This information is made available by China News Digest (CND.ORG) For more related information, see CND.ORG (IP: 132.249.229.100) directory pub/InfoBase/pacakes/qanda by anonymous ftp. CND-US 06-07-1993 cnd-us@cnd.org ============================================================================== Information for P.R. China Nationals - Re: Advance Parole -------------------------------- Page 1 of 7 -------------------------------- P.R. China students and scholars who need advance parole should talk to a member of the ISSO staff before they send their application. The following information should not be used as a substitute for an informational/advisory appointment. SEND TO INS: (1) A letter to the INS District Director requesting advance parole (Form I-512 for citizen of the People's Republic of China. State the reasons for your travel, dates of travel (and airline, if known), and places where you will be when abroad. Your return date should be worded "return by [date]"; allow a few extra days in case your plans are delayed*. Be sure to include a daytime phone number. (2) A photocopy of a conference invitation, or a description of your research plans, or other pertinent documents would be helpful (though not required) to support your reason for travel. -------------------------------- Page 2 of 7 -------------------------------- (3) Completed Form I-131 Application for Travel Document. (Pick this form up at the ISSO.) (4) TWO identical passport-type photos. Write your name and date of birth on the back of each photo. (5) A photocopy of your I-20 or IAP-66. (6) A photocopy of the front and back sides of your I-94. (7) Photocopies of several parts of your passport: the expired U.S. visa stamp and the pages with your photo, your place of birth, and the expiration date of the passport; DO NOT send your passport. (8) Check or money order payable to Immigration and Naturalization Service for the fee of $65.00. -------------------------------- Page 3 of 7 -------------------------------- Send the items to: Attn: District Director, Re: I-512 for PRC IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE 68 Court Street Buffalo, New York 14202 Be sure to keep a photocopy of each item you send. Also be sure to send everything by "Return Receipt Requested"/Certified U.S. mail. Keep the returned receipt (post card) as proof of when you sent your application. NOTES: (a) We have been advised by INS that at least three weeks are necessary to process the advance parole request. If you need one in less than that amount of time, please discuss that with an adviser at the ISSO, and indicate that, very clearly, in your cover letter. (b) Be sure that the I-512 you receive from INS is completely accurate. The Remarks section should state "to be readmitted as...". (c)* You will not be allowed to re-enter with an I-512 beyond the validity date in the Remarks section. -------------------------------- Page 4 of 7 -------------------------------- QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT ADVANCE PAROLE 1. How will INS and the Department of State facilitate travel abroad and re- entry into the United States for PRC nationals? PRC nationals who wish to travel outside the United States and return may file for "advance parole" at their local INS district office. If your request is approved, INS will issue you form I-512 to which your photograph will be attached. The form I-512 will have a special notation permitting you to re-enter the United States in the same status you had upon departure. The form will also be marked with the following phrase: "The holder of this document will be re-admitted under the President's executive order 12711 of April 11, 1990." There is a $65.00 fee for the advance parole application. -------------------------------- Page 5 of 7 -------------------------------- 2. What does advance parole allow me to do? Advance parole preserves your right to leave the United States and return in the same status you had when you left. No visit to a U.S. embassy or consulate or visa stamp in the passport is required for your return to the United States. For example, if you were a J-1 student and changed to F-1 status, you may apply to INS for advance parole to leave the United States and return in F-1 status without a new or changed visa stamp in the passport 3. Should I apply for advance parole now so that I have it available when I want to travel? No. Advance parole has a specific period of validity. The filing of an advance parole request requires that one have a definite itinerary for travel abroad, such as set departure and return dates, and a compelling need for travel. It is normally granted only for the specific period that you must be out of the United States. -------------------------------- Page 6 of 7 -------------------------------- 4. How long can I remain abroad? An advance parole may only be requested for periods of travel less than five months. If you must remain outside of the US for five months or more, please discuss your plans with an international student adviser. 5. Does advance parole allow me to travel to other countries and assure my admission to those countries? Not necessarily. Each country in the world decides which persons it will admit within its borders and under what conditions and for what lengths of time those persons are admitted. Advance parole confirms your right to be readmitted to the United States, but it does not and cannot affect the visa issuing rules of other countries. -------------------------------- Page 7 of 7 -------------------------------- 6. If I travel to another country may I apply for and obtain a visa to re-enter the US? You may apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy if you have the proper supporting documents. However, nothing in the executive order requires the U.S. consular officer to issue a visa. This means that even though you apply, the consular officer may refuse to grant the visa. Thus, you may wish to obtain advance parole before leaving the United States so that you can be sure of being able to return. NOTE: Under immigration regulations one must have a valid passport to be granted an extension of stay, change of nonimmigrant classification (for example J-1 to F-1), or other benefits. Chinese nationals may apply for and be granted these benefits by INS even though their passports have expired, have been lost, are being held by the Chinese embassy, or are otherwise unavailable. This passport waiver continues until January 1, 1994. ===============================================================================