Form I-131 Instructions, Application for Travel Document

What is Form I-131?

Form I-131 is the Application for Travel Document. This immigration form is used by individuals who are located in the U.S. and need to apply for a re-entry permit, refugee travel document, or advance parole.

Here’s a brief overview of the three main types of travel documents associated with Form I-131:

• Re-entry Permit: This document allows a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) to re-enter the United States after temporary travel abroad (for a period of up to 2 years). It is particularly useful for green card holders who will be outside the U.S. for an extended period and want to maintain their permanent resident status.
• Refugee Travel Document: Refugees or asylees in the U.S. may use this document for international travel. It allows them to return to the U.S. after temporary travel abroad.
• Advance Parole: This document is typically for individuals who are in the process of adjusting their status in the U.S. (applying for a green card) and need to travel internationally before their application is approved. It’s essential for these individuals to obtain advance parole to avoid abandonment of their application. An exception to this rule exists for those with valid visas in the following nonimmigrant categories: H-1, H-4, L-1, L-2, K-3, K-4, V-1, V-2/V-3. 

Who is eligible to file Form I-131?

The eligibility to file Form I-131 depends on the specific type of travel document you are applying for. Here are the general eligibility criteria for each type:

• Re-entry Permit:

• • • Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who intend to remain outside the U.S. for more than one year. You must be physically present in the US when you file the Reentry Permit application and complete the biometrics appointment process prior to leaving the U.S. 
    • Reentry Permit is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance.

• Refugee Travel Document:

• • • Refugees or asylees who have been granted asylum in the U.S., or
    • Green card holders who obtained permanent residency based on refugee or asylee status.
    • You should apply for a refugee travel document and complete the biometrics appointment before you leave the U.S.
    • If approved, a Refugee Travel Document will be valid for 1 year

• Advance Parole:

• • Individuals who are in the process of adjusting their status (e.g., applying for a green card) and have a pending Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
  • The I-131 form can be concurrently filed with I-485 Application for Adjustment of Status.
  • The I-130 form can also be filed after Form I-485 Application for Adjustment of Status is registered
  • Applicants for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), TPS status holders, or individuals who have been granted T or U status
  • If you leave the US before the Advance Parole is issued, the application will be denied
  • Typically Advance Parole documents are issued for 1-2 years.
  • The following individuals cannot apply for Advance Parole:
    • J-1 visa holders who are subject to the 2-year foreign residence requirement
    • Individuals in exclusion, deportation, removal or rescission proceedings (unless you hold DACA status).

Form I-131 filing fees

Form I-131 filing fees vary depending on the type of the travel document:

Travel document type	Filing fees
Advance Parole	$575 Exception: $0 where Form I-131 is being filed based on a pending I-485 application that was filed on or after July 30, 2007, and where Form I-485 filing fee was paid
Reentry Permit	$575 (13 or younger) $575 + $85 biometric fee = $660 (14 to 79) $575 (80 or older)
Refugee Travel Document	$105 (13 or younger) $105 + $85 biometric fee = $190 (14 or 15) $135 + $85 biometric fee = $220 (16 to 79) $135 (80 or older)

USCIS regularly updates filing fees, so it’s crucial to check the most recent Form I-131 filing fees.

Payment methods accepted by USCIS:

• Money order (payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
• Personal check (payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
• Cashier’s check (payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
• Pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions

Form I-131 checklist of required documents

Here is a general checklist of required documents for Form I-131 (submit photocopies only):

Travel document type	Documents required
Advance Parole	If the applicant is in the U.S.: Photo ID (front and back), for example: passport, driver’s license, foreign ID or state ID, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), etc. Two identical passport-style photographs of applicant taken within 30 days of the filing of this application; Document showing the applicant’s current status in the U.S. (for example, I-20 form for F-1 students, DS-2019 form for J-1 students, your Form I-94, etc.; Form I-485 receipt notice (only if you are applying based on a pending I-485 application); Evidence that your trip is for educational, employment, or humanitarian purposes (only for DACA applicants); U.S. embassy interview appointment letter (only for applicants traveling to Canada to apply for an immigrant visa) Certified English translations of documents in foreign languages Most recently issued Advance Parole document (if applicable) If the applicant is outside the U.S.: ID document for beneficiary, petitioner, and financial supporter; Beneficiary’s passport (biographic page); Description of the urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reason; Form I-134 with supporting documentation; Statement explaining why the beneficiary cannot obtain a US visa (if applicable); Statement explaining why the beneficiary cannot obtain a waiver of inadmissibility (if applicable); Any immigrant/nonimmigrant applications/petitions decision notices Certified English translations of documents in foreign languages.
Reentry permit	Photo ID (front and back), for example: passport, driver’s license, foreign ID or state ID, etc. Certified English translations of documents in foreign languages. Most recently issued Reentry Permit (if applicable) Proof of your lawful permanent resident status: Front and back of your green card; Passport (biographic page) and stamped immigrant visa page; Form I-90 approval notice (if applicable) Other evidence of lawful permanent resident status.
Refugee Travel Document	If the applicant is in the U.S.: Photo ID (front and back), for example: passport, driver’s license, foreign ID or state ID, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), etc. Proof of refugee or asylee status (I-94 form, USCIS grant of asylum notice, immigration judge order, etc.) Previously issued refugee travel document (if applicable) Statement explaining the reason for a “Yes” response to any question in Part 6 of Form I-131 If the applicant is outside the U.S.: Two identical passport-style photographs of applicant taken within 30 days of the filing of this application; Documents showing your last date of departure from the U.S. (airline tickets, boarding passes, etc.) Form I-131 fee receipt (paid at a overseas USCIS office or US Embassy) Statement explaining: The purpose of your trip outside the U.S. The reason you left the US without first applying for a refugee travel document; Description of places you have traveled and your activities since you left the U.S.; Whether you intended to abandon your refugee/asylee status when you left the U.S.

Where to send Form I-131 application

The mailing address for the Form I-131 application depends on the type of travel document you are applying for and your location. 

USCIS periodically updates mailing addresses, so it’s essential to check the most recent Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-131.

Note: if you are filing Form I-131 concurrently with Form I-485, you can submit completed Form I-130 in the same Form I-485 package.

How to fill out Form I-131 – step-by-step instructions

Let’s start with general Form I-131 instructions:

• Current edition of forms: make sure that you are using the current edition of the Form I-131. The most current edition is available on the USCIS website.
• USCIS will reject any outdated editions of the form
• Sign and date the form
• Answer all questions fully and accurately
• If you need extra space to complete any item on Form I-131, you can provide it on an additional sheet of paper. Indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer refers.
• If an item is not applicable or the answer is “none,” type or print “N/A” 
• You must sign the form in ink. Stamped or typed signatures are not accepted

Step-by-step instructions on how to fill out Form I-131:

For USCIS Use Only: leave this section blank.

To Be Completed by an Attorney/Representative, if any: leave this section blank.

Part 1. Information About You

Question 1 – Applicant’s Name: Enter your full legal name as shown on your birth certificate, passport or legal name-change document. 

Question 2 – U.S. Physical Address: Enter your U.S. physical address. 

Other Information 

Question 3 – Alien Registration Number (A-Number) (if any): Enter your Alien Registration Number (also known as an “A-Number” or “A#”) here, if you have one. Most applicants do not have an A-Number. 

A-Numbers are usually assigned when an immigrant petition or application for Adjustment of Status is filed, or if the person has previously been issued an immigrant visa. 

An A-Number is also assigned to individuals placed in removal or deportation proceedings.

Some applicants may have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that lists an A-Number that starts with a “1.” This number is not an A-Number. It is an EAD number and need not be listed here. 

Question 4 – Country of Birth: enter your country of birth.

Question 5 – Country of Citizenship: enter the country of your current citizenship or nationality. If you hold more than one country of citizenship/nationality, enter them all.

Question 6 – Class of Admission: Enter your current nonimmigrant status as listed on your Form I-94 (under “Class of admission”, for example: B-2, F-1, etc.) If you have a pending I-485 application, you can enter “I-485 Pending” here. If you did not come through an official CBP port of entry, type “EWI” (Entered Without Inspection) here.

Question 7 – Gender: Check the appropriate box that reflects your gender.

Question 8 – Date of Birth: Enter your date of birth in the (mm/dd/yyyy) format.

Question 9 – USCIS Online Account Number (if any) – If you have ever created an USCIS Online Account Number, enter it here.

If you have previously filed certain applications or petitions on a paper form, you may have received a USCIS Online Account Access Notice issuing a USCIS Online Account Number. 

The USCIS Online Account Number (if any) can be found at the top of the notices for the previously filed petition or application. 

The USCIS Online Account Number is NOT the same as an A-Number.

If you don’t know or don’t have an USCIS online account number, leave this field blank.

Part 2. Application Type

Question 1 – Application Type: Select the appropriate basis for I-131 application from the following options:

1.a – I am a permanent resident or conditional resident of the United States, and I am applying for a reentry permit – choose this box if you are planning to stay outside the US for more than 1 year and need to preserve your permanent resident status.

1.b – I now hold U.S. refugee or asylee status, and I am applying for a Refugee Travel Document – choose this box if you were granted asylum in the US or entered the US as a refugee and need to travel outside the U.S. for a short trip. 

1.c – I am a permanent resident as a direct result of refugee or asylee status, and I am applying for a Refugee Travel Document – choose this box if you obtained a green card based on asylee/refugee status and you need to travel abroad for a short trip.

1.d – I am applying for an Advance Parole Document to allow me to return to the United States after temporary foreign travel – choose this box if you have a pending Form I-485 application, pending TPS application, you were granted TPS status or T/U status and you need to travel temporarily outside the U.S.

1.e – I am outside the United States, and I am applying for an Advance Parole Document – choose this box if you are outside the US and need to visit the US temporarily for an urgent humanitarian reason or for significant public benefit. 

1.f – I am applying for an Advance Parole Document for a person who is outside the United States – choose this box if an individual who is physically present in the US wants to apply Advance Parole on your behalf. The person who is located in the US must complete Part 1 of this form.

If you checked box “1.f.” provide the following information about that person in 2.a. through 2.p.: – must be completed only if you selected box “1.f” 

Part 3. Processing Information

Question 1 – Date of Intended Departure: Enter your intended date of departure in the mm/dd/yyyy format. If you do not have a specific date of intended departure, you can enter any estimated date.

Question 2 – Expected Length of Trip: Enter your expected length of trip. If you do not know the length of trip, you can enter any estimated date, for example 14 days. Exception: if applying for an Advance Parole, you can request a trip abroad longer than 365 days.

Question 3.a. – Are you, or any person included in this application, now in exclusion, deportation, removal, or rescission proceedings?: Answer “Yes” if the person applying for a travel document is currently in immigration proceedings (including exclusion, deportation, removal, or rescission proceedings). If you are currently in immigration proceedings, it might make you ineligible for the advance parole or otherwise negatively affect your immigration status. 

Question 3.b. – If ‘Yes’, Name of DHS office – if you answered “Yes” to question 3.a., enter the name of the DHS office that is currently involved in your exclusion, deportation, removal or rescission proceedings. For example, “New York 26 Federal Plaza Office”. Leave this blank if you answered “No” to question 3.a.

Question 4.a. – Have you ever before been issued a reentry permit or Refugee Travel Document?: Answer “Yes” if you were previously issued a reentry permit or refugee travel document.  

Question 4.b. – Date Issued – If you answered “Yes,” to question 4.a., then provide the date that your previous Reentry Permit or Refugee Travel Document was issued.

Question 4.c. – Disposition (attached, lost, etc.) – current status of the document (attached, lost, etc.) A copy of the previously issued travel document with the I-131 application must be submitted.

Question 5 through Question 10 – Questions 5 through 10 are skipped if you are applying for an Advance Parole Document. 

Where do you want this travel document sent? (Check one)

Question 5. To the US address shown in Part 1 (2.a. Through 2.i.) of this form – answer this question only if you are applying for a reentry permit or refugee travel document. If you want the travel document to be mailed to the U.S. address you provided earlier, choose this box.

Question 6. To a US Embassy or consulate at – answer this question only if you are applying for a reentry permit or refugee travel document. If you want the travel document to be sent to a US embassy or consulate abroad, choose this box.

Question 6.a. City or Town – if you selected the option of sending your reentry permit or refugee travel document to the US embassy or consulate, enter the city where the US embassy or consulate is located.

Question 6.b. Country – if you selected the option of sending your reentry permit or refugee travel document to the US embassy or consulate, enter the country where the US embassy or consulate is located.

Question 7. To a DHS office overseas at – answer this question only if you are applying for a reentry permit or refugee travel document. If you want the travel document to be sent to a DHS office located abroad, choose this box.

Question 7.a. City or Town – if you selected the option of sending your reentry permit or refugee travel document to the DHS office located abroad, enter the city where the DHS office is located.

Question 7.b. Country – if you selected the option of sending your reentry permit or refugee travel document to the DHS office located abroad, enter the country where the DHS office is located.

If you checked “6” or “7”, where should the notice to pick up the travel document be sent?

Question 8. To the address shown in Part 2 (2.h. through 2.p.) of this form  – choose this box if you want the notice to pick up the travel document to be sent to the address you provided in Part 2.

Question 9. To the address shown in Part 3 (10.a. through 10.i) of this form – if you want the notice to pick up the travel document to be sent to another address, please provide it in 10.a.-10.h.

Part 4. Information About Your Proposed Travel

Part 4 must be completed only by DACA status holders applying for an advance parole. All other applicants can skip this section.

1.a. Purpose of trip – if you were granted DACA status and applying for an advance parole, explain the purpose of your overseas travel. For example, educational, employment, or humanitarian reasons.

1.b. List the countries you intend to visit – enter the list of countries you plan to visit.

Part. 5 Complete Only If Applying for a Re-entry Permit

Skip Part 5 if you are applying for an advance parole or refugee travel document. Part 5 is only completed by reentry permit applicants.

Since becoming a permanent resident of the United States (or during the past 5 years, whichever is less) how much total time have you spent outside the United States?

Questions below must be answered only by reentry permit applicants:

1.a. Less than 6 months – choose this box if you have spent less than 6 months outside the US since you became a permanent resident (since your first green card’s issuance date)

1.b. 6 months to 1 year – choose this box if you have spent 6 months to 1 year outside the US since you became a permanent resident (since your first green card’s issuance date)

1.c. 1 to 2 years – choose this box if you have spent 1 to 2 years outside the US since you became a permanent resident (since your first green card’s issuance date)

1.d. 2 to 3 years – choose this box if you have spent 2 to 3 years outside the US since you became a permanent resident (since your first green card’s issuance date)

1.e. 3 to 4 years – choose this box if you have spent 3 to 4 years outside the US since you became a permanent resident (since your first green card’s issuance date)

1.f. More than 4 years – choose this box if you have spent more than 4 years outside the US since you became a permanent resident (since your first green card’s issuance date)

Since you became a permanent resident of the United States, have you ever filed a Federal income tax return as a nonresident or failed to file a Federal income tax return because you considered yourself to be nonresident? (If “Yes” give details on a separate sheet of paper.) Answer “Yes” or “No”. If answered “Yes”, you must provide a detailed explanation on a separate sheet.

Part 6. Complete Only If Applying for a Refugee Travel Document

Skip Part 6 if you are applying for an advance parole or reentry permit. Part 6 must only be filled out by refugee travel document applicants.

Question 1. Country from which you are a refugee or asylee – enter the country from which you were granted refugee or asylum status.

If you answer “Yes” to any of the following questions, you must explain on a separate sheet of paper. Include your Name and A-number on the top of each sheet.

Question 2. Do you plan to travel to the country named above? – Answer “Yes” or “No”.

Since you were accorded refugee/asylee status, have you ever:

3.a. Returned to the country named above? – Answer “Yes” or “No”.

3.b. Applied for and/or obtained a national passport, passport renewal, or entry permit of that country? – Answer “Yes” or “No”.

3.c. Applied for and/or received any benefit from such a country (for example, health insurance benefits)? – Answer “Yes” or “No”.

Since you were accorded refugee/asylee status, have you, by any legal procedure or voluntary act:

Question 4.a. Reacquired the nationality of the country named above? – Answer “Yes” or “No”.

Question 4.b. Acquired a new nationality? – Answer “Yes” or “No”.

Question 4.c. Been granted refugee or asylee status in any other country? – Answer “Yes” or “No”.

IMPORTANT: if you answer “Yes” to any of the above Questions 2 – 4.c., not only you must provide a written explanation on a separate sheet but also the US government might terminate your refugee/asylee status if you have traveled to the country from which you were granted refugee/asylee status, obtained a passport of that country, used the government benefits, etc. Moreover, most refugee travel document holders are questioned prior to leaving the US and at the time they return to the US after a trip abroad.

Part 7. Complete Only If Applying for Advance Parole

This section must be completed by Advance Parole applicants only. If you are applying for a reentry permit or refugee travel document, skip this section.

Question 1 – How many trips do you intend to use this document? – “More than one trip” should generally be selected. 

If the person intended to receive an Advance Parole Document is outside the United States, provide the location (City or Town and Country) of the U.S. Embassy or consulate or the DHS overseas office that you want us to notify – If you are applying for an Advance Parole Document based on I-485 application, skip Questions 2.a.-4.j.

If the person applying for an Advance Parole Document is located abroad, enter the city and country of the US Embassy or Consulate where that individual wants to pick up their Advance Parole document (generally, in country of their residence):

Question 2.a. City or Town – enter the city where a US Embassy/Consulate is located.

Question 2.b. Country – enter the country where a US Embassy/Consulate is located.

If the travel document will be delivered to an overseas office, where should the notice to pick up the document be sent?:

Question 3. To the address shown in Part 2 (2.h. through 2.p.) of this form – select this box if you want the notice to pick up the Advance Parole document to be sent to the address you provided in Part 2.

Question 4. To the address shown in Part 7 (4.a.through 4.i.) of this form – select this box if you want the notice to pick up the Advance Parole document to be sent to an address you provide in Questions 4.a. – 4.j.

Skip Questions 3 and 4 if you are applying for an Advance Parole Document based on I-485 application. 

Part 8. Employment Authorization Document for New Period of Parole Under Operation Allies Welcome

This section must be completed only by applicants who were previously paroled into the US under the Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) and are renewing their period of parole. All other applicants can skip this section.

Question 1. I am requesting an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) upon approval of my new Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) period of parole – Answer “Yes” if you want to obtain an Employment Authorization Document.

Part 9. Signature of Applicant

1.a. Signature of Applicant – Sign the form in ink. Stamped or computer-generated signatures are not accepted.

1.b.  Date of Signature – Enter the date in mm/dd/yyyy format.

2. Daytime Phone Number – Enter your mobile phone number here. 

Part 10. Information about Person Who Prepared This Application, if Other Than the Applicant

Part 9 is completed by entering the preparer’s full name, company name (if applicable), mailing address, daytime telephone number, and email address (if any). The preparer must sign and date the application in items 6.a. and 6.b.

If you prepared the form yourself, leave this section blank.

Form I-131 processing time

The processing times for Form I-131 can vary based on several factors, including the USCIS service center where the application is filed, type of travel document and the overall caseload:

• Reentry Permit or Refugee Travel document: it can take 17.5 months to get these applications processed;
• Advance Parole:  the processing time depends on the USCIS service center reviewing your application:
  • California Service Center: 15 months
  • National Benefits Center: 9.5 months
  • Nebraska Service Center: 5.5 months
  • Texas Service Center: 18 months
  • Vermont Service Center: 9 months

You cannot choose the USCIS service center, the filing locations might depend on the type of travel document being requested, your state of residence and USCIS internal policies.

The processing times are estimates, and actual processing times may vary.

To check the current processing times for Form I-131, you can visit the USCIS website’s Processing Times page and choose Form I-131, type of travel document and the specific service center that is processing your application.

You can find the USCIS Service Center in the lower left corner of your I-131 receipt notice.

Related Links:

Form I-131 – How to Apply for a Travel Document