Form I-131 Instructions
Form I-131 is a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) travel application. The form is for people applying for a reentry permit, a refugee travel document or an advance parole travel document. A reentry permit allows U.S. residents to return to the United States after traveling abroad. A refugee travel document allows a refugee or an asylee to travel abroad and return to the U.S. An advance parole travel document allows non-U.S. citizens with pending immigration paperwork to return to the U.S. after traveling abroad or allows non-citizens into the U.S. for humanitarian reasons. To successfully obtain your travel document, you must complete all of the specific instructions regarding Form I-131.
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Things You'll Need
- Form I-131
- Form I-551
- Identification document
- Check or money order
- USCIS-issued refugee document
- USCIS-issued status document
- Written explanation for advance parole
- Two color photographs of self
Instructions
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Reentry Permit
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Navigate to the USCIS website (uscis.gov) if you do not already have Form I-131 in your possession.
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Click on the "Forms" link at the top of the page and then scroll down and click on the "Application for Travel Document I-131" link.
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Click the "Download Form I-131" link.
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Complete Form I-131 by typing or filling it out in black ink.
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Attach to your Form I-131 a copy of your Form I-551 (Green Card).
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Include with your Form I-131 a copy of a photo identification document, such as a current government-issued driver's license, a Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551 or a passport identity page. The document must display your photograph, name and date of birth.
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Include with your Form I-131 a check or money order for $360 payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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Send your Form I-131 and documents to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox (uscis.gov; PO Box 660867, Dallas, TX 75266) or the USCIS Phoenix Lockbox (uscis.gov; PO Box 21281, Phoenix, AZ 85036) depending on which state you live in. Navigate to the USCIS website (uscis.gov) to determine where to file your application.
Refugee Travel Document
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Complete Form I-131 by filling it out or typing it in black ink.
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Include with your Form I-131 a copy of an identification document, such as your current driver's license or passport identity page, displaying your photograph, name and date of birth.
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Attach to your Form I-131 your USCIS-issued document that displays your refugee or asylee status.
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Include with your Form I-131 a check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The document fee is $135 for people 16 years old and above and $105 for people under 16 years old.
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Navigate to the the USCIS website (uscis.gov) or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center (1-800-375-5283) to determine where to file your application.
Advance Parole Travel Document
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14
Type or fill in the Form I-131 using black ink.
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Attach a copy of the USCIS-issued document that demonstrates your current status in the United States as well as evidence or an explanation detailing the reasons for obtaining an advance parole travel document.
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16
Submit two identical color photographs of yourself with your Form I-131. These forms must be taken within 30 days of filing your application and must be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish and have a white or off-white background.
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Include a check or money order for $360 payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with your Form I-131.
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Navigate to the USCIS website (uscis.gov) or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center (1-800-375-5283) to determine where to file your paperwork.
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Tips & Warnings
People who are 14 to 79 years old and are filing for a refugee travel document or a reentry permit must attend a USCIS biometrics appointment after filing Form I-131. The biometrics fee is $85.
