How does humanitarian parole differ from a regular visa?

Humanitarian parole is a special provision that enables individuals to enter the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Unlike a regular visa, which grants permission for a specific purpose—such as tourism, study, or work—and typically confers legal status for a predetermined period, humanitarian parole does not provide a pathway to lawful permanent residency or a permanent visa.

By allowing entry for immediate humanitarian purposes, such as medical emergencies or urgent family situations, humanitarian parole serves a vital function in emergency situations where there may be no immediate legal status. It focuses on providing temporary entry to individuals who need it most, without fulfilling the requirements associated with standard visa categories. This is essential for cases where individuals may face immediate danger or severe difficulties in their home countries, ensuring that they receive the necessary assistance and care.

Other choices mention aspects such as indefinite stay, automatic work authorization, and costs related to visas, which do not accurately encapsulate the specific characteristics that distinguish humanitarian parole from regular visa categories.