I want to travel outside the U.S. with DACA
Understand the risk, get legal advice, then apply.
5 steps
Step 1 of 5: Understand the risk today
Travel rules for DACA changed in 2026. Read this before you plan anything.
- Is DACA travel safe now?For many people with DACA, travel is riskier now than it was before August 13, 2026. If you lived in the U.S. without status for more than 180 days after turning 18 and before DACA, a trip on advance parole can now trigger the 3 or 10 year bar. Do not leave until a lawyer has checked your history.Quick answer
- DACA Travel RiskFor many people with DACA, travel on advance parole got much riskier on August 13, 2026. A new immigration court decision says the trip can now count against you, and it can make a future green card harder. Some people are not affected. Here is how to tell which group you are in, and why you should not book a ticket before a lawyer looks at your history.Guide
- Unlawful presence worksheet for DACA travelPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 2 of 5: Talk to a lawyer before you apply
A qualified person should review your history before you leave.
- Find a Trusted LawyerCheck before you pay. A few minutes can protect your money and your case. Here is how to look up a lawyer or a Department of Justice accredited representative, what a fair agreement looks like, what to ask at the first meeting, and what to do if something goes wrong.Guide
- First Lawyer MeetingYour first meeting is short, so every minute counts. Come with your papers, your story in order and your questions written down. Here is what to bring, what to leave at home, what to say and what happens next.Guide
- Questions for your first meetingPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 3 of 5: Apply for advance parole
You need the travel permit before you leave.
- Request advance paroleIf you have DACA, you ask for advance parole with Form I-131, online or by mail, with proof of why you need to travel. The fee is $580 online or $630 on paper. Since August 13, 2026, a trip can carry new risks, so get a legal screening before you file.Quick answer
- Emergency advance paroleIf a parent or close relative abroad is dying or has died, USCIS can sometimes issue advance parole in days, not months. You call the USCIS Contact Center, and if your case qualifies, USCIS books you at a local office with your papers in hand. It only works if you already fit an advance parole group, and the trip itself can carry serious risk. Call a lawyer the same day.Guide
- Advance parole packet checklistPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 4 of 5: Prepare for the trip and the return
Know what to carry and what happens at the border.
- Getting ready for an advance parole tripYour advance parole is approved. Now prepare like the trip matters, because it does. Get your papers, money and people lined up weeks ahead, plan for the hard moments, and know what to do if something goes wrong. Here is a week by week plan.Guide
- Coming back on advance paroleA border officer from CBP inspects you and decides whether to let you back in. Advance parole makes a safe return likely, but it is not a promise, so carry the right papers and know your history before you leave.Quick answer
- Trip countdown checklistPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 5 of 5: Get help from a person
You do not have to do this alone. Ask about cost, languages and current openings before you share documents.
- DOJ recognized organizations and accredited representativesFederal lists of nonprofit organizations recognized by the Department of Justice and their accredited non-attorney representatives, who are allowed to represent people before immigration agencies and courts. Use it to check that a non-lawyer helper is authorized.Organization
- ImmigrationLawHelp.orgA national directory of free or low-cost nonprofit immigration legal service providers. Search by ZIP code, county or the name of a detention facility.Organization
This page puts DNLH guides in a useful order. It is general information, not legal advice. Each guide shows its sources and the date its facts were checked.
Not quite your situation?
All situations- My DACA expires in the next few monthsRenew on time and keep working while you wait.6 steps
- My DACA already expired, or my renewal is lateFile now, push a slow case and protect your income.5 steps
- I have never had DACAWhat a first request means right now, and other options to ask about.5 steps
- I cannot afford the DACA feeLoans, grants and free filing help.4 steps