How to Apply for a Travel Document?
I-131 Form has the purpose apply for a re-entry permit, refugee travel document or advance parole travel document, to include parole into the U.S. for humanitarian reasons.
You must use this Form I-131 to apply for:
- A re-entry permit;
- Refugee travel document;
- Advance parole travel document;
- Parole into the U.S. for humanitarian reasons;
- Advance permission to travel for CNMI long-term residents.
A re-entry permit enables a lawful permanent resident or conditional permanent resident to apply to be admitted into the U. S., after traveling abroad, without a resident visa from a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate.
If you hold asylee or refugee status and are not lawful permanent residents must have a Refugee Travel Document to return to the United States after traveling abroad unless you possess an Advance Parole Document.
In this case, you must apply for a Refugee Travel Document always before you leave the U. S.
If you file this form to request an advance parole document and depart the United States without having an advance parole document that is valid for the entire time you are abroad, USCIS will consider your Form I-131 abandoned.
If you file this form to request an advance permission to travel for CNMI long-term residents document and depart the CNMI without having an advance permission travel document, your status will automatically terminate by USCIS.
What necessary documents to Form I-131?
You will need the following documents to submit I-131:
- Your application with the filing fee;
- A copy of an official photo identity document showing your photo, name, and date of birth;
- Your current Employment Authorization Document, if available;
- A valid government-issued driver’s license;
- Passport identity page;
- Form I-551;
- Permanent Resident Card or any other official identity document.
Additional Documentation Required for Reentry Permit Application:
- A copy of the front and back of your Form I-551;
- A copy of the biographic pages of your passport and a copy of the visa page showing your initial admission as a lawful permanent resident, or other evidence that you are a lawful permanent resident
- A copy of the Form I-797, Notice of Action, approval notice of an application for replacement of your Form I-551, or temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status.
Don’t forget to complete all sections of the form, USCIS will reject any unsigned form!
I-131 Form Filing Fee Information
The filing fee usually is $ 575,00, but in some cases is necessary to pay for biometrics services an additional cost of $ 85 to apply for a re-entry permit or an advance parole document.
To apply for a refugee travel document (Application Types B and C), the fee is $ 105,00 or $ 135,00 depending on age and in some cases is necessary to pay for biometrics services an additional cost of $ 85 too.
How long does it take for an I-131 to be approved?
Usually, it takes at least three months for USCIS to process your Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.
Can I travel while I-131 is pending?
Some people may have an approved advance parole document while other is pending. You can travel on the approved advanced parole document, provided the document is valid for the time duration abroad. In this case, the pending Form I-131 will not be considered abandoned.
Can I leave the USA after I applied form I-131 and come back for fingerprints?
USCIS usually takes 6-12 months to approve the reentry permit. If you have a valid passport, then you can depart the U.S. after processing the biometrics.
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