Understanding Humanitarian Parole

Introduction

Since 2023, 531,690 people have entered the US through Humanitarian Parole. 

Picture this: You are sick, and the healthcare in your country just isn’t good enough. You need treatment in the US, but there’s a problem—you don’t qualify for a visa.

So, what do you do?

The US, through its Humanitarian Parole Program, offers a way in. It allows people to temporarily enter and stay in the US without an immigrant or non-immigrant visa when there’s an urgent humanitarian need or a significant public benefit.

This blog will help you understand the process of applying for humanitarian parole, its benefits, and how to apply for a Humanitarian Parole in 2025. 

What Is Humanitarian Parole?

Humanitarian Parole is a relief given by the USCIS to allow a non-citizen to enter the US without having a visa for an urgent and emergency humanitarian reason. So, if you are inadmissible for entry or if you urgently want to enter the US for any humanitarian reason or significant public benefit, then you can apply under humanitarian parole. 

However, you need to know that humanitarian parole is not a way to circumvent the visa process and this is a temporary entry. Also, since you have not been formally admitted into the US, in most cases you cannot apply for adjustment of status or use humanitarian parole as a path to citizenship. 

When Can I Be Eligible For Humanitarian Parole?

After reading the meaning of humanitarian parole, you may have thought for a second, “What is the meaning of urgent human relief and significant public benefit?”. These terms have very broad interpretations and have not been defined anywhere by the USCIS. However, here’s a list of factors that the USCIS can take into account when deciding your case.

Urgent Humanitarian Reason:

The USCIS can take into account many circumstances, but three important factors are typically seen to decide if there is any urgent humanitarian reason:

• Whether or not the circumstances are pressing.
• The effect of the circumstances on the individual’s welfare and well-being.
• The degree of suffering that may result if parole is not authorized.

So, if you require urgent life-saving medical care, or if you want to attend the funeral of a deceased family member, then you can apply for humanitarian parole. 

Significant Public Benefit:

To qualify for significant public benefit under humanitarian parole, the USCIS may look at different public considerations such as:

• National Security
• Law Enforcement
• Foreign or Domestic Policy Consideration

To help you understand better, an example of a significant public benefit can be if you apply for humanitarian parole so that you can testify in a U.S. trial as a witness, or if your presence will benefit a U.S. citizen or green card holder, or public at large.

What Are Humanitarian Parole Country Specific Programs?

Along with general humanitarian parole, the USCIS also has country-specific programs. If you are a national of any of these countries, then too you can apply for Humanitarian Parole:

1. Nationals of Ukraine: If you were residing in Ukraine just before the Russian invasion, and you and your family members have been displaced, then with the help of a US supporter you can apply for a 2-year parole to the US under the Uniting for Ukraine Parole Program. 
2. Nationals of Afghanistan: The USCIS also allows certain nationals of Afghanistan, entry into the US under the Afghan Parole Program. The program started in 2021 after the US pulled its military from Afghanistan and since then, thousands of parole applications have been accepted. 
3. Nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela: Ex-president Joe Biden, in 2023 started the CHNV (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela) parole program for entry of 30,000 nationals of these countries who face the risk of serious harm in their home countries. After approval, you can legally stay and work in the US for two years. 

We understand it can often be difficult for you to know if you are eligible for these programs. You should consult an experienced immigration lawyer, who can help you in your journey and plan the best way possible to get Humanitarian Parole based on your unique needs. 

How To Apply For Humanitarian Parole?

Applying for humanitarian parole can be quite complex, as the USCIS has the discretion to decide which applications they will accept and which they will reject. So, the burden is on you to make sure they believe that you should be allowed entry into the US Here’s a list of steps you can follow in your application journey:

1. Gather all relevant documents, evidence, statements, etc.- The first step before filing any application is to gather all your documents, and evidence to support and strengthen your application. You should correctly write the reasons as to why you are seeking parole. If you have been unable to obtain a visa due to any ineligibility, then you should also have the records of previous visa applications.
   
   After reading through this, you may have thought that this is quite complex to understand and you may also feel lost. 
   
   However, during this time you have to consult immigration experts and ensure that whatever you write is accurate and not contradictory. You should also keep all your government-issued photo ID cards and other documents handy. 
2. File USCIS Form I-131- Form I-131 is used to apply for humanitarian parole and even re-parole. To complete the form you must fill in the name of the program under which you are applying, and attach all relevant documents/information to strengthen your case. Remember, parole is a special program, and the USCIS can deny your application for any reason. 
   
   Generally, the fee for filing Form I-131 is $630, however, you can also seek exemption. 
3. File USCIS Form I-134- Form I-134 is filed to make sure that you as a parolee will be able to financially sustain yourself for the time you stay in the US and will not need the government’s support for your needs.
   
   While you can show that you will be able to support yourself, usually, a US citizen or lawful permanent resident having an adequate income is required to sponsor your application and ensure that you will be financially sustainable. 
   
   If you apply for humanitarian parole through the CHNV parole program, then you may need to file Form I-134A(Online Declaration of Financial Support)  instead of Form I-134. For now, the USCIS does not charge a filing fee for Form I-134. 

Humanitarian Parole In 2025

Following the executive order of President Trump, the USCIS on 28th January 2025 announced that Form I-134A (“Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support”) will not be accepted. For the time being, if you are seeking parole then your application will not be accepted. 

If you are already living in the US under humanitarian parole, then it will be a good idea to consult an experienced immigration lawyer to understand your position and know how you can protect your existing status. 

Is It Worth Applying For Humanitarian Parole?

Yes, applying for humanitarian parole is worth all your efforts. Humanitarian Parole offers many benefits to people who are otherwise ineligible for entry to the US. 

• It offers a faster process of approval when compared to other visa-based entry methods, allowing you to enter the US much faster. Typically, the processing time for humanitarian parole applications is only 90-120 days.
• After reaching the US, you can also apply for employment authorization and lawfully work in the US for the duration of your stay. In certain cases, you can extend your stay for a long period, by re-applying through a fresh humanitarian parole application.

Get Started Today With Fileright!

If you can’t wait for a visa or don’t qualify for one, humanitarian parole may offer a way to enter the U.S. However, many applications are rejected due to filing errors or missing evidence.

At FileRight.com, we simplify the process with our advanced immigration software, ensuring your humanitarian parole application is correctly completed and properly formatted. Our system helps you check your eligibility before applying with a free quiz, avoid costly mistakes with step-by-step guidance, and ensure accuracy by generating properly formatted USCIS documents.