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USCISTravel & Parole

Official form guide

Form I-131A: Application for Carrier Documentation

Form I-131A is the Application for Carrier Documentation. It is used to request a boarding foil or travel document that allows a lawful permanent resident to board a carrier when a green card is unavailable.

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Form Overview

USCIS Form I-131A - Application for Carrier Documentation

Form I-131A is the Application for Carrier Documentation. It is used to request a boarding foil or travel document that allows a lawful permanent resident to board a carrier when a green card is unavailable.

Personal identifiers, green‑card number, travel dates, reason for missing card, and a fee payment.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1A single typo in your green‑card number can invalidate the entire application.
  • 2Incorrect green‑card number
  • 3Missing or blurry passport photo
  • 4Fee amount or payment method error
  • 5Wrong mailing address

Plain English

If you are a green‑card holder and need to travel but your card is lost, stolen, or not yet received, you file I‑131A to get a temporary paper document that airlines will accept. The form lets USCIS issue a boarding foil so you can re‑enter the U.S. without delay.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: File before your intended departure; USCIS processing typically takes 2‑4 weeks, so submit well in advance of travel.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

permanentpaymentmissingholderpaperissue

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What this form is for

  • Use when you need a boarding foil because your green card is unavailable.
  • Do not use if you are applying for a re‑entry permit or refugee travel document.
  • Check Form I‑131 (Application for Travel Document) for other travel‑related needs.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Lost green card but need a replacement

Replaces the physical card; longer processing

✓ Verify you actually need a replacement, not just a boarding foil

Form I-90

Refugee or asylee needing travel document

Issues refugee travel document; different eligibility

✓ Confirm refugee/asylee status before using I-131

Form I-131 (Travel Document)

Deadline or filing window

USCIS does not set a hard deadline, but processing takes 2‑4 weeks. File as soon as you know you will travel and your green card will be unavailable. If you have a flight within a week, consider contacting USCIS for expedited processing, though approval is not guaranteed.

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

1

Applicant Information

Full name, A‑Number, DOB · Passport or green‑card copy

⚠ Misspelling of name✕ High
2

Travel Details

Intended departure date, carrier · Flight itinerary

⚠ No date or carrier listed✕ Medium
3

Photo

2×2 passport‑style photo · Recent color photo

⚠ Photo too dark or wrong size✕ High
4

Fee Payment

Check or money order · Bank statement if needed

⚠ Incorrect amount or payee✕ High

Before you submit

  1. 1Use the latest I‑131A edition.
  2. 2Print in black ink on white paper.
  3. 3Complete every required field; no blanks.
  4. 4Attach a clear copy of your green‑card (if you have one).
  5. 5Include a compliant passport‑style photo.
  6. 6Add the correct filing fee in the proper form of payment.
  7. 7Sign the form in the designated box.
  8. 8Mail to the exact address shown in the instructions.
  9. 9Retain the tracking number and a copy of the entire packet.
  10. 10Check USCIS processing times after submission.

How to file this form

  1. 1Download the PDF from USCIS.gov and verify the edition date.
  2. 2Fill out the form by hand in black ink; avoid corrections.
  3. 3Gather supporting documents: green‑card copy, photo, fee payment.
  4. 4Place documents in the order listed in the instructions.
  5. 5Seal the package and address it to the USCIS lockbox for I‑131A.
  6. 6Send via a trackable mail service; keep the receipt.
  7. 7Record the receipt number once USCIS issues a case receipt.

Known limitations

  1. 1No electronic filing option; only paper submission.
  2. 2Form does not grant a permanent replacement card.
  3. 3Processing time varies; no guaranteed expedited service.
  4. 4Only applicable to lawful permanent residents, not other statuses.

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

7 fields

Applicant Info

3 items

Full Legal Name

Your current legal name.

Requiredtext
Date of Birth

MM/DD/YYYY.

Requireddate
A-Number

Alien Registration Number if previously assigned.

text

Details

1 items

Basis for Application

The specific reason or legal basis for filing this form.

Requiredtext

Evidence

1 items

Supporting Documentation

List of documents supporting this application.

Requiredtext

Signatures

2 items

Applicant Signature

Sign under penalty of perjury.

Requiredsignature
Date of Signature

MM/DD/YYYY.

Requireddate
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Current form status
USCIS

Form I‑131A is active and accepted as of the latest USCIS edition. Check the USCIS website for any updates before filing.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Edition date – verify the form is the current version (check USCIS.gov).
  • Fee – confirm the current filing fee and acceptable payment methods.
  • Mailing address – use the address specified for I‑131A in the instructions.
  • Signature line – ensure the applicant signs in ink.
  • Photo specs – 2×2 inches, color, plain background.

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Quick Facts

Lawful permanent residents who lack a valid green card and need to board a carrier to travel abroad.
Personal identifiers, green‑card number, travel dates, reason for missing card, and a fee payment.
File before your intended departure; USCIS processing typically takes 2‑4 weeks, so submit well in advance of travel.
Mail the completed form with payment to the address listed in the I‑131A instructions; electronic filing is not available.
Errors can cause a denial, leaving you unable to board a flight and potentially stranded abroad.
1. Download the latest I‑131A PDF from USCIS.gov. 2. Complete all required fields in black ink. 3. Attach a copy of your green‑card (if available) and a passport‑style photo. 4. Include the filing fee by check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." 5. Mail the package to the address in the instructions and keep the tracking receipt.

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Blank Form I-131A↗Instructions↗

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After you file

  1. 1Watch for the USCIS receipt notice (Form I‑797C).
  2. 2Track case status online using the receipt number.
  3. 3If a Request for Evidence (RFE) arrives, respond within the deadline.
  4. 4When approved, the boarding foil will be mailed to the address on file.
  5. 5Verify the foil’s expiration date matches your travel plans.
  6. 6Keep the receipt and foil together when traveling.
  7. 7If denied, review the denial notice for next steps.

Sources

  • SRCUSCIS Form I‑131A instructionsprovides purpose and filing details.
  • SRCUSCIS websitefee schedule for I‑131A.
  • SRCUSCIS lockbox address listmailing address for I‑131A.
  • SRCProcessing time tabletypical 2‑4 week window.
  • SRCPhoto specifications2×2 inches, color, plain background.
  • SRCNot clearly stated in the provided official sourceelectronic filing availability.
  • SRCNot clearly stated in the provided official sourceexact deadline for filing before travel.

Common confusion points

Boarding foil vs. green‑card replacement

Many think the foil replaces the card permanently

→ Confirm you only need temporary travel permission

Fee amount

Fee changes annually

→ Check current fee on USCIS website before paying

Mailing address

Different lockbox addresses for domestic vs. international senders

→ Use the address listed for your location

Photo requirements

Some applicants use driver’s‑license photos

→ Use a recent passport‑style photo meeting size specs

Signature requirement

Electronic signatures are not accepted

→ Sign with a pen in the designated box

Workflow map

Related forms and next steps

4 signals

Before

Form I-90 (Replace Green Card) | If you need a permanent replacement, not just travel.

Current

I-131A

After

Form I‑797C (Receipt Notice) | Confirms USCIS has received your I‑131A.

Often used with

Form I-131 (Travel Document) | For refugees, asylees, or re‑entry permits.

⚠ If something goes wrong

  • Form I‑290B (Notice of Appeal) | May be filed if I‑131A is denied.

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Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms

Independent guide

BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.

Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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