create an attorney–client relationship. Only the information on the official USCIS website (uscis.gov) applies — always verify it there, especially if in doubt.