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Vacation to Europe
- Thread starter Tim Zheng
- Start date
Jack Archer
Registered Users (C)
No Title
Tim,
I hope everything works out for you. It would be nice if someone who has recently received their RTD can tell us how long it takes to get a new RTD these days.
I am not entirely sure, but I think asylees and Refugees are required to obtain Advance Parole prior to leaving the US again ( before 9/11/01 we did not require to do that). Here\'s what I found at the INS web site:
"
Advance Parole
Most aliens who have pending applications for immigration benefits or for changes in nonimmigrant status need Advance Parole to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad. Aliens applying for advance parole on the basis of a pending application for adjustment of status must be approved for advance parole prior to leaving the United States in order to avoid the termination of their pending application for adjustment. Note: this does not apply to aliens who have applied to adjust to permanent resident status and who maintain H-1 (Specialty Worker) or L-1 (Intracompany Transferee) status, or their dependents.
Aliens in the United States should, prior to departure, obtain Advance Parole in order to re-enter the United States after travel abroad if they have:
Filed an application for adjustment of status but have not received a decision from the INS;
Hold refugee or asylee status and intend to depart temporarily to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa in Canada; and/or
An emergent personal or bona fide reason to travel temporarily abroad. Applicants who are the beneficiary of a Private bill and Applicants who are under deportation proceedings must file at INS, Office of International Affairs, Parole and Humanitarian Assistance Branch, 425 I Street, NW, ATTN: International Affairs, Washington, DC 20536 "
Also, be sure to check with the Consulate office(s) of the destination country(s) you will be travelling to.
Tim,
I hope everything works out for you. It would be nice if someone who has recently received their RTD can tell us how long it takes to get a new RTD these days.
I am not entirely sure, but I think asylees and Refugees are required to obtain Advance Parole prior to leaving the US again ( before 9/11/01 we did not require to do that). Here\'s what I found at the INS web site:
"
Advance Parole
Most aliens who have pending applications for immigration benefits or for changes in nonimmigrant status need Advance Parole to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad. Aliens applying for advance parole on the basis of a pending application for adjustment of status must be approved for advance parole prior to leaving the United States in order to avoid the termination of their pending application for adjustment. Note: this does not apply to aliens who have applied to adjust to permanent resident status and who maintain H-1 (Specialty Worker) or L-1 (Intracompany Transferee) status, or their dependents.
Aliens in the United States should, prior to departure, obtain Advance Parole in order to re-enter the United States after travel abroad if they have:
Filed an application for adjustment of status but have not received a decision from the INS;
Hold refugee or asylee status and intend to depart temporarily to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa in Canada; and/or
An emergent personal or bona fide reason to travel temporarily abroad. Applicants who are the beneficiary of a Private bill and Applicants who are under deportation proceedings must file at INS, Office of International Affairs, Parole and Humanitarian Assistance Branch, 425 I Street, NW, ATTN: International Affairs, Washington, DC 20536 "
Also, be sure to check with the Consulate office(s) of the destination country(s) you will be travelling to.
No Title
Thank you for your nice wish. I will post what is going on with my trip plan here so it can be an example case for people to see. I hope other asylees will also share their experiences here.
I think asylees don\'t need Advance Parole to travel abroad and come back without affecting their 485 applications. There is a post on this board which has a link to a document somewhere about that.
Thank you for your nice wish. I will post what is going on with my trip plan here so it can be an example case for people to see. I hope other asylees will also share their experiences here.
I think asylees don\'t need Advance Parole to travel abroad and come back without affecting their 485 applications. There is a post on this board which has a link to a document somewhere about that.
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http://www.hias.org/Immigration/Answers/travel.html#T7
When a Refugee or Asylee May Need an Advanced Parole Document
Q: "Why do some refugees and asylees rely on an advance parole document instead of a refugee travel document to return to the United States?"
A: There are two main reasons for this. As we mentioned in the above answer, the refugee or asylee may have a green card application pending under Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This would include applications based on a marriage to a U.S. citizen. Or the refugee or asylee may already be aware before departure that he/she will be considered inadmissible when trying to reenter the U.S. later on. An advance parole document allows the refugee or asylee to be paroled into the United States without regard to his or her admissibility. Admissibility will be determined at some later time.
One applies for advance parole with form I-131, the same application used for refugee travel documents and reentry permits.
http://www.hias.org/Immigration/Answers/travel.html#T7
When a Refugee or Asylee May Need an Advanced Parole Document
Q: "Why do some refugees and asylees rely on an advance parole document instead of a refugee travel document to return to the United States?"
A: There are two main reasons for this. As we mentioned in the above answer, the refugee or asylee may have a green card application pending under Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This would include applications based on a marriage to a U.S. citizen. Or the refugee or asylee may already be aware before departure that he/she will be considered inadmissible when trying to reenter the U.S. later on. An advance parole document allows the refugee or asylee to be paroled into the United States without regard to his or her admissibility. Admissibility will be determined at some later time.
One applies for advance parole with form I-131, the same application used for refugee travel documents and reentry permits.
No Title
Thanks for your concern.
Was there a change on INA after 911? I doubt it. It\'s not so easy to change laws. And I didn\'t remember there were any news about it. Any change to INA would be news important enough to be reported everywhere. And a change to laws has to go through both the House and Senate and signed by the President.
Thanks for your concern.
Was there a change on INA after 911? I doubt it. It\'s not so easy to change laws. And I didn\'t remember there were any news about it. Any change to INA would be news important enough to be reported everywhere. And a change to laws has to go through both the House and Senate and signed by the President.
No Title
It take about 6-8 weeks to get an RTD. And yes you need a visa for all Schenigan countries. If you are planning to visit more than one country, then you need only visa for a country you visit first. It really simple to get visa, it usually ready next business day. One bad thing, that most European countries want a passport with expiration date at least in 6 month, that is why you should try to time your trip soon after you get RTD. On the good side, European immigration officers seems to mistaken our light-blue RTD for dark-blue American passport - no questions asked....
It take about 6-8 weeks to get an RTD. And yes you need a visa for all Schenigan countries. If you are planning to visit more than one country, then you need only visa for a country you visit first. It really simple to get visa, it usually ready next business day. One bad thing, that most European countries want a passport with expiration date at least in 6 month, that is why you should try to time your trip soon after you get RTD. On the good side, European immigration officers seems to mistaken our light-blue RTD for dark-blue American passport - no questions asked....
Jack Archer
Registered Users (C)
No Title
Thanks for the valuable information Annv.
Do you mean to imply that if you obtain visit visa from one EU country you can visit all the EU countries without getting visa from each and every EU country? For example, if I have visa from the UK I can travel to France, Germany, Belgium,...etc without obtaining visas from each and every one of those countries?
Also, on the cover of the RTD does it say "Passport" or "Refugee Travel Document"?
I think all EU countries, Canada, and most UN members will honor the 1952 UN agreement and issue visa to RTD holders. But there are a few "rogue" countries that will not issue visa to RTD holders. Would be nice if we can get a complete list of countries that issue visa to RTD and countries that will not.
Thanks for the valuable information Annv.
Do you mean to imply that if you obtain visit visa from one EU country you can visit all the EU countries without getting visa from each and every EU country? For example, if I have visa from the UK I can travel to France, Germany, Belgium,...etc without obtaining visas from each and every one of those countries?
Also, on the cover of the RTD does it say "Passport" or "Refugee Travel Document"?
I think all EU countries, Canada, and most UN members will honor the 1952 UN agreement and issue visa to RTD holders. But there are a few "rogue" countries that will not issue visa to RTD holders. Would be nice if we can get a complete list of countries that issue visa to RTD and countries that will not.
Jack Archer
Registered Users (C)
No Title
Tim,
I think you are right. I found it at the following link at the INS web site:
http://www.ins.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/advisories/advisory.htm#paroleqa
Note: An alien who has been admitted as a refugee or has been granted asylum does not need to obtain advance parole, but will require a Refugee Travel Document in order to re-enter the United States after travelling abroad. An application for a Refugee Travel Document must be filed on INS Form I-131, as described in A4 below"
I still want you to call NSC and confirm this before you leave though.
Tim,
I think you are right. I found it at the following link at the INS web site:
http://www.ins.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/advisories/advisory.htm#paroleqa
Note: An alien who has been admitted as a refugee or has been granted asylum does not need to obtain advance parole, but will require a Refugee Travel Document in order to re-enter the United States after travelling abroad. An application for a Refugee Travel Document must be filed on INS Form I-131, as described in A4 below"
I still want you to call NSC and confirm this before you leave though.
Jack Archer
Registered Users (C)
USA RTD holders don\'t need visa to visit Singapore
http://www.mfa.gov.sg/sanfrancisco/USA visa regulations.html
This is actually Singapore government web site. So I assume that is the law of that country. You guys might wanna call and confirm it with their Consulate offices in the US before you go there though. Just to be on the safe side.
http://www.mfa.gov.sg/sanfrancisco/USA visa regulations.html
This is actually Singapore government web site. So I assume that is the law of that country. You guys might wanna call and confirm it with their Consulate offices in the US before you go there though. Just to be on the safe side.
Jack Archer
Registered Users (C)
No Title
Tim,
I\'m sure you know this already, but here\'s the British Home Office web address that has info on how to obtain British visa. It states that RTD holders from EU countries don\'t need to obtain vsia to travel in EU countries . Now I know that privilege does not include us asylees from USA.
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/filestore/Poster Bus Coach 2_2001.pdf
Also, if you need to locate the nearest UK consulate office near your area please use this link:
http://www.state.gov/www/travel/consular_offices/u_sec.html
It would be helpful to us if you share your experience on obtaining UK visa.
Thanks and Bon Voyage (don\'t forget to print out that INS policy stating Asylees and Refugees do NOT need AP.) And on your return you will want to remind the IIO at the airport that you are eligible for I-94 with indefinite date.
Tim,
I\'m sure you know this already, but here\'s the British Home Office web address that has info on how to obtain British visa. It states that RTD holders from EU countries don\'t need to obtain vsia to travel in EU countries . Now I know that privilege does not include us asylees from USA.
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/filestore/Poster Bus Coach 2_2001.pdf
Also, if you need to locate the nearest UK consulate office near your area please use this link:
http://www.state.gov/www/travel/consular_offices/u_sec.html
It would be helpful to us if you share your experience on obtaining UK visa.
Thanks and Bon Voyage (don\'t forget to print out that INS policy stating Asylees and Refugees do NOT need AP.) And on your return you will want to remind the IIO at the airport that you are eligible for I-94 with indefinite date.
No Title
It says Refugee Travel Documrnt then Eagle stamp and US Department of Justice.
Countries whaich are part of Schenigan agreement don\'t have a borders check. So if yu planning to visit more than one country, you just get your passport stamped once. For example, if you got to Italy, then France, you only need visa for Italy. I am not 100% sure, but UK might be different and you will need separate visa.
It says Refugee Travel Documrnt then Eagle stamp and US Department of Justice.
Countries whaich are part of Schenigan agreement don\'t have a borders check. So if yu planning to visit more than one country, you just get your passport stamped once. For example, if you got to Italy, then France, you only need visa for Italy. I am not 100% sure, but UK might be different and you will need separate visa.
No Title
Got a postal receipt in my mail today. It is the return receipt from post service for my RTD application mail. It says the application reached INS on 12/26/01.
12/19/01 RTD application sent out at post office
12/26/01 application arrived at NSC
12/31/01 INS cashed application fee check
1/3/02 postal return receipt reached my mail.
Got a postal receipt in my mail today. It is the return receipt from post service for my RTD application mail. It says the application reached INS on 12/26/01.
12/19/01 RTD application sent out at post office
12/26/01 application arrived at NSC
12/31/01 INS cashed application fee check
1/3/02 postal return receipt reached my mail.
Jack Archer
Registered Users (C)
No Title
Good news. Thanks for the info Tim. Most appreciate it.
Good news. Thanks for the info Tim. Most appreciate it.
Question for Tim Zheng
Hi-----Tim, Thanks for your information about RTD. I would also like to apply for my seond RTD.But i didn\'t travel anywhere with my First RTD.And my RTD will Expire on March.
My question is -- did you send your first RTD to INS with the new RTD application? Or you don\'t need to.---Please let us know---Thank\'s again and Good Luck.
Hi-----Tim, Thanks for your information about RTD. I would also like to apply for my seond RTD.But i didn\'t travel anywhere with my First RTD.And my RTD will Expire on March.
My question is -- did you send your first RTD to INS with the new RTD application? Or you don\'t need to.---Please let us know---Thank\'s again and Good Luck.
No Title
It\'s interesting that we are in the exact same situation on RTD. I got my first last April and I didn\'t travel on it at all.
I didn\'t send my present RTD back with my second application. I was wondering about that also and I asked questions here. You may be able to find it on this board.
On 131 there is a question about your present RTD. I checked that I "attach" it but I just included a photocopy of it instead. There is no problem so far.
Good luck for you
It\'s interesting that we are in the exact same situation on RTD. I got my first last April and I didn\'t travel on it at all.
I didn\'t send my present RTD back with my second application. I was wondering about that also and I asked questions here. You may be able to find it on this board.
On 131 there is a question about your present RTD. I checked that I "attach" it but I just included a photocopy of it instead. There is no problem so far.
Good luck for you