The short version
- Advance parole (I-131): 80% of cases done within 26.5 months (USCIS, read November 4, 2026).
- Work permit filed with a green card case (I-765, (c)(9)): 12 months at the National Benefits Center, 12.5 months at Service Center Operations.
- USCIS updates its processing times every month; the figure is the time it took to finish 80% of the cases decided in the past six months.
- Two identical 2 x 2 inch passport-style photos go with the I-131 when you apply from inside the United States.
- SelfieToPassport turns a phone photo into 2 x 2 inch photos on a 4x6 sheet with 2 and a letter sheet with 6, for $6.95.
How long does advance parole take now?
Advance parole lets someone with a pending green card application travel abroad and come back. USCIS decides it at Service Center Operations, separately from the green card itself.
The rule
- Advance parole travel documents (Form I-131): 80% were completed within 26.5 months at USCIS Service Center Operations. egov.uscis.gov
The work permit filed at the same time
Most people who ask for advance parole with a green card case also ask for a work permit in category (c)(9).
The rules
- Work permits (Form I-765) based on a pending green card application, category (c)(9): 80% were completed within 12 months at the National Benefits Center. egov.uscis.gov
- The same (c)(9) work permits took up to 12.5 months for 80% of cases at USCIS Service Center Operations. egov.uscis.gov
How USCIS counts the processing time
The figure is not a promise for your case: it looks back at cases USCIS already decided. USCIS generally works in the order it receives cases, and some take longer than others. Your receipt notice shows the form, category and office to look up.
The rule
- A USCIS processing time is how long it took USCIS to complete 80% of the cases it decided over the past six months. egov.uscis.gov
The two photos for Form I-131
The photos are printed, 2 x 2 inches, white to off-white background. SelfieToPassport turns a phone photo into 2 x 2 inch photos on a 4x6 sheet with 2 and a letter sheet with 6, for $6.95.
The rule
- Applicants in the United States filing Form I-131 for an advance parole document must send two identical color passport-style photos. uscis.gov
FAQ
How many photos does advance parole need?
Two identical color passport-style photos when you are in the United States and file Form I-131 for an advance parole document. Source: official page "Instructions for Form I-131 (edition 01/20/25) › Photographs", checked on Nov 4, 2026.
When can I ask USCIS about a slow advance parole case?
The USCIS processing times page has a case inquiry tool: enter your receipt date and it tells you whether you can contact USCIS about the case yet. Source: official page "USCIS Case Processing Times", checked on Nov 4, 2026.
Where this information comes from
Every rule on this page comes from a page published by the U.S. Department of State and the companies named, read on the date shown. We rewrite each rule in plain words and link to the page it came from. Each rule has a review deadline; one that passes it without a new check comes off the page.
- USCIS Case Processing Times › I-131 › Advance parole › Service Center Operations (SCOPS) egov.uscis.gov · checked Nov 4, 2026
- Instructions for Form I-131 (edition 01/20/25) › Photographs uscis.gov · checked Nov 4, 2026
Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.