Instructions For Form I-131 - Application For Travel Document printable pdf download

Instructions for Application for Travel Document

USCIS

Form I-131

Department of Homeland Security

OMB No. 1615-0013

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Expires 12/31/2018

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-of-

entry 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 12/23/16 N

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Instructions For Form I-131 - Application For Travel Document