This article was updated on July 8, 2025

Summary

This guide is for people who:

• Have a sponsor in the U.S. who will assist them in applying for Humanitarian Parole, and
• Who face urgent humanitarian needs.

Humanitarian Parole

Humanitarian Parole lets people enter the U.S. temporarily because they are in danger, need medical treatment, or for other urgent reasons. Most applications are rejected. The U.S. government approves Humanitarian Parole requests only if people have no other legal option to enter the United States.

Examples where Humanitarian Parole may be appropriate include:

• Someone who needs life-saving medical treatment only available in the United States
• Someone who has a family member in the U.S, cannot get a U.S. visa, and is in danger.

Important Things to Know:

• Anyone can apply for Humanitarian Parole, including a person outside the United States
• Entry into the United States is temporary. The standard parole period is 365 days.
• After you enter the United States, you can apply for another immigration status, including by filing for asylum. If you are not successful, you may be required to leave the country.

What does my application need to include?

Your application has to have several different documents in order to be considered. Some of these are documents that you fill out, and others are documents that a sponsor would fill out. They include:

• Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. This is a document that asks for the travel documents you would need to enter the United States for humanitarian reasons.
   
• Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support. This is a document that you will file, but that needs to be filled out by a person or organization who is willing to sponsor you (give you financial support). The sponsor does not need to be your family member or friend, and they do not have to be a U.S. citizen or green card holder. 
  
  You can also submit more than one I-134 if you need multiple sponsors who are willing to support you. This would usually happen if there are two or more people or organizations who don’t have enough money to sponsor on their own, but do have enough money to sponsor if they apply together. 
  
  (Note: if a nonprofit organization is sponsoring you, they may be able to submit a written statement instead of an I-134. See “Tips and Instructions to File the I-134” below.)
   
• A written statement explaining why you should receive humanitarian parole.

Tips and instructions to file the I-131 (Application for Travel)

Where to file the form 

You can file Form I-131 online or using a paper form. This website has instructions for both methods. Note that the fees are different depending on how you file, and you can only apply for a fee waiver (a request to not pay the fee) if you file with the paper form.

Important Note: On July 3, 2025, Congress passed a bill that will impact humanitarian parole filing fees. The exact details of when fee changes will take effect and how the law will be implemented are not clear. We will update this guide when we know more.

Check the USCIS Fee Schedule website for Form I-131 and confirm the most current filing fees immediately before you file. For humanitarian parole, scroll to the box that reads “Initial Parole Document (for individuals who are currently outside the United States) (Part 1. Item 7. on Form I-131) and confirm the current fee for your application filing method.

• Filing online: Fill out the form and submit it here, using the instructions on the website. The website should also have the most updated fee information; as of July 1, 2025, the fee to file online is $580. If you file online, you must pay the fee - you cannot apply for a fee waiver.
   
• Filing by mail: Print out the form here and submit it following the instructions on the website. The website should also have the most updated fee information; as of August 12, 2024, the fee to file by mail is $630, but you have the option to apply for a waiver if you can’t afford to pay. 
  
  Note that there is no guarantee that you will receive a waiver if you apply for it. The decision is based on your financial situation. For more instructions on how to apply for the waiver, see below.

What to include when you file 

First of all, you will need to submit the completed form, and it must be signed. In addition to that, you should include:

• A copy of your passport and two passport photos
  • Note: If you do not have a passport, it is still possible to apply for and receive humanitarian parole. However, you will need to provide some other evidence of your identity. Additionally, you must be able to leave the country where you are currently located in order to travel to the US, and a passport may be required at that time.
     
• Optional, only for people filing by mail: A fee waiver request, along with documentation or evidence explaining why you can’t pay the fee. 
  • The usual way to request a fee waiver is by using Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. However, USCIS also allows a written statement explaining that you cannot pay the fee instead of a Form I-912. If you submit a written request, you can write “WRITTEN REQUEST FOR FEE WAIVER INSTEAD OF I-912” in bold at the top of your request to help USCIS see it.

• If you don’t have documentation of your financial difficulties, explain in writing your financial difficulties and why you don’t have any documentation.

Tips and instructions to file the I-134 (Declaration of Financial Support)

Who should fill this out 

The form should be completed by a person or organization who is willing to sponsor you, but they will need to give you the completed form so that you can submit it with your application. If you have enough financial resources, you may be able to file an I-134 to sponsor yourself. If you have multiple sponsors, each one of them will need to fill out a separate I-134.

If a nonprofit organization is sponsoring you, they may be able to submit a written statement instead of an I-134. However, if they do, they will still need to provide evidence that they can provide financial support. 

What to include when you file 

You must have specific documents from your sponsor. These include:

• Evidence of your sponsor’s finances. Examples of this can include:
  • Copies of income tax returns for the last two years.
  • Proof of their job and salary.
  • Proof that they own a house or car.
  • Bank accounts.
  • Other information of assets or income.
• A copy of your sponsor’s passport (if your sponsor is an individual and not an organization)
  • If your sponsor is an organization, they can include evidence of non-profit status such as an Employer Identification Number (EIN) in their letter so that USCIS can confirm that they are a nonprofit organization.

Other common questions about the I-134 form

• If a person agrees to be my sponsor, does that mean they have to pay for or provide housing for me?

• No, there is no specific requirement, and the sponsor does not have to pay for or provide housing for you if you are granted parole. The I-134 form just means that the sponsor promises to support you financially if you need it.
   

• How much money is required for a person to be a sponsor?
  • This varies based on your specific case, but in general, the sponsor should show that they earn more than the US government’s “poverty line” for a household size that includes both their family and all of the people on your application. This U.S. government website can help you tell if your sponsor has enough money to satisfy the requirements.
    
    To calculate the “household size”, you would count your sponsor, any children they would count on their yearly tax return, their spouse, you, and anyone else who is applying for humanitarian parole with you.
    
    For example: Your sponsor is married and has two children under 18 who live in her house, as well as a third child who is over 18, does not live at home, and is not counted as a dependent on their tax return. You and your child are applying for humanitarian parole. The household size would be six (sponsor, sponsor’s spouse, two children at home, you, your child). 
    
    In that case, your sponsor’s yearly income should be more than the dollar amount listed on the HHS website for a family of 6.

Tips and instructions for filling out the written statement and providing related evidence and information

Your written statement needs to clearly explain the reasons why you should receive humanitarian parole specifically. In other words, it needs to show not only that you meet the criteria for humanitarian parole, but also that there are no other methods of immigration to the US that are available to you. 

To do that, here are some things you should make sure to include.

1. In your statement, explain why you should be granted humanitarian parole. Give as many details as you can about your situation and why you need to travel to the United States.
2. Provide evidence that supports your argument for humanitarian parole. This may vary depending on why you are seeking parole. For example:
   1. If your case is related to medical issues, you should include:
      • Medical records that describe your issue, describe the treatment that you need, and explain why you need treatment in the United States specifically.
      • Evidence (like a letter) that says who will provide and pay for your medical treatment and all of your expenses in the United States.
        If your case relates to medical issues, include medical records. They should:
   2. If you are applying because you face a threat of harm, you can include:
      • Any information or documents showing that someone has targeted or will target you personally. It is more helpful if independent organizations, like the media or a non-profit, have documented the threat. (For example, if there was a news story printed about you being targeted, you could include it.)
      • Proof that you are part of a group being targeted for harm and you are known as a member of the group being targeted.
      • Proof that you have additional risks because of medical conditions, age, disability, gender, or other reasons.
      • You have additional that you should be allowed to enter the U.S. like family ties; and
      • You could not wait to apply for refugee resettlement or any other U.S. immigration process from another country.
   3. If you are applying because you were in the United States as a refugee, asylee, or Green Card holder, but left more than a year ago and lack documentation that would permit you to reenter, you can include:
      • An explanation of why you left and why you didn’t apply to come back sooner. Explain any changes in your life since you left.
      • Any evidence that supports your explanation of why you didn’t apply to come back sooner. For example, if you were visiting another country and your travel back was delayed because you got sick, you could provide doctor or hospital records.
3. Provide other information that supports your case. This will also vary depending on who you are and why you are applying. For example:
4.  
   • If you are Afghan:
     • You should include any proof of “strong positive factors” that would support your case. The USCIS website has a list of these factors on their website (in English, Dari, and Pashto, in the “Eligibility” section drop-down). These are characteristics that make it more likely for USCIS to approve your application; they include things like “I have an immediate relative who is a US citizen” or “I worked at the US Embassy in Kabul.” 
       
       Look at the website for the full list of factors, but if any of them apply to your case, you should say that and include any proof that you have. Please note that this list only applies to Afghan applicants.
   • If you have other people (not sponsors) in the United States who think you should receive humanitarian parole:
     • You can include letters from these people that explain why they support you and your case. These can be from family members, friends, or Congressional representatives.
5. Explain why you are applying for humanitarian parole and not trying to immigrate in some other way. Your statement should show why you can’t travel to the United States on a different existing pathway, such as a visa or through refugee resettlement. If you applied for a visa before, say when and where you applied. If you never applied for a visa, say why.

The table below summarizes the documents you need. Remember, even though your sponsor fills out the I-134, you are the one who needs to file it.

How do I file my application?

By mail

Check this USCIS website to find the correct filing location for your application. 

For humanitarian parole:

• Select the option “Initial Parole Documents (for aliens who are currently outside the United States)”.
• Scroll to the box that reads “I am applying for a parole document under INA section 212(d)(5)(A) for myself and I am outside the United States, or I am applying for a parole document under INA section 212(d)(5)(A) for someone else who is outside the United States for the first time (initial application), but not under a specific parole program or process.” Click on it. This will provide you with addresses where you can file your application.

There are two important things to remember about mailing in your form. The first is that there are usually different addresses depending on how you mail it in - for example, if you use FedEx, UPS, or DHL, you will probably send it to a different address than you would if you used the US Postal Service. The second is that these addresses change frequently, so you should always check the address right before you are able to mail the application if possible. 

The addresses below are listed on the USCIS website as of July 1, 2025.

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
Attn: HP
P.O. Box 660865
Dallas, TX 75266-0865

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: HP (Box 660865)
2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067-8003

Online

You can also file a Form I-131 for humanitarian parole online. (Note that there is a chart on the website explaining whether you can file the I-131 online, depending on the reason you are filing. For humanitarian parole requests like the ones described in this article, you can file online. If you are filing for humanitarian parole through a specific program, like Uniting 4 Ukraine, you cannot file online.)

To file online, scroll down the page to the “I-131” table. On the right side, you should see a button that says “Click here to file online.” You may need to scroll a little bit if you don’t see it.

What happens after I submit my application?

After you file your application, you should receive a letter from USCIS with a receipt number. It is difficult to know how long it will take for USCIS to review your application, and what happens next may vary depending on your case.

• Request for Evidence: USCIS will send this to you if it wants more information before making a decision. It is also called an “RFE.” Your RFE will ask for the evidence within a specific number of days. If USCIS sends you an RFE, you will need to respond within the deadline or your application may be denied.
   
• Conditional Approval: USCIS will send you this if they believe your application should be approved and you are located in a country where there is a U.S. embassy or consulate that provides visa services.
   
• Continued Parole Processing: USCIS will send you this if they believe your application should be approved and you are located in a country where there is not a U.S. embassy or consulate that provides visa services (such as Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, or other locations). It is also called a “Notice of Continued Parole.” This means that you will need to go to a country that has a US embassy or consulate to continue the application process. 
  
  Note that if you are applying for humanitarian parole, and you are in a country that does not have a US embassy or consulate that provides visa services, the US government will not help you travel to another country that has a US embassy or consulate.

Before you can receive a final approval and a travel document, the U.S. will ask you to complete several steps:

• Complete a non-immigrant visa application (Form DS-160);
• Attend an appointment at an U.S. embassy or consulate for an interview and biometrics ( fingerprints;
• Wait for additional security checks to be completed; and
• Some applicants, including most Afghans, must complete required medical examinations.

After completing those steps, the U.S. embassy or consulate can issue a “boarding foil.” A boarding foil looks like a visa and allows you to travel to the U.S. and request parole when you enter.