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Can people with DACA travel outside the U.S.? Read on to find out.

Traveling outside the U.S. with DACA is possible for educational, work, and humanitarian reasons. In this article, we’ll outline the steps for how to do it.

The Obama administration started the DACA program (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) in 2012. Since 2017, lawmakers and courts have changed it multiple times, shutting it down, reinstating it, and most recently, a Texas judge declared it illegal.

Because of this, authorities are not processing new DACA applications, but they are allowing renewals and issuing new documentation. The 700,000 people in the program are waiting for a positive decision so they can keep their DACA benefits.

While being in DACA doesn’t give you the same rights as having a green card or citizenship, it still has some important benefits. For example, DACA gives you the ability to work legally, protection from deportation, and the chance to travel outside the U.S. with special permission via Advance Parole.

How to Travel Outside the U.S. with DACA

DACA, designed for Dreamers (immigrants who arrived as children without legal status), allows you to travel outside the U.S. for educational, work, or humanitarian reasons while you’re still in the program. Traveling for vacations isn’t allowed.

To do this, you need to apply for Advance Parole, a special re-entry permit often used by people applying for a Green Card. This permit is issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

To apply, your DACA status must be current. If you’re renewing your DACA, you can’t leave the country until it’s approved. Other important things you need to travel with DACA include:

• A valid passport from your home country.
• One of these reasons for traveling:
  1. Educational purposes: like study abroad programs or academic research.
  2. Employment purposes: work assignments, conferences, training, interviews, or meetings.
  3. Humanitarian purposes: medical treatment, visiting a sick relative, or attending a family funeral.

If your reason for traveling isn’t listed, it’s a good idea to get legal advice to see if traveling is still a possibility.

How to Apply for Advance Parole

To start, you’ll need to write a cover letter explaining why you need to travel and listing the forms and proof you’ll provide.

Next, you fill out Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. You can find it on the USCIS website, along with instructions.

You’ll also need to explain the reason for your trip and include proof to back it up. Along with that, you need to submit:

• A copy of your latest DACA Approval Notice (Form I-797)
• A copy of your work authorization
• Two passport-sized photos

How to Prove the Reason for Your Trip

If you’re traveling for education, you should submit these documents:

• Study plan
• Enrollment or acceptance letter from the program or school
• Course description letter from the school
• Recommendation letters from your teachers

If you’re traveling for work, submit the following:

• A letter from your employer explaining the assignment and why it’s needed.
• For conferences or training, include confirmation of your registration or a request to be a speaker.
• For interviews or meetings, submit emails, letters, or documents as proof.

For humanitarian reasons, you should provide:

• Official paperwork showing the need for medical treatment.
• If visiting a sick relative, include a letter from the medical facility explaining the situation.
• A statement from you explaining why you need to travel with DACA.
• A statement from your relative explaining the need for your visit.
• A copy of your relative’s ID.
• A birth certificate proving your relationship to the sick relative.
• A death certificate if you’re attending a funeral.

How Much the Application Costs

The cost for this process is $630 USD. You can pay by personal or cashier’s check via mail, or use a credit card by filling out Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.

The applicant must mail the Advance Parole application to the address listed on the USCIS website. You should start the process at least six months in advance (if it’s not an emergency trip). If your situation is different from what’s mentioned here, we recommend seeking specialized legal advice.

Whether you’re applying for a travel permit with DACA, we invite you to check out our solutiona. Having expert help during the application and payment process is key. Contact Alvva today.