Complete Guide to Form I-131

This article was reviewed by Rohit Mittal – co-founder of Stilt, Inc, financial expert, and immigrant. To learn more about Rohit’s credentials, visit his LinkedIn, Substack, and Twitter.

If you are a non-U.S. citizen residing in the U.S. and have plans to travel abroad, welcome on board. This article will walk you through the ABCs of Form I-131, the document required for international travel. So, before you pack your bags, make yourself fully aware of Form I-131 and be ready for a smooth journey.

What Is Form I-131?

Form I-131 is an important travel application for non-U.S. citizens that is necessary for a problem-free return to the U.S. Form I-131 must be filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before you travel. You will then be granted a valid travel document, usually any one of the following:

• A Reentry Permit for permanent residents
• A Refugee Travel Document for asylees and refugees
• Advance Parole for those with pending applications

Who Needs Form I-131?

Apart from non-U.S. citizens, in some cases, even green card holders might need to submit Form I-131, especially if they have stayed outside the U.S. for more than a year. In such situations, they need a re-entry permit to return home. Even then, they need to ensure that their stay outside the U.S. is not more than two years for the first two re-entry permits.

How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-131

Part 1: Information About You – In this section, you will be asked to provide information about yourself, including:

• The address of where you actually live
• Your class of admission

If you have no class of admission, like if you entered without inspection, you can type N/A and perhaps an explanation like “entered without inspection.” (But in that case, doublecheck with an attorney that you are truly eligible to adjust status in the U.S.)

Part 2: Application Type” – Check box 1.d. Do not check any other box. You do not have to fill in any other box in Part 2.

Part 3: Processing Information – If you know your date of departure and how long the trip will last, include that information in the boxes for questions 1 and 2. Question 3.a. asks whether you are in immigration proceedings. You must check “No” here in order to be eligible for an advance parole document.

Parts 4, 5, and 6: – Leave these sections blank.

Part 7: Complete Only If Applying for Advance Parole – If you have already submitted your application for a green card, include a copy of the USCIS receipt notice from your pending application. Leave the boxes for questions 2, 3, and 4 blank because you are not outside the United States.

Part 8: Signature of Applicant – Make sure to sign and date your application and provide a phone number where you can be reached. USCIS will reject your form if your signature is not on it.

Part 9: Information About Person Who Prepared This Application, If Other Than the Applicant – This section needs to be filled out only if someone else prepared your application, like an attorney. Otherwise, leave it blank.

Before you submit, make a copy of the entire application package and keep it for your records. Send the application to the address that applies to you on the USCIS webpage containing the filing addresses for Form I-131.

Where you will send your application depends on whether you are filing it with Form I-485 or on its own. If you’re filing it after the I-485, the address depends on which USCIS office is handling your I-485. You’ll know by the receipt number on the Form I-797C Notice of Action you got from USCIS when you filed your I-485.

Documents Required for Form I-131

The documents required to submit Form I-131 include your application together with the fee and a copy of a photo identity document with your full name and date of birth. You can use a valid passport, driver’s license, or any official identity document for this purpose. You may need additional documents depending upon the type of application.

Where to Submit Form I-131?

The USCIS accepts Form I-131 both through mail and email. The mailing address differs depending on your immigration status and the type of travel document you need. For example, the mailing address for U.S. military family members is different from that of re-entry permit applicants.

 If you are submitting electronically, you will be directed as to where the supporting documents have to be sent. After the submission of the application, you will receive a confirmation sheet to attach to the supporting documentation to be mailed to the USCIS. You can access the necessary information on the USCIS website.

Form I-131 Processing Time

Typically, the processing of Form I-131 takes up to three months. You may check USCIS processing times to get the exact info. However, you can request expedited processing of your travel document if the situation demands it. Some of these include emergency situations, errors on the part of the USCIS, and humanitarian reasons, among many others.

Additional Documents For Certain Circumstances

Depending on your present circumstances, you may be required to submit additional documentation. A walk-through of those situations and the related documents are discussed below.

Re-entry Permit

• A copy of the front and back of Form I-551
• Or a copy of the visa page confirming lawful permanent resident status
• A copy of Form I-797, the Notice of Action

Refugee Travel Document

• A copy of the document given by the USCIS confirming your asylee or refugee status and the expiration date of this status.

People Currently in the U.S.

• A copy of any document confirming your present status in the U.S.
• And any evidence to show the circumstances demanding the issue of the Advance Parole Document
• Or a copy of the U.S. consular appointment letter if you are going to Canada to apply for an immigrant visa OR
• Or a copy of a USCIS receipt proving that you filed the adjustment application OR
• Or a copy of Form I-797 to show that the decision on form I-821D was to postpone action if the USCIS has postponed action under DACA. If ICE postponed action in your case, attach a copy of the letter from ICE.

People Outside of the U.S.

• Form I-134
• Explanation of why you need an Advance Parole Document, the explanation for the time period of its request, and evidence to support these.
• Explanation of why you cannot get a U.S. visa, details of when and where attempts for the same were made, or the reason why you could not seek a visa to enter the U.S.
• Explanation of why you could not get a waiver of inadmissibility to issue a visa, details of when and where attempts for the same were made, and a copy of any DHS decision on your waiver request or the reason why you could not seek a waiver.
• A copy of any decision regarding immigrant or non-immigrant petition or application submitted for a person to enter the U.S. and evidence of any such pending application.
• If your identity document is not your passport, you need to attach a copy of the passport. If it is not available, state the reason. In that case, submit copies of Form I-134 sponsor and petitioner’s official photo identities and proof of their U.S. citizenship or immigration status.

Form I-131 FAQ

Go through these FAQs if you have a question in mind.

How Long Does Form I-131 Last?

Form I-131 lasts for different time periods depending on the type of document.

• A Re-entry Permit lasts for two years starting from the date of issue. Note that this cannot be extended.
•  A Refugee Travel Document lasts for one year and cannot be extended.
• An Advance Parole Travel Document lasts for a year. You may get a single entry or a multiple entry document.

Is There a Waiver Fee for Form I-131?

Depending on the applicant’s age and type of application, the Form I-131 filing fee falls anywhere between $105 and $575. Every application needs a biometric service appointment that can cost $85. Again, depending on the above-mentioned factors, you may not have to pay anything for it. You are exempted from paying the fee if:

• You are filing Form I-131 Application Type B or D
• You have already filed a Form I-485 with a fee on or after July 30, 2007
• Your Form I-485 is still pending

If you qualify for a fee waiver, submit Form I-912 with proper evidence of your inability to pay the fee along with the application.

Can I Travel After Submitting Form I-131?

There are two different situations here.

First, if you have applied for a Re-entry Permit or Refugee Travel Document, you can travel before the approval. The document can be collected in a USCIS office abroad or any other valid office.

But if you need to give your fingerprints for biometrics, it is wise to complete the process before leaving. Second, if you have a valid Advance Parole and have applied for renewal, it is possible you could travel and be back before the existing document expires. If you are applying for Advance Parole for the first time, you cannot leave the country until the application is approved by the USCIS.

Read More

• How Do I Speak to a Live Person at USCIS?
• How Many Citizenships Can You Have?
• How Do I Know Which USCIS Service Center?
• How Do I Know If USCIS Received My Application?
• What “Country of Residence” and How to Know Yours When on a Visa
• How to Check Dropbox Eligibility with the App

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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