Travelling while your case is pending
Leaving the country at the wrong stage can abandon an application outright. Check your form and where it has got to.
Received
Travel with CautionThe I-765 (EAD) itself does not provide travel authorization. Your travel risk depends on your underlying immigration status. If filed with I-485, follow I-485 travel rules.
Before you go
- Valid immigration status or visa
- Valid passport with 6+ months validity
- Check if your EAD is linked to a pending I-485
What can go wrong
- EAD does not grant travel authorization
- If filed with I-485, leaving without Advance Parole = abandonment of I-485
- May lose place in EAD processing queue
Approved
Travel with CautionYour EAD has been approved. The EAD card itself does NOT authorize travel. You still need a valid visa or Advance Parole to travel internationally.
Before you go
- Valid visa or Advance Parole for travel
- EAD card (for work authorization proof only)
- Valid passport
What can go wrong
- EAD is for employment authorization only, not travel
- Traveling without proper documents could prevent re-entry
Time outside the US, and naturalisation
90-Day Rule
Trips under 90 days generally do not affect your continuous residence. However, frequent short trips that total significant time abroad may raise concerns.
Low risk - maintain records of all trips.
180-Day Rule
Trips between 6 months (180 days) and 1 year create a rebuttable presumption that you have broken continuous residence. You will need to provide evidence that you maintained your residence in the US.
High risk - you must prove you did not abandon residence. Bring tax returns, lease/mortgage, employment records, utility bills, and family ties evidence.
1-Year Rule
Trips of 1 year or more automatically break continuous residence for naturalization purposes. You will need to restart the required period of continuous residence (typically 4 years and 1 day for 5-year rule, or 2 years and 1 day for 3-year rule).
Very high risk - resets your continuous residence clock. Consider applying for N-470 (Application to Preserve Residence) before traveling if eligible.
Take with you
Worth knowing
- Always carry a valid passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity.
- Carry ALL immigration documents when traveling internationally (receipt notices, approval notices, EAD, Advance Parole, green card).
- Keep digital and physical copies of all documents with a trusted person in the US.
- Re-entry to the US may trigger secondary inspection - remain calm and cooperate.
- CBP (Customs and Border Protection) officers have broad authority at ports of entry and can question anyone entering the US.
- Do not sign any documents at the port of entry without understanding them. You have the right to ask for clarification.
- If you are a permanent resident, carry your green card at all times when traveling.
- Know the 90-day and 180-day rules if you are applying or planning to apply for naturalization.
- Consider enrolling in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck for smoother processing.
- Register your trip with the State Department's STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program).
Risk levels describe published rules, not your particular trip. If anything about your case is unusual — a prior overstay, a pending RFE, a removal history — talk to an immigration attorney before booking.