What happens if I leave the US during the process?

It is important to understand that each case in immigration processes may have particularities, but I can offer general information about what may happen if you leave the US during the EB-4 visa process. In many cases, when the applicant remains inside the US while adjusting to permanent resident status and, for example, has already filed an adjustment of status application (Form I-485), leaving the country without proper authorization may be interpreted by the authorities as abandonment of the application.

To avoid this situation, those in this scenario usually need to request a travel document, known as Advance Parole, before leaving the country. This document allows you to return without jeopardizing the progress of your immigration process.

If the Advance Parole request is denied or if you leave without it, the adjustment of status application may be considered abandoned, which could result in the need to restart the process in the future.

On the other hand, if you are undergoing a visa process with consular processing-that is, if the process has not yet started inside the US-leaving the country does not necessarily interrupt the procedure, since the entire process will be conducted outside the US. However, it is crucial to verify the specific status of your application, because leaving the US at an inappropriate time can cause complications that delay processing or raise doubts regarding your intent to immigrate.

It is always advisable to act cautiously and strictly follow US immigration laws. If you have questions or if the complexity of your case requires additional assistance, seek guidance from professionals or specialized companies in the matter, thus avoiding scams or campaigns promising to resolve the situation quickly and without proper legal security.

Remember that staying well informed and following the correct legal procedures is the best way to ensure that your process continues without unnecessary setbacks.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.