Instructions for Application for Travel Document

Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS

 Form I-131

OMB No. 1615-0013

Expires 02/28/2027

Form I-131 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 1 of 16

What Is the Purpose of This Form?

This form is for applying to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the following travel documents:

1. Reentry Permit

A Reentry Permit allows a lawful permanent resident or conditional permanent resident to apply for admission to the 

United States upon returning from abroad during the permit’s validity without the need to obtain a returning resident 

visa from a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate.

2. Refugee Travel Document

A Refugee Travel Document is issued to an individual in valid refugee or asylee status, or to a lawful permanent 

resident who obtained such status as a refugee or asylee in the United States. Individuals who hold asylee or refugee 

status and are not lawful permanent residents must have a Refugee Travel Document to return to the United States 

after travel abroad unless they possess an Advance Parole Document. A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 

officer at the U.S. port-of-entry will determine your admissibility when you present your travel document.

3. Advance Parole Document for Individuals Who Are Currently in the United States

Parole allows an alien to physically enter into the United States for a specific purpose. An individual who has been 

“paroled” has not been admitted to the United States and remains an “applicant for admission” even while paroled.

DHS, as a matter of discretion, may issue an Advance Parole Document to authorize an alien to appear at a port-ofentry to seek parole into the United States. The document may be accepted by a transportation company in lieu of a 

visa as an authorization for the holder to travel to the United States. An Advance Parole Document is not issued to 

serve in place of any required passport.

WARNING: The document does not entitle you to be paroled into the United States; a separate discretionary 

decision on a request for parole will be made when you arrive at a port-of-entry upon your return.

WARNING: DHS may revoke or terminate your Advance Parole Document at any time, including while you are 

outside the United States, in which event you may be unable to return to the United States unless you have a valid visa 

or other document that permits you to travel to the United States and seek admission.

NOTE: Generally, if you are in the United States and have applied for adjustment of status to that of a lawful 

permanent resident, your application will be deemed abandoned if you leave the United States without first obtaining 

an Advance Parole Document. Your application for adjustment of status generally will not be deemed abandoned, 

even if you do not apply for an Advance Parole Document before traveling abroad while an adjustment application is 

pending, if you currently are in one of the following nonimmigrant classifications, and remain eligible for and would 

be admissible in one of the following categories upon applying for admission at a port-of-entry:

a. An H-1 temporary worker, or H-4 spouse or child of an H-1;

b. An L-1 intracompany transferee, or L-2 spouse or child of an L-1;

c. A K-3 spouse, or K-4 child of a U.S. citizen; or

d. A V-1 spouse, or V-2/V-3 child of a lawful permanent resident.
Form I-131 Instructions 06/06/23 E Page 2 of 16

NOTE: Upon returning to the United States, most individuals must present a valid H, L, K, or V nonimmigrant visa 

and must continue to be otherwise admissible. If you do not have a valid or unexpired H, L, K, or V nonimmigrant 

visa, then you generally need to obtain an H, L, K, or V nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. Department of State (DOS) visa 

issuing post. Individuals will need a valid nonimmigrant visa, advance parole, or other travel document to present for 

reentry.

4. Advance Parole Document for Individuals Outside the United States

The granting of an Advance Parole Document for individuals outside the United States is an extraordinary measure 

used sparingly to allow an otherwise inadmissible alien to travel to the United States and to seek parole into the 

United States for a temporary period of time due to urgent humanitarian reasons or for significant public benefit 

(significant public benefit parole is typically limited to law enforcement or homeland security-related reasons). An 

Advance Parole Document cannot be used to circumvent normal visa-issuance procedures and is not a means to 

bypass delays in visa issuance.

5. Advance Permission to Travel for CNMI Long-Term Residents

A grant of Advance Permission to Travel for CNMI Long-Term Residents, who are otherwise not permitted to 

travel to the rest of the United States, allows them to travel to any other part of the United States for temporary 

and legitimate purposes without automatically terminating their CNMI long-term resident status. CNMI long-term 

residents must obtain advance permission before departing the CNMI to travel to any other part of the United States 

(including Guam). Any travel in violation of these restrictions will result in the automatic termination of status. 

Travel to or from a foreign place through a direct transit in Guam does not require advance permission. 

Who May File Form I-131?

Each applicant must file a separate application for a travel document.

NOTE: Do not file Form I-131 if you are seeking release from immigration custody and you want to remain in the United 

States as a parolee. You should contact ICE about your request. 

1. Reentry Permit

a. If you are in the United States as a lawful permanent resident or conditional permanent resident, you may apply 

for a Reentry Permit. You must be physically present in the United States when you file the Reentry Permit 

application and complete the biometrics services requirement. After filing your application for a Reentry Permit, 

USCIS will inform you in writing when to go to your local Application Support Center (ASC) for your biometrics 

services appointment. (See Item Number 3. Biometrics Services Requirement in the General Requirements

section of these Instructions.)

NOTE: A Reentry Permit may be sent to a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or DHS office abroad for you to pick 

up, if you make such a request when you file your application.

With the exception of having to obtain a returning resident visa abroad, a Reentry Permit does not exempt you 

from compliance with any of the requirements of U.S. immigration laws. If you are in possession of a valid, 

unexpired Reentry Permit, you will not be deemed to have abandoned your status as a lawful permanent resident 

or conditional permanent resident based solely on the duration of your absences from the United States while the 

permit is valid.

An absence from the United States for 1 year or more will generally break the continuity of your required 

continuous residence for the purpose of naturalization. If you intend to remain outside the United States for 

1 year or more, you may be eligible to file Form N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization 

Purposes. For further information, contact your local USCIS office.
Form I-131 Instructions 06/06/23 E Page 3 of 16

b. Validity of Reentry Permit

(1) Generally, a Reentry Permit issued to a lawful permanent resident is valid for 2 years from the date of 

issuance. See 8 CFR section 223.3(a)(1). However, if you have been outside the United States for more than 

4 of the last 5 years since becoming a lawful permanent resident, the permit will be limited to 1 year, except 

that a permit with a validity of 2 years may be issued to the following:

(a) A lawful permanent resident whose travel is on the order of the U.S. Government, other than an exclusion, 

deportation, removal, or rescission order;

(b) A lawful permanent resident employed by a public international organization of which the United States 

is a member by treaty or statute; or

(c) A lawful permanent resident who is a professional athlete and regularly competes in the United States and 

worldwide.

(2) A Reentry Permit issued to a conditional permanent resident is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance, or 

to the date the conditional permanent resident must apply for removal of the conditions on his or her status, 

whichever date comes first.

(3) A Reentry Permit may not be extended.

c. A Reentry Permit may not be issued to you if:

(1) You have already been issued such a document, and it is still valid, unless the prior document has been 

returned to USCIS or you can demonstrate that it was lost; or

(2) A notice was published in the Federal Register that precludes the issuance of such a document for travel to the 

area where you intend to go.

NOTICE to lawful permanent or conditional permanent residents concerning possible abandonment 

of status: If you do not obtain a Reentry Permit, lengthy or frequent absences from the United States could 

be factors supporting a conclusion that you have abandoned your lawful permanent resident status. If DHS 

determines, upon your return to the United States, that you have abandoned your lawful permanent resident 

status, you may challenge that determination if you are placed in removal proceedings.

2. Refugee Travel Document

a. If you are in the United States in valid refugee or asylee status, or if you are a lawful permanent resident as a 

direct result of your refugee or asylee status in the United States, you may apply for a Refugee Travel Document. 

You should apply for a Refugee Travel Document BEFORE you leave the United States. If biometrics services 

are required and you fail to appear to have the biometrics collected, the application may be denied.

After filing your application for a Refugee Travel Document, USCIS will inform you in writing when to go to your 

local USCIS ASC for your biometrics services appointment. Unless you have other appropriate documentation, 

such as a Permanent Resident Card and passport, you must have a Refugee Travel Document to return to the 

United States after temporary travel abroad. A Refugee Travel Document may be sent to a U.S. Embassy, U.S. 

Consulate, or DHS office abroad for you to pick up, if you request it when you file your application.

b. If you are outside of the United States and:

(1) Have valid refugee or asylee status; or

(2) You are a lawful permanent resident as a direct result of your refugee or asylee status in the United States, you 

may be permitted to file Form I-131 and apply for a Refugee Travel Document. The USCIS Overseas District 

Director with jurisdiction over your location makes this decision in his or her discretion.

Your application must be filed within 1 year of your last departure from the United States and should include 

an explanation of why you failed to apply for a Refugee Travel Document before you departed from the 

United States.
Form I-131 Instructions 06/06/23 E Page 4 of 16

Travel Warning Regarding Voluntary Re-availment

WARNING to asylees who travel to the country of claimed persecution: If you applied for asylum on or 

after April 1, 1997, your asylum status may be terminated if the U.S. Government determines that you have 

voluntarily availed yourself of the protection of your country of nationality or, if stateless, country of last 

habitual residence. See section 208(c)(2)(D) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 USC 

1158(c)(2)(D).

c. Validity of Refugee Travel Document

(1) A Refugee Travel Document is valid for 1 year.

(2) A Refugee Travel Document may not be extended.

d. A Refugee Travel Document may not be issued to you if:

(1) You have already been issued such a document and it is still valid, unless the prior document has been 

returned to USCIS or you can demonstrate that it was lost; or

(2) A notice was published in the Federal Register that precludes the issuance of such a document for travel to the 

area where you intend to go.

NOTE: You should apply for a Refugee Travel Document before you leave the United States. However, a 

Refugee Travel Document may be sent to a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or DHS office abroad for you to pick 

up, if you make such a request when you file your application. Departure from the United States before a decision 

is made on the application usually does not affect the application decision. However, if biometrics collection is 

required and the applicant departs the United States before biometrics are collected, the application may be denied.

NOTICE to lawful permanent residents who obtain permanent residence as a result of their refugee or 

asylee status: If you do not obtain a Reentry Permit (see Item 1. Reentry Permit above) and remain outside the 

United States, lengthy or frequent absences from the United States could be factors supporting a conclusion that 

you have abandoned your lawful permanent resident status. With the exception of having to obtain a returning 

resident visa abroad, a Reentry Permit does not exempt you from compliance with any of the requirements of 

U.S. immigration laws. If you are in possession of a valid unexpired Reentry Permit, you will not be deemed to 

have abandoned your status as a lawful permanent resident or conditional permanent resident based solely on the 

duration of your absences from the United States while the permit is valid.

An absence from the United States for 1 year or more will generally break the continuity of your required 

continuous residence for purpose of naturalization. If you intend to remain outside the United States for 1 year 

or more, you may be eligible to file Form N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes. 

For further information, contact your local USCIS office.

If DHS determines, upon your return to the United States, that you have abandoned your lawful permanent 

resident status, you may challenge that determination if you are placed in removal proceedings, and seek a 

determination whether you may retain asylum status even if you cannot retain lawful permanent resident status.

3. Advance Parole Document for Individuals Who Are Currently in the United States

If any of the items listed under Item a. below apply to you, select Item Number 1.d. in Part 2. of the form. 

a. If you are in the United States and seek an Advance Parole Document, you may apply if:

(1) You have a pending application to adjust status, Form I-485, and you seek to travel abroad temporarily 

for “urgent humanitarian reasons” or in furtherance of a “significant public benefit,” which may include a 

personal or family emergency or bona fide business reasons.

(2) You have a pending application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) (Form I-821), have been granted TPS, 

or have been granted T or U nonimmigrant status. Whether you are permitted to retain TPS upon your return 

will depend on whether you continue to meet the requirements for TPS. If you have TPS and leave and 

reenter the United States during the validity period of your Advance Parole Document, you will not break the 

continuous physical presence requirement for maintaining your TPS.
Form I-131 Instructions 06/06/23 E Page 5 of 16

Important: If you have a TPS or other application pending and you leave the United States on advance 

parole, you may miss important notices from USCIS regarding your application, including requests for 

additional evidence. If you do not respond timely to these notices, USCIS may deem your application 

abandoned and, in that event, you will not receive the benefit you seek. It is very important that you make 

appropriate arrangements to ensure that you do not miss any such important notices.

(3) You have been granted parole pursuant to INA section 212(d)(5), AND you seek to travel abroad temporarily 

for urgent humanitarian reasons or in furtherance of a significant public benefit. Humanitarian reasons 

include travel to obtain medical treatment, attend funeral services for a family member, or visit an ailing 

relative.

(4) USCIS or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deferred action in your case as a childhood 

arrival based on the guidelines described in the Secretary of Homeland Security’s memorandum issued on 

June 15, 2012 (“Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” (DACA)). USCIS may, in its discretion, grant 

advance parole if you are traveling outside the United States for educational purposes, employment purposes, 

or humanitarian purposes.

(a) Educational purposes include, but are not limited to, semester abroad programs or academic research;

(b) Employment purposes include, but are not limited to, overseas assignments, interviews, conferences, 

training, or meetings with clients; and

(c) Humanitarian purposes include, but are not limited to, travel to obtain medical treatment, attend funeral 

services for a family member, or visit an ailing relative.

NOTE: Travel for vacation is not a valid purpose. You must NOT file Form I-131 with your deferred action 

request or your package will be rejected and returned to you.

(5) USCIS has granted you IMMACT 90 or LIFE Act Family Unity Program benefits, AND you seek to travel 

abroad temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or in furtherance of a significant public benefit, which 

may include a personal or family emergency or bona fide business reasons.

(6) You have a pending application for temporary resident status pursuant to INA section 245A, and you seek 

to travel abroad temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or in furtherance of a significant public benefit, 

which may include a personal or family emergency or bona fide business reasons.

(7) You have been granted V nonimmigrant status in the United States, AND you seek to travel abroad 

temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or in furtherance of a significant public benefit, which may 

include a personal or family emergency or bona fide business reasons.

b. Travel Warning

Before you apply for an Advance Parole Document, read the following travel warning carefully.

For any kind of Advance Parole Document provided to you while you are in the United States:

(1) Leaving the United States, even with an Advance Parole Document, may impact your ability to return to the 

United States.

(2) If you use an Advance Parole Document to leave and return to a port-of-entry in the United States, you will, 

upon your return, be an “applicant for admission.”

(3) As an applicant for admission, you will be subject to inspection at a port-of-entry, and you may not be 

admitted if you are found to be inadmissible under any applicable provision of INA section 212(a) or 235 or 

any other provision of U.S. law regarding denial of admission to the United States. If DHS determines that 

you are inadmissible, you may be subject to expedited removal proceedings or to removal proceedings before 

an immigration judge, as authorized by law and regulations.

(4) As noted above, issuance of an Advance Parole Document does NOT entitle you to parole and does not 

guarantee that DHS will parole you into the United States upon your return.
Form I-131 Instructions 06/06/23 E Page 6 of 16

(5) As noted above, DHS will make a separate discretionary decision whether to parole you each time you use an 

Advance Parole Document to return to the United States.

(6) If, upon your return, you are paroled into the United States, you will remain an applicant for admission.

(7) As noted above, DHS may revoke or terminate your Advance Parole Document at any time, including while 

you are outside the United States. Even if you have already been paroled, upon your return to the United 

States, DHS may also revoke or terminate your parole in accordance with 8 CFR 212.5.

If you are outside the United States, revocation or termination of your Advance Parole Document may 

preclude you from returning to the United States unless you have a valid visa or other document that permits 

you to travel to the United States and seek admission.

(8) If you are in the United States when DHS revokes or terminates your parole, you will be an unparoled 

applicant for admission, and may be subject to removal as an applicant for admission who is inadmissible 

under INA section 212, rather than as an admitted alien who is deportable under INA section 237. In addition 

to the above, if you received deferred action under DACA, you should also be aware of the following:

(a) Even after USCIS has deferred action in your case under DACA, you should not travel outside the United 

States unless USCIS has approved your application for an Advance Parole Document. USCIS may 

terminate deferred action in your case, and your ability to renew DACA may be adversely impacted, if 

you travel outside the United States without obtaining an Advance Parole Document from USCIS.

(b) If you obtain an Advance Parole Document in connection with a decision to defer removal in your case 

under DACA and if, upon your return, you are paroled into the United States, your case will generally 

continue to be deferred. The deferral will continue until the date specified by USCIS or ICE in the 

deferral notice given to you or until the decision to defer removal action in your case has been terminated, 

whichever is earlier.

(c) If you have been ordered excluded, deported, or removed, departing from the United States without 

having had your exclusion, deportation, or removal proceedings reopened and administratively closed or 

terminated will result in your being considered excluded, deported, or removed, even if USCIS or ICE has 

deferred action in your case under DACA and you have been granted advance parole.

c. If you are in the United States and seek an Advance Parole Document, a document may not be issued to you 

if: 

(1) You hold a nonimmigrant status, such as J-1, that is subject to the 2-year foreign residence requirement as a 

result of that status. Exception: If you are someone who was subject to this requirement but are now eligible 

to apply for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident, USCIS may consider your application for 

advance parole; or

(2) You are in exclusion, deportation, removal, or rescission proceedings, unless you have received deferred 

action under DACA. You may, however, request parole from ICE. See NOTE below.

d. If you depart from the United States before the Advance Parole Document is issued, your application for an 

Advance Parole Document will be considered abandoned.

NOTE: Do not use this form if you are seeking release from immigration custody and you want to 

remain in the United States as a parolee. You should contact your local ICE office about your request 

(www.ice.gov/contact/ero).

4. Advance Parole Document for Individuals Outside the United States

a. If you or someone else is outside the United States and needs to visit the United States temporarily for an 

urgent humanitarian reason or for significant public benefit:
Form I-131 Instructions 06/06/23 E Page 7 of 16

(1) You may apply for an Advance Parole Document if you cannot obtain the necessary visa and any required 

waiver of inadmissibility or consent to reapply for admission. Under these conditions, an Advance Parole 

Document is granted on a case-by-case basis for a temporary period of time, according to any conditions that 

may be placed on parole.

(2) An individual in the United States may file this application on your behalf. This individual must complete 

Part 1. of the form with information about himself or herself.

(3) If you were paroled into the United States when you arrived with an Advanced Parole Document, and need to 

remain in the United States beyond the authorized parole period to accomplish the purpose for which parole 

was approved, you must file a new Form I-131 with all supporting documentation to request a new parole 

authorization and type or print REPAROLE in capital letters at the top of the new Form I-131.

b. An Advance Parole Document may also be granted to qualified individuals outside the United States as part 

of the Filipino WWII Veterans Parole (FWVP) Program.

If the Item applies to you, type or print FWVP Program at the top of Form I-131 and check box 1.f. under 

Part 2. of the form.

NOTE: A derivative beneficiary can only receive benefits if the principal beneficiary receives benefits. A 

separate application for each individual principal and derivative beneficiary is required. Applications for a 

principal beneficiary and any of his or her derivative beneficiaries must be submitted in one package when mailed 

to USCIS.

(1) Filipino WWII Veterans Parole (FWVP) Program. Under the FWVP program, USCIS offers certain 

beneficiaries of family-based immigrant petitions, approved on or before the date the request for advance 

parole is filed, an opportunity to seek, on a case-by-case basis, a discretionary grant of parole into the 

United States before their immigrant visas become available, rather than remain in another country awaiting 

availability of their immigrant visas. An invitation is not needed to apply for parole under this program. 

You may apply for parole on behalf of your family members under this program if: 

(a) You are living in the United States and are either a Filipino World War II veteran, as defined by section 

405 of IMMACT 90, as amended, or the surviving spouse of such individual;

(b) You have filed a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for a family member whose visa is not yet 

available (as indicated in the Application Final Action Dates chart in the Department of State’s Visa 

Bulletin), and whose Form I-130 petition was approved on or before the date your request for advance 

parole under the FWVP program is filed; and

(c) Your qualifying relationship with your family member existed on or before May 9, 2016.

NOTE: If you are the surviving spouse of a Filipino World War II veteran, you may only apply for parole 

under the FWVP program on behalf of a child, son, or daughter who is also the child, son, or daughter of 

the Filipino World War II veteran. You may apply for parole under the FWVP program on behalf of such 

individuals, even if the approved Form I-130 on which they are beneficiaries had been filed by the deceased 

veteran, as long as that Form I-130 was reinstated by USCIS.

NOTE: If the Filipino World War II veteran and his or her spouse are both deceased, certain beneficiaries of 

an approved Form I-130 that was automatically revoked and which USCIS reinstated, may apply for parole 

under this program on their own behalf.

NOTE: Additional information regarding eligibility under the terms of the FWVP program is described 

under “Filipino WWII Veterans Parole Program” at www.uscis.gov/FWVP.

5. Advance Permission to Travel for CNMI Long-Term Residents 

If this applies to you, type or print CNMI LONG-TERM RESIDENT TRAVEL at the top of Form I-131 and DO 

NOT check a box in Part 2. of the form.
Form I-131 Instructions 06/06/23 E Page 8 of 16

NOTE: Failure to indicate CNMI LONG-TERM RESIDENT TRAVEL on the top of the form may result in 

the rejection of your application.

a. If you have been granted CNMI long-term resident status pursuant to Public Law 116-24, Northern Mariana 

Islands Long-Term Legal Residents Relief Act (48 U.S.C. 1806(e)(6)), you may apply for Advance Permission 

to Travel for CNMI Long-Term Residents. 

If you are in the CNMI and you have been granted CNMI long-term resident status, you must obtain advance 

permission before departing the CNMI to travel to any other part of the United States (including Guam). Travel to 

or from a foreign place through a direct transit in Guam does not require advance permission.

b. To request advance permission to travel, you must file Form I-131, in accordance with the filing instructions 

contained in this document. 

Along with your completed Form I-131, and proof of CNMI long-term resident status, you must also include a 

statement describing: 

(1) The purpose(s) of your intended travel;

(2) The specific dates of your trip; and

(3) Travel destination(s).

Please include with your statement any supporting documentation you wish USCIS to consider in deciding your 

request.

c. Travel Warnings

If you travel to Guam (not in direct transit between the CNMI and a foreign place) or elsewhere in the United 

States without advance permission, your status will be automatically terminated and you may be subject to 

removal from the United States.

If you travel to Guam (not in direct transit between the CNMI and a foreign place) or elsewhere in the United 

States in violation of any other restrictions regarding the dates, destination(s), or purpose(s) of your travel, your 

status will be automatically terminated and you may be subject to removal from the United States.

Generally, the approval will not exceed six months. Advance permission to travel may be valid for one entry, or 

multiple entries, depending on the stated purpose(s). 

6. Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) Employment Authorization

Applicants who were previously paroled under the Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) program and are applying for 

a new period of parole, may request initial or renewed employment authorization and an employment authorization 

document (EAD) by selecting “Yes” or “No” in Part 8., Item Number 1. The EAD will not be issued until the new 

OAW period of parole is approved and will not be issued at all if the new parole period is denied. OAW applicants 

who request employment authorization as part of the USCIS Form I-131 are not required to file USCIS Form I-765, 

Application for Employment Authorization. Applicants who wish to request a social security number and/or a social 

security card must contact the Social Security Administration.

General Instructions

We provide free forms through the USCIS website. To view, print, or complete our forms, you should use the latest 

version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not have internet 

access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center and ask that we mail a form to you. 
Form I-131 Instructions 06/06/23 E Page 9 of 16

Signature. You (or your signing authority) must properly complete your application. USCIS will not accept a 

stamped or typewritten name in place of any signature on this application. If you are under 14 years of age, your 

parent or legal guardian may sign the application on your behalf. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally 

incompetent person. If your application is not signed, or if the signature is not valid, we will reject your application. 

See 8 CFR 103.2(a)(7)(ii)(A). If USCIS accepts a request for adjudication and determines that it has a deficient signature, 

USCIS may deny the request. 

Validity of Signatures. USCIS will consider a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of an original handwritten signature 

as valid for filing purposes. The photocopy, fax, or scan must be of the original document containing the handwritten ink 

signature. 

Filing Fee. See Form G-1055, available at www.uscis.gov/forms, for specific information about the fees applicable to 

this form.

Evidence. When you file your application, you must submit all evidence and supporting documents listed in these 

Instructions. 

Biometrics Services Appointment. USCIS may require you to appear for an interview or provide biometrics 

(fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature) at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct 

background and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of 

Investigation (FBI), before making a decision on your application or petition. If we determine that a biometric services 

appointment is necessary, we will send you an appointment notice with the date, time, and location of your appointment. 

If you are currently overseas, your notice will instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or USCIS office 

outside the United States to schedule an appointment. 

At your biometrics appointment, you must sign an oath reaffirming that: 

1. You provided or authorized all information in the application;

2. You reviewed and understood all of the information contained in, and submitted with, your application; and

3. All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing.

If you do not attend your biometric services appointment, we may deny your application.

Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of requested documents unless the Instructions specifically instruct you to 

submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at any time during our process. If we request an 

original document from you, we will return it to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs the original. 

NOTE: If you submit original documents when they are not required or requested, USCIS may destroy them after we 

receive them.

Translations. If you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit a full English 

translation. The translator must sign a certification that the English language translation is complete and accurate, and that 

they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The certification must also include their signature, 

printed name, the signature date, and their contact information.

USCIS Contact Center. For additional information on the application and Instructions about where to file, change of 

address, and other questions, visit the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter or call at 800-375-5283

(TTY 800-767-1833). The USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish. 

Disability Accommodations/Modifications. To request a disability accommodation/modification, follow the instructions 

on your appointment notice or at www.uscis.gov/accommodationsinfo.

How To Complete Form I-131

1. Type or print legibly in black ink.
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2. If you need extra space to complete any item within this application, attach a separate sheet of paper. Type or print 

your name and Alien Registration Number (A-Number) (if any) at the top of each sheet; indicate the Page Number, 

Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer refers; and sign and date each sheet.

3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. If a question does not apply to you (for example, if you have never been 

married and the question asks, “Provide the name of your current spouse”), type or print “N/A” unless otherwise 

directed. If your answer to a question which requires a numeric response is zero or none (for example, “How many 

children do you have” or “How many times have you departed the United States”), type or print “None” unless 

otherwise directed.

4. USCIS Online Account Number. You will only have a USCIS Online Account Number (OAN) if you previously 

filed a form that has a receipt number that begins with IOE. If you filed the form online, you can find your OAN in 

your account profile. If you mailed us the form, you can find your OAN at the top of the Account Access Notice we 

sent you. If you do not have a receipt number that begins with IOE, you do not have an OAN. The OAN is not the 

same as an A-Number.

5. Country of Birth and Country of Citizenship. Part 1., Item Numbers 4. - 5., and (if applicable), Part 2., Item 

Numbers 2.e. and 2.f. Provide the name of the country of your birth and the name of the country of your citizenship. 

Use the current names of the country of your birth and country of your citizenship. If you do not have citizenship in 

any country, type or print “stateless” and provide an explanation on a separate sheet of paper. Type or print your name 

and A-Number (if any) at the top of this sheet and indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to 

which your answer refers; and sign and date the sheet.

General Requirements

1. Initial Evidence

All applications must include a copy of an official photo identity document showing your photo, name, and 

date of birth. (Examples: Your current Employment Authorization Document, if available; a valid governmentissued driver’s license; passport identity page; Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card; or any other official identity 

document.) The copy must clearly show the photo and identity information. Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record 

is not acceptable as a photo identity document.

You must file your application with all required evidence. Not submitting required evidence will delay the issuance 

of the document you are requesting. USCIS may request additional information or evidence or may request that 

you appear at a USCIS office for an interview or for fingerprinting. (See Item 3. Biometric Services Requirement 

below).

If you are applying for:

a. Reentry Permit

You must attach:

(1) A copy of the front and back of your Form I-551; or

(2) If you have not yet received 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; or

(3) 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.

b. Refugee Travel Document

You must attach a copy of the document issued to you by USCIS showing your refugee or asylee status and the 

expiration date of such status.
Form I-131 Instructions 06/06/23 E Page 11 of 16

c. Advance Parole Document for Individuals Who Are Currently in the United States

If you are in the United States, you must attach:

(1) A copy of any document issued to you by USCIS showing your present status, if any, in the United States; and

(2) An explanation or other evidence showing the circumstances that warrant issuance of an Advance Parole 

Document; or

(3) If you are an applicant for adjustment of status, a copy of a USCIS receipt as evidence that you filed the 

adjustment application; or

(4) If you are traveling to Canada to apply for an immigrant visa, a copy of the U.S. consular appointment letter; 

or

(5) If USCIS has deferred action in your case under DACA, you must include a copy of the Form I-797, Notice 

of Action, showing that the decision on your Form I-821D was to defer action in your case. If ICE deferred 

action in your case under DACA, submit a copy of the approval order, notice or letter issued by ICE.

You must complete Part 4. of the form indicating how your intended travel fits within 1 of the 3 

purposes below. You must also provide evidence of your reason for travel outside of the United States 

including the dates of travel and the expected duration outside the United States. If your advance parole 

application is approved, the validity dates of your Advance Parole Document will be for the duration of the 

documented need for travel. Below are examples of acceptable evidence:

Educational Purposes

(a) A letter from a school employee acting in an official capacity describing the purpose of the travel and 

explaining why travel is required or beneficial; or

(b) A document showing enrollment in an educational program requiring travel.

Employment Purposes

A letter from your employer or a conference host describing the need for the travel.

Humanitarian Purposes

(a) A letter from your physician explaining the nature of your medical condition, the specific medical 

treatment to be sought outside of the United States, and a brief explanation why travel outside the U.S. is 

medically necessary; or

(b) Documentation of a family member’s serious illness or death.

d. Advance Parole Document for Individuals Outside the United States

(1) If you are applying for an Advance Parole Document for an individual who is outside the United States under 

the FWVP Program, you must attach:

(i) A copy of your Form I-797, Notice of Action, indicating approval of your Form I-130, or printout 

from Case Status Online, which shows an approved Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, filed by 

the Filipino veteran or the surviving spouse, for your family member;

(ii) Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, completed as directed in the Form I-134 instructions;

(iii) Evidence that the Filipino veteran’s World War II military service was previously recognized by the 

U.S. Army as defined by section 405 of the Immigration Act of 1990, as amended; and

(iv) If you are the surviving spouse of the Filipino World War II veteran: evidence of your marriage, and a 

copy of the veteran’s death certificate.
Form I-131 Instructions 06/06/23 E Page 12 of 16

NOTE: If you wish to apply for a child who is the derivative beneficiary of an approved Form I-130 

petition, he or she must be under 21 years of age and unmarried on the date USCIS receives the FWVP 

program application you file on his or her behalf and otherwise satisfy the definition of “child” as defined 

by INA section 203(d). You may only apply for a derivative beneficiary if you are also applying for the 

principal beneficiary on that same approved Form I-130.

NOTE: If you are eligible to self-apply for parole under the FWVP program as described in the Who 

May File Form I-131 section of these Instructions, you must complete documentation described above 

and also submit evidence to establish a qualifying family relationship with the deceased Filipino World 

War II veteran or his or her spouse and evidence of reinstatement by USCIS of your Form I-130.

NOTE: Additional information regarding required documentation is described in “Filipino WWII 

Veterans Parole Program” at www.uscis.gov/FWVP. 

(2) If you are applying for an Advance Parole Document for an individual who is outside the United States (either 

for yourself or another individual), other than under the FWVP Program, you must attach:

(a) A detailed description of the urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reason for which an 

Advance Parole Document is requested, an explanation for the length of time for which parole is 

requested, and copies of evidence that support the basis for your request;

(b) Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, completed as directed in the Form I-134 instructions;

(c) A statement explaining why a U.S. visa cannot be obtained, including when and where attempts were 

made to obtain a visa, or an explanation of why a visa was not sought to enter the United States;

(d) If applicable, a statement explaining why a waiver of inadmissibility cannot be obtained to allow issuance 

of a visa, including when and where attempts were made to obtain a waiver, and a copy of any DHS 

decision on your waiver request, or an explanation of why a waiver has not been sought;

(e) A copy of any decision on an immigrant or non-immigrant petition or application filed for an individual 

seeking to enter the United States, and evidence regarding any pending immigrant or non-immigrant 

petition or application;

(f) In addition to the identity document described in Item 1. Initial Evidence above, unless such document is 

a valid passport:

(i) A copy of the biographical page of the beneficiary’s passport or, if it is not available, an explanation 

why a passport is not available and another government-issued identity document that establishes the 

beneficiary’s citizenship; and

(ii) Copies of the petitioner’s and Form I-134 sponsor’s official identity documents and evidence of their 

citizenship or U.S. immigration status (such as a copy of a U.S. passport, lawful permanent resident 

card, or birth certificate).

NOTE: If a civil document submitted in support of a request for advance parole has annotations on either 

the front or the back of the document, copies of both sides of the document must be submitted.

NOTE: Additional information regarding types of evidence that may be relevant to specific parole requests is 

described under “Humanitarian Parole” at www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/humanitarian-parole.

e. Advance Permission to Travel for CNMI Long-Term Residents

If this applies to you, type or print CNMI LONG-TERM RESIDENT TRAVEL at the top of Form I-131 

and DO NOT check a box in Part 2. of the form.

NOTE: Failure to indicate CNMI LONG-TERM RESIDENT TRAVEL on the top of the form may result 

in the rejection of your application.
Form I-131 Instructions 06/06/23 E Page 13 of 16

You must attach:

(1) A copy of the front and back of your Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) indicating CNMI 

long-term resident status; or

(2) If you have not yet received your Form I-766, a copy of the Form I-797, Notice of Action, indicating your 

CNMI long-term resident status has been approved;

(3) A statement describing the purpose(s) of your intended travel, including the specific dates of your trip and 

travel destination(s); and 

(4) Any supporting documentation you wish USCIS to consider in deciding your request.

2. Photographs

a. If you are outside the United States and filing for a Refugee Travel Document, or if you are in the United 

States and filing for an Advance Parole Document:

You must submit 2 identical color passport-style photographs of yourself taken within 30 days of the filing of this 

application. The photos must have a white to off-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, 

and be unmounted and unretouched.

The photos must be 2 by 2 inches with a full face, frontal view. Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches 

from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, and eye height should measure between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches 

from the top of your eyes to the bottom of the photo. Your head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear 

as required by your religious denomination. Use a pencil or felt pen to lightly print your name and A-Number (if 

any) on the back of the photos.

NOTE: Because of the current USCIS scanning process, if a digital photo is submitted, it must be produced 

from a high-resolution camera that has at least 3.5 mega pixels of resolution.

b. If applying for an Advance Parole Document for individuals outside the United States:

(1) If you are applying for an Advance Parole Document on your own behalf, and you are outside the United 

States, submit photographs with your application.

(2) If you are applying for an Advance Parole Document on behalf of another individual who is outside the 

United States, submit the required photographs of the individual who would be issued the Advance Parole 

Document.

3. Biometrics Services Requirement

a. All applicants for a Refugee Travel Document or a Reentry Permit must complete biometrics at a USCIS 

Application Support Center (ASC) or, if applying for a Refugee Travel Document while outside of the United 

States at an overseas USCIS facility. If you are between ages 14 through 79 and you are applying for a Refugee 

Travel Document or a Reentry Permit, you must also be fingerprinted as part of USCIS biometrics services 

requirement. After you have filed this application, USCIS will notify you in writing of the time and location for 

your biometrics services appointment. Failure to appear to be fingerprinted or for other biometrics services may 

result in a denial of your application.

b. An individual outside the United States who is seeking an Advance Parole Document for humanitarian reasons or 

for significant public benefit, including under the FWVP Program, and who is between ages 14 through 79, must 

be fingerprinted as part of the USCIS biometrics services requirement. Depending on the individual’s location, 

USCIS or the Department of State will advise the location for the biometrics services appointment. 

4. Invalidation of Travel Document

Any travel document obtained by making a materially false representation or concealment in this application will be 

invalid. A travel document will also be invalid if you are ordered removed or deported from the United States.
Form I-131 Instructions 06/06/23 E Page 14 of 16

In addition, a Refugee Travel Document will be invalid if the United Nations Convention of July 28, 1951, shall cease 

to apply or shall not apply to you as provided in Articles 1C, D, E, or F of the Convention.

5. Expedite Request Instructions

To request expedited processing of an application for a Reentry Permit, a Refugee Travel Document, or an Advance 

Parole Document for an individual outside the United States, type or print the word EXPEDITE in the top right corner 

of the application in black ink. USCIS recommends that you provide e-mail addresses and a fax number with any 

expedite request for a Reentry Permit, Refugee Travel Document, or Advance Parole Document.

Include a written explanation of the reason for the request to expedite with any supporting evidence available. The 

burden is on the applicant to demonstrate that one or more of the expedite criteria have been met. The criteria are as 

follows:

a. Severe financial loss to company or individual;

b. Extreme emergent situation;

c. Humanitarian situation; or

d. Non-profit status of requesting organization in furtherance of the cultural and social interests of the United States 

Department of Defense or National Interest Situation. (Note: The request must come from an official United 

States Government entity and state that a delay will be detrimental to the U.S. Government.)

Where to File?

Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/I-131 for the most current information about where to file this application. 

Address Change

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must notify USCIS of your new address within 10 days of moving from your previous 

residence. For information on changing your address, go to our website at www.uscis.gov/addresschange, or call the 

USCIS Contact Center. 

NOTE: Do not submit a change of address to the USCIS Lockbox.

Processing Information

Initial Processing. Once USCIS accepts your application, we will check it for completeness. If you do not properly 

complete this application, you will not establish a basis for your eligibility and we may reject or deny your application.

Requests for More Information. USCIS may request that you provide more information or evidence to support your 

application. We may also request that you provide the originals of any copies you submit. If we request an original 

document from you, we will return it to you after USCIS determines it is no longer needed.

Requests for Interview. We may request that you appear at a USCIS office for an interview based on your application. 

During your interview, USCIS may require you to provide your biometrics to verify your identity and/or update 

background and security checks. 

Decision. The decision on Form I-131 involves a determination of whether you have established eligibility for the 

immigration benefit you are seeking. USCIS will notify you of our decision in writing.
Form I-131 Instructions 06/06/23 E Page 15 of 16

What If You Claim Nonresident Alien Status on Your Federal Income Tax Return?

If you are an alien who has been admitted as an immigrant or adjusted status to that of an immigrant, and are considering 

the filing of a nonresident alien tax return or the non-filing of a tax return on the ground that you are a nonresident alien, 

you should carefully review the consequences of such actions under the INA.

If you file a nonresident alien tax return or do not file a tax return, you may be regarded as having abandoned residence in 

the United States and as having lost your lawful permanent resident status under the INA. As a consequence, you may be 

ineligible for a visa or other document for which lawful permanent resident aliens are eligible.

You may also be inadmissible to the United States if you seek admission as a returning resident, and you may become 

ineligible for adjustment of status as a lawful permanent resident or naturalization on the basis of your original entry.

USCIS Forms and Information

To ensure you are using the latest version of this form, visit www.uscis.gov. 

Penalties

If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material fact or submit a false document with your Form I-131 and 

may deny any other immigration benefit. In addition, you will face severe penalties provided by law and may be subject 

to criminal prosecution.

DHS Privacy Notice

AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this application, and the associated evidence, is collected under the 

Immigration and Nationality Act sections 103, 208(c)(1)(C), 211, 212(d)(5)(A), 215 and 8 Code of Federal Regulations 

sections 211.1(a)(3-4), 212.5, and 223.1-223.3.

PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this application is to apply for a Reentry 

Permit, Refugee Travel Document, or Advance Parole Document, to include urgent humanitarian reasons or in furtherance 

of a significant public benefit. DHS uses the information you provide to grant or deny the immigration benefit you are 

seeking.

DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, 

including your Social Security number (if applicable), and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision or result in 

denial of your application.

ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this application and any additional requested evidence 

with other Federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved 

routine uses described in the associated published system of records notices [DHS/USCIS/ICE/CBP-001 Alien File, Index, 

and National File Tracking System, DHS/USCIS-007 Benefits Information System, and DHS/USCIS-018 Immigration 

Biometric and Background Check] and the published privacy impact assessments [DHS/USCIS/PIA-016(a) Computer 

Linked Application Information Management System and Associated Systems and DHS/USCIS/PIA-051 Case and Activity 

Management for International Operations], which you can find at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS may also share this 

information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.
Form I-131 Instructions 06/06/23 E Page 16 of 16

Paperwork Reduction Act

USCIS may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and you are not required to respond to a collection of 

information, unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The public 

reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 1.517 hours per response, including the time for 

reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, completing the application, preparing 

statements, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the application. The collection of biometrics is estimated 

to require 1.17 hours. The collection of passport-style photographs is estimated at 0.50 hours. Send comments regarding 

this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, 

to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Policy and Strategy, Regulatory Coordination Division, 5900 

Capital Gateway Drive, Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs, MD 20588-0009; OMB No .1615-0013. Do not mail your 

completed Form I-131 to this address.