Will Advance Parole and Re-Entry Permits Be Processed During Shutdown?

(U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) will keep processing most immigration benefits during a federal funding lapse, including the Travel Document (Advance Parole) and Re-Entry Permit. Because USCIS is funded mainly by filing fees, core casework continues even when other parts of the government slow or stop. Applicants can still file Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document), and USCIS shutdown processing for these benefits is expected to move forward, though some cases could see longer timelines if the funding gap drags on.

USCIS has stayed open during past shutdowns for the same reason: its operations rely on fees rather than yearly spending bills. That fee model allows adjudicators to accept, review, and decide applications like Advance Parole and Re-Entry Permits. For people who need to leave the country temporarily while a green card case is pending, or for permanent residents who plan extended travel and want to keep their status, this is welcome stability in an uncertain period.

What continues during a funding lapse

The agency will keep taking and working on Form I-131 for all travel documents covered by the form, including Travel Document (Advance Parole) and Re-Entry Permits. You can file online or by mail as usual, and you should receive receipt notices, biometrics appointments, and decisions.

The official form and filing instructions remain available through USCIS: Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.

Visa and passport services handled by the Department of State overseas are also mostly fee-funded. U.S. embassies and consulates tend to keep core visa and passport units running during a shutdown. However, they may scale back some non-emergency services if they face staffing strains or space limits at posts. That means applicants abroad may experience longer wait times for interviews or passport pick-up if a lapse extends.

At the border and airports, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers continue working because their roles are considered essential for security and trade. Travelers with valid documents, including an approved Advance Parole, should still be able to present themselves for inspection and seek entry. Still, lines could be longer, and secondary checks might take more time if staffing is tight.

Key takeaway: USCIS adjudication of Form I-131 continues during a funding lapse, and approved Advance Parole or Re-Entry Permits remain valid for travel during the period printed on the document.

Where delays can happen

While USCIS keeps adjudicating, some case steps rely on other agencies that depend on annual appropriations. These dependencies can cause delays in:

• Background checks that pull data from systems with reduced support during a shutdown.
• Coordination with partner agencies that may furlough staff.
• Local consular operations that face staffing, space, or safety constraints.

If the lapse is brief, most applicants will not notice. If it stretches on, you may see processing slowdowns, especially for cases that need extra review.

Labor-related immigration steps that rely on the Department of Labor—such as Labor Condition Applications for H-1B workers or the PERM process for employment-based green cards—are paused during a shutdown. Those programs are not fee-funded in the same way and cannot proceed without appropriations.

• This pause does not stop Advance Parole or Re-Entry Permit adjudications.
• But it can affect a family’s broader timeline if a job-based green card depends on a labor step that has halted.

Consular posts abroad may tighten services if local resources are strained. Even when fees are available, physical space, safety rules, and staffing levels can limit daily interview capacity. A longer shutdown can lead to backlogs at some posts after normal operations resume.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, common pain points during prior lapses included:

• Slower biometrics scheduling in some areas
• Longer mail delivery windows for receipt notices

Practical steps for applicants

To reduce stress and keep plans on track, consider these actions:

1. File early
   • Submit Form I-131 as soon as your plans are set. Early filing gives you a cushion if a slowdown occurs.
2. Keep evidence current
   • For Advance Parole, include a copy of your pending green card receipt (Form I-485), proof of identity, and any urgent travel proof if you have it.
3. Track your case online
   • Use your USCIS account to monitor updates and reschedule biometrics if needed.
4. Avoid international travel without an approved document
   • Leaving the United States without Advance Parole while your green card case is pending can cause that case to be denied as abandoned.
   • Do not depart until you have the physical card or document in hand, unless you fall under a rare exception.
5. Carry originals and copies
   • At return, bring your Advance Parole document, passport, and supporting papers showing ongoing eligibility.
6. Build in buffer time
   • Even with USCIS shutdown processing continuing, expect possible delays if the lapse is lengthy or if your case needs coordination with another agency.

Emergencies and field office guidance

Applicants sometimes ask if emergency Advance Parole will still be possible during a shutdown. Field offices may continue to consider true emergencies—such as urgent medical needs or a family funeral—if you bring proof and can show that travel cannot wait.

• Availability varies by local conditions.
• Same-day production depends on staffing and equipment.
• If you face an emergency, make an online appointment request and bring everything, including your Form I-131 draft, photos, and filing fee, so staff can act quickly if they’re able.

For permanent residents seeking a Re-Entry Permit because they plan to be abroad for more than one year, timing still matters:

• You must be physically in the United States when you file and when USCIS takes your biometrics.
• If a shutdown slows biometrics scheduling, adjust your departure date so you can attend the appointment.
• Skipping biometrics can lead to denial.

Families split between the United States and other countries feel these timing issues most sharply. A parent may need to visit a sick relative overseas while a green card case is underway; a student may need to join a study program abroad mid-semester. USCIS keeping the lights on for Form I-131 gives families a path to plan, even if patience is required.

Official resources and final notes

For an official overview of how federal agencies plan for lapses, see the Department of Homeland Security contingency documents: DHS Lapse in Appropriations Plans. These plans explain which roles continue and why, offering context for what travelers and applicants may see at ports and in field offices.

None of this changes how officers decide cases. The legal standards for Advance Parole and Re-Entry Permits remain the same during a funding lapse:

• Strong, consistent evidence still matters.
• Honest, accurate forms still matter.

While many parts of government may slow, the fee-funded engine at USCIS keeps turning, giving applicants a measure of stability when they need it most.