Form I‑131: Application for Travel Documents — What to Know in 2025

If you’re living in the U.S. on a visa and plan to travel abroad, you may need official permission before leaving the country — and again to return — to avoid jeopardizing your immigration status. Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, is the form you use to request that permission.

What is Form I‑131 (Application for Travel Document)?

Form I-131 is how you request a travel document from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This document allows you to re-enter the country after traveling abroad. Without the proper travel document, you may not be able to return to the U.S.

You’ll need to file Form I-131 if you’re in one of the following situations and plan to travel outside of the United States:

• You’re a lawful permanent resident and plan to be outside the U.S. for a year or more.
• You’re applying for a Green Card (Form I-485) and need to leave the U.S. temporarily while your application is pending.
• You have refugee or asylee status. 
• You have Temporary Protected Status (TPS). 
• Your current nonimmigrant visa stamp has expired and you have a pending adjustment of status (AOS) application.

Form I-131 is also used for special parole programs. For example, you can request humanitarian parole for urgent medical or family travel needs, or parole in place if you’re a qualifying family member of a U.S. military service member and already inside the United States.

If you entered the country without inspection, re-entering on parole could possibly cure that “illegal entry.”

Types of travel documents under the USCIS I‑131 form

USCIS uses the same Form I-131 to issue several different travel documents. The one you need depends on your immigration status and reason for travel:

• Re-entry permit: Green Card holders will need this if they plan to travel outside the U.S. for a year or more.
• Advance Parole: Anyone with a pending Green Card application who plans to travel outside the U.S. needs to request advance parole before leaving the country. An advance parole document allows you to seek re-entry into the country without having to get a new visa. Without advance parole, USCIS will consider your Green Card application abandoned and terminate your application. Keep in mind that even if you get advance parole, it does not guarantee re-entry to the U.S. A Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agent can still decide not to grant you re-entry.
• Refugee travel document: People with refugee or asylee status will need permission to re-enter the U.S. 
• TPS travel authorization: Someone with TPS will need this authorization document to travel abroad and request re-entry while keeping TPS.

Eligibility and requirements for I-131 travel documents

Each of the travel documents you can request through Form I-131 has unique eligibility requirements and filing procedures. In general, eligibility depends on your current immigration status and the purpose of your travel. 

Here’s a a closer look at who is eligible and some unique requirements for each type of travel document:

Some Form I-131 applicants, particularly those between the ages of 14 and 79, require an interview or a biometrics appointment. USCIS may determine it needs your fingerprints, photograph, or signature to process your application. If so, it will contact you with details for an appointment.

Supporting documents needed for Form I-131

Depending on the category of travel document you apply for, you may need to submit documents with the Form I-131. Here are some examples of documents USCIS may request:

• Copy of a photo ID that includes your name and date of birth
• 2 color, passport-style photographs
• Evidence of your immigration status, such as a Form I-485 receipt or TPS approval
• Proof or evidence of the purpose of your travel

When and where to file Form I‑131

You need to file Form I-131 while you are physically present in the United States. You should also apply as early as possible. As of late 2025, USCIS processing times for Form I-131 vary widely—often between 4 and 15 months depending on the type of travel document and service center. 

If you have an urgent humanitarian reason for travel, you may request expedited processing by submitting evidence such as a medical letter or family emergency documentation. USCIS reviews expedited requests on a case-by-case basis. You can request an appointment to visit a USCIS field office to request an expedited advance parole in person.

If you are going through the Green Card application process, you can file Form I-131 at the same time that you file Form I-485, or anytime afterward.

Filing Form I-131 online vs. paper

Some advance parole requests can be filed online through your USCIS account. Re-entry permits and refugee travel documents still require paper filing by mail. The correct mailing address varies depending on the type of document you’re requesting and your location. Check the current direct filing addresses for Form I-131 before mailing your application.

How to fill out Form I-131

Before filling out anything, read the Form I-131 instructions carefully. It’s a relatively short form, but accuracy matters. Because the same form covers several types of travel documents, it’s easy to select the wrong category or miss a required section. Mistakes can cause USCIS to reject or delay your application.

Start with Part 1. Do not fill out the large block at the top of the first page. USCIS will complete that after you file.

Here’s how to complete Form I-131 correctly:

Form I-131 filing fees

As of November 2025, the filing fee for most travel document categories is $630 if you file a paper form and $580 if you file online. If biometrics are required, like a photo or fingerprints, there is an additional fee.

People who have refugee or asylum status, and who file Form I-131 within one year of their status approval, are generally exempt from the fee. Certain humanitarian applicants—including refugees, asylees, and those facing financial hardship—may request a fee waiver using Form I-912.

As of Oct. 16, 2025, there is also a $1,000 fee for certain parole requests. The fee mostly applies to humanitarian parole and is separate from the USCIS I-131 filing fee. It’s collected by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which will send you a separate notice if you need to pay the fee. This fee is paid upon approval.

What happens after filing Form I-131

After filing your application for a travel document, you’ll receive a receipt notice (Form I-797C) confirming your case number. If you need a biometrics appointment, you will receive an appointment notice.

After approval, you’ll receive a physical travel document or passport-style booklet. When you receive it, you’ll want to do the following:

• Check your name, document category, and expiration date carefully.
• Keep it with your passport during travel.
• If it’s lost or stolen, refile Form I-131 with a short statement explaining what happened.

Guidance for your I-131 submission

Getting an approved travel document with Form I-131 is a necessary step to protect your immigration status before you travel outside the U.S. Filing for the right type of travel document and filing on time helps you and your family to travel with confidence.

If you need help filling out your Form I-131 or guidance around how to travel—and stay compliant—while on a visa, request a consultation with Manifest Law’s experienced immigration attorneys today.

FAQs about USCIS Form I‑131

Do I need Form I-131 if I already have a Green Card?

Maybe. If you’re a lawful permanent resident and will be abroad for a year or longer, a re-entry permit helps preserve your permanent residence.

Can I travel while my I-131 is pending?

Usually not. Leaving before approval can cause a denial. It could also be seen as abandoning a pending Green Card application, unless you have a current nonimmigrant status such as an L-1, H-1, H-4, L-2, K-3, K-4 and have a valid visa stamp. Or, if you have another proper travel document to re-enter the USA, you can also apply again for AP once you re-enter the U.S.

How long is a travel document valid?

Re-entry permits are valid for up to 2 years. Advance parole is typically valid for 1 year, though longer is possible. Refugee travel documents are valid for 1 year.

What happens if I leave the country before my travel document is approved?

Traveling without a valid permit can lead to:

• Termination or delay of pending applications
• Possible loss of status
• Re-entry issues or inadmissibility findings

What happens if my travel document expires while I’m outside the U.S.?

If your document expires while you’re abroad, you may not be allowed to return. It’s best to consult with an immigration attorney to determine the best path forward if you find yourself in this position.