USCIS

Form I-131

Rev. 04/01/24

Application for Travel Document

Apply for Advance Parole, Reentry Permit, or Refugee Travel Document.

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Plain English

Form I-131 is for travel documents. If you have a pending Green Card application and need to travel abroad, or if you're a permanent resident planning a long trip overseas, this form gets you the document you need to return to the U.S.

Quick Facts

Who: Permanent residents traveling abroad 1+ years (Reentry Permit), individuals with pending adjustment of status (Advance Parole), and refugees/asylees (Refugee Travel Document).
What: Application for multiple travel document types: Advance Parole (travel while I-485 pending), Reentry Permit (LPR travel 1-2 years), or Refugee Travel Document.
When: Advance Parole: file before planned travel. Reentry Permit: file before leaving the U.S. Refugee Travel Document: file as needed.
Where: Filed with USCIS by mail. Processing times vary by document type.
Why: Without proper travel documents, you may be unable to re-enter the U.S. after international travel or may abandon your Green Card application.
How: Select document type, provide personal info, A-Number, travel dates, destination countries, and purpose of trip. Pay fee and submit photos.

Common Risks & Mistakes

  • •Traveling without Advance Parole while I-485 is pending — may abandon the Green Card application
  • •Reentry Permit not issued before U.S. departure — must apply before leaving, not while abroad
  • •Exceeding the 2-year validity of Reentry Permit — extended absence may risk LPR abandonment
  • •Applying for wrong document type — each type has different eligibility and consequences
  • •Not carrying both Advance Parole card and I-485 receipt when re-entering — both may be required

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Field-by-Field Guide

Part 1
Full Legal NameREQUIREDtext

Name as it appears on your immigration documents.

Date of BirthREQUIREDdate

MM/DD/YYYY

A-Numbertext

Alien Registration Number if applicable.

Part 2
Application TypeREQUIREDselect

Select: Reentry Permit (LPR), Refugee Travel Document, Advance Parole (pending I-485), or other.

Proposed Travel DatesREQUIREDdate

Expected departure date and countries you plan to visit.

Purpose of TripREQUIREDtext

Brief description of why you are traveling outside the U.S.

Signature
Applicant SignatureREQUIREDsignature

Sign and date. If under 14, parent or guardian must sign.

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Form Stats

7
Fields
6
Required
3
Sections

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Disclaimer: We do not provide legal advice. We translate legal language into plain English and help you prepare for a conversation with a lawyer.