Humanitarian or significant public benefit parole
from outside the US · Official name: Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Parole for Individuals Outside the United States
USCIS can let a person outside the US enter temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit, even if they do not qualify for a visa. Anyone can file Form I-131 for themselves or someone else, with Form I-134 from a financial supporter. Each request is decided case by case, parole is usually for no more than 1 year, and it is not an immigration status and does not lead to a green card on its own. USCIS warns of an extremely high number of requests and delays. Country-specific parole programmes such as CHNV are not part of this record.
3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're not a US citizen and you've been in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you can't enter the United States. This includes green card holders. The US government renewed this on 11 October 2026 for another 30 days.
CDC Order: Suspending the Right to Introduce Certain Persons... (order history) Federal Register 2026-18948 (Sept 16, 2026 continuation) CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas (updated Sep 11, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
Anyone who has been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, Americans included, can't board a commercial flight to the United States. US citizens are asked to wait outside DR Congo for 21 days before flying.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC Travel Health Notice Level 2: Ebola Bundibugyo in DRC and Uganda (reviewed Aug 28, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Health screening after a stay in Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
US citizens who have been in Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days must fly into Washington-Dulles, Atlanta or New York JFK for a health check, and get text-message check-ins for 21 days.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC: Enhanced Ebola Airport Screening Begins at Washington-Dulles Checked October 19, 2026
Life in United States
Finance
3
Currency
US Dollar
USD
US Dollar
Cost of living
100
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–37%
Income tax (national)
social security 7.65%
Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).
Living
1
Happiness
#22 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
People outside the US with an urgent humanitarian need (for example urgent medical treatment or a critically ill relative) or whose entry brings a significant public benefit, who have a US financial supporter.
Eligibility
Urgent humanitarian reason or significant public benefit
- Parole is discretionary and decided case by case on the totality of evidence.
- The petitioner must show why the person needs to be in the US temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit.
- It is not meant to bypass normal visa or refugee processing.
Financial supporterSupporter
At least one financial supporter files Form I-134. USCIS calls a lack of financial support a strong negative factor.
Who can file
The beneficiary can file for themselves or someone can file for them. The petitioner does not need to live in the US or be related to the beneficiary.
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- 4 documents
- 2 fees
- 6 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Official sources
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