Advance Parole

Hello all,

I just wanted to share my experience after using my advance parole to enter US from the Schengen area. Beginning of April 2021, my husband and I traveled back to Greece to visit family. We are in the process of getting our Green cards for 2 years now and we both have advance parole EAD combo cards. My husband also has an H1B visa (faculty position in research) and he was able to secure a National Interest Exception from the embassy, allowing him to fly back to US directly from Greece. I was very worried about myself travelling back to US directly from the Schengen area due to the proclamation banning entry to pretty much everybody (exempt US citizens, green card holder and students) as the proclamation does not mention Advance Parole holders at all. Yesterday we took a flight from Athens to US via Paris (AirFrance and Delta airlines). The first checkpoint was at the Paris airport were our documents were checked by a US person from border control (CBD). I was surprised that they had someone there. After a careful check and a few questions we were both able to board the plane. They asked me if I also have National Interest Exception and I said no, I have my advance parole and apparently it was enough. I was sooo relieved! Then we arrived at JFK. At the border control we were taken to another room for extra questions. They asked again if I have a National Interest Exception and I said no, I have my advance parole. The officer insisted that since I am using my advance parole to enter US, my husband should be using his advance parole too (he is the Green card petitioner). He did not fight them on that and he also used hid advance parole to enter. After a couple more questions we were given our passports back and said we are good to go! From my experience I would say advance parole holders are able to travel back directly from Schengen area, without having to quarantine to another country for 14 days.