Application for Travel Document
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File I-131 with Ezel
Fill I-131 with Ezel
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What is I-131?
USCIS Form I-131 is the omnibus application for several different travel and parole documents. The most common pro se uses are: (1) Reentry Permit for a lawful permanent resident who plans to be outside the United States for more than one year; (2) Refugee Travel Document for an asylee, refugee, or LPR via refugee/asylee status who needs to travel outside the country; (3) TPS Travel Authorization for a Temporary Protected Status beneficiary who needs to travel; (4) Advance Parole for someone with a pending I-485 (or U/V/I-687/I-817 status, or current parolee) who needs to travel before their adjustment is approved. Item 1 of Part 1 is the most consequential field on the form because it drives which other parts you must complete and what fee you owe. Less common applications (initial parole, parole in place, re-parole, humanitarian parole) appear on the same form but are highly fact-specific and usually require attorney guidance.
What happens if you miss the deadline: Departing the United States without an approved Advance Parole while an I-485 is pending will be treated by USCIS as abandonment of the I-485, except for the narrow H, L, K-3, K-4, and V categories. Reentry Permits cannot be issued from outside the U.S.; if you remain abroad more than one year without a permit, your green card may be deemed abandoned. Refugee Travel Documents must be obtained before departing if at all possible; refugees and asylees who travel without one risk being denied reentry.
How to file
- Filing fee
- Varies by application type (USCIS April 2024 final rule, paper). Under the 04/01/24 rule, biometrics costs are bundled into the base fee for most categories; only TPS Travel Authorization (item 4) and EOIR-related filings keep a separate $30 biometrics line. Reentry Permit (item 1): $630 (biometrics bundled). Refugee Travel Document (items 2 / 3): $165 if age 16 or older, $135 if under 16 (biometrics bundled); refugees / asylees who first travel before adjustment under 8 CFR 223 retain the fee path described in the I-131 instructions. Advance Parole (item 5): $630 standalone; no extra fee if filed concurrently with a pending I-485 that itself paid the AP-bundled fee under the USCIS one-time bundle. TPS Travel Authorization (item 4): $630 plus $30 biometrics. Items 6-11 (initial parole / parole in place / re-parole): fees vary by program; some humanitarian programs are $0 under USCIS or congressional-direction filing-fee exemptions. Always check uscis.gov/feecalculator before mailing; fees change annually. Use Form I-912 to request a fee waiver if you cannot pay.
- Filing method
- mail (USCIS lockbox or service center, varies by application type), online (my.uscis.gov, for some application types)
- Filing deadline
- No statutory filing deadline. Practical guidance: (a) Reentry Permit (item 1) must be filed while you are physically inside the United States; biometrics are scheduled in the U.S. and the document is then mailed to you (or to a U.S. embassy / consulate / international field office abroad if you have already departed). USCIS strongly recommends filing 60 days before international travel. (b) Refugee Travel Document (items 2 / 3): file before you depart the U.S.; an asylee or refugee who travels without an RTD risks being denied reentry. (c) TPS Travel Authorization (item 4): no statutory deadline, but file at least 90 days before intended travel; without TPS travel auth, departing terminates TPS. (d) Advance Parole (item 5): file as soon as you know you will need to travel; departing the U.S. before AP is approved abandons a pending I-485 (with narrow H, L, K-3, K-4, V exceptions). (e) Items 6-11 (parole / parole in place / re-parole): fact-specific; many parole programs have congressional or USCIS-published filing windows.
- How to serve
- Not applicable. I-131 is filed directly with USCIS; there is no party to serve.
- Wet signature
- Yes, sign in pen after printing.
- Notarization
- No
- Original and copies
- Original to USCIS lockbox or service center per the I-131 instructions for your application type. Keep a copy of the entire packet for your records, including the signed form, all supporting evidence (passport bio page, prior I-94, prior EAD or green card, evidence of pending I-485 / I-589 if applicable, two passport-style photos, the fee receipt or I-912), and any tracking number from USPS or courier.
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Part 1 item 1-12: which document you are applying for. Most consequential field on the form.
- Picking 'reentry permit' when applicant is not a green-card holder. Reentry permit (item 1) is for LPRs only.
- Picking 'advance parole' when applicant is outside the U.S. Item 5 AP is for people inside the U.S.; if outside the U.S., the right path is items 6-7 (initial parole document).
TPS Travel Authorization receipt number (item 4 attaches the I-821 receipt).
- Putting an I-765 (EAD) receipt instead of the I-821 receipt. USCIS specifically wants the I-821 receipt.
Advance Parole basis (item 5 sub-letter A through M).
- Picking pending I-485 (5.A) when the I-485 is denied or has been withdrawn. AP only attaches to a pending adjustment.
- Picking 5.B (V-status) when applicant is on a different visa class.
I-485 receipt number when filing this I-131 separately from a pending I-485.
- Filing the I-131 in the same envelope as the I-485 but still entering the receipt number; leave blank if both are stapled together so USCIS does not look up a receipt that has not been issued yet.
U-status I-918 receipt number.
- Filer types only the digits without the 3-letter prefix.
- Filer types Visa or A-Number instead of receipt.
V-status receipt number.
- Filer types only the digits without the 3-letter prefix.
- Filer types Visa or A-Number instead of receipt.
I-687 receipt number (Section 245A temporary residence).
- Filer types only the digits without the 3-letter prefix.
- Filer types Visa or A-Number instead of receipt.
I-817 Family Unity receipt number.
- Filer types only the digits without the 3-letter prefix.
- Filer types Visa or A-Number instead of receipt.
Class of admission for current parolee.
- Filer types visa class instead of parole COA.
- Filer leaves blank because the I-94 was paper and they do not know the code.
Explanation when AP basis is other.
- Filer leaves blank after picking 'other'.
- Filer writes a vague phrase rather than tying to a specific program.
Item 1 family name; matches passport spelling.
- Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
- Filer types nickname instead of legal name.
Item 1 given name.
- Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
- Filer types nickname instead of legal name.
Item 1 middle name.
- Filer treats middle name as required and types 'N/A'.
- Filer omits middle name listed on passport.
Item 2 first 'other name' family.
- Forgetting maiden names. USCIS background checks pick those up and missing them produces RFEs.
- Filer types 'N/A' instead of leaving blank.
Item 2 first 'other name' given.
- Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
- Filer types nickname instead of legal name.
Item 2 first 'other name' middle.
- Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
- Filer types nickname instead of legal name.
Item 2 second 'other name' family.
- Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
- Filer types nickname instead of legal name.
Item 2 second 'other name' given.
- Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
- Filer types nickname instead of legal name.
Item 2 second 'other name' middle.
- Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
- Filer types nickname instead of legal name.
Item 2 third 'other name' family.
- Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
- Filer types nickname instead of legal name.
Item 2 third 'other name' given.
- Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
- Filer types nickname instead of legal name.
Item 2 third 'other name' middle.
- Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
- Filer types nickname instead of legal name.
Item 3 in-care-of name on mailing address.
- Filer fills with own name instead of leaving blank.
- Filer types 'self'.
Item 3 mailing street.
- Listing only a P.O. box without filling item 4 (physical address).
- Filer types only number without street name.
Item 3 mailing unit type.
- Filer leaves blank when unit number is filled.
- Filer types unit number in this field.
Item 3 mailing unit number.
- Filer leaves blank when unit type is filled.
- Filer prefixes with '#' which can confuse the optical reader.
Item 3 mailing city.
- Filer abbreviates city name (LA instead of Los Angeles).
- Filer types neighborhood instead of city.
Item 3 mailing state (if U.S.).
- Filer leaves blank when address is in U.S.
- Filer types full state name in a small field.
Item 3 mailing ZIP (if U.S.).
- Filer leaves blank when address is in U.S.
- Filer enters ZIP+4 with no separator.
Item 3 mailing postal code (if outside U.S.).
- Filer fills with ZIP-style 5 digits when country uses alphanumeric postal codes.
- Filer leaves blank when address is outside U.S.
Item 3 mailing province (if outside U.S.).
- Filer leaves blank when province is part of the country's address format.
- Filer types province in 'state' field for non-U.S. addresses.
Item 3 mailing country (if outside U.S.).
- Filer types abbreviation; spell out country name in full.
- Filer leaves blank when address is outside U.S.
Item 4 physical address in-care-of.
- Filer fills with own name.
- Filer types 'self'.
Item 4 physical street.
- Filer types only number without street name.
- Filer abbreviates street type non-standardly.
Item 4 physical unit type.
- Filer leaves blank when unit number is filled.
- Filer types unit number in this field.
Item 4 physical unit number.
- Filer leaves blank when unit type is filled.
- Filer prefixes with '#' which can confuse the optical reader.
Item 4 physical city.
- Filer abbreviates city name (LA instead of Los Angeles).
- Filer types neighborhood instead of city.
Item 4 physical state.
- Filer leaves blank when address is in U.S.
- Filer types full state name in a small field.
Item 4 physical ZIP.
- Filer leaves blank when address is in U.S.
- Filer enters ZIP+4 with no separator.
Item 4 physical postal code (if outside U.S.).
- Filer fills with ZIP-style 5 digits when country uses alphanumeric postal codes.
- Filer leaves blank when address is outside U.S.
Item 4 physical province (if outside U.S.).
- Filer leaves blank when province is part of the country's address format.
- Filer types province in 'state' field for non-U.S. addresses.
Item 4 physical country (if outside U.S.).
- Filer types abbreviation; spell out country name in full.
- Filer leaves blank when address is outside U.S.
Item 5 A-Number.
- LPRs often forget to copy the A-Number from the green card. The A-Number is the 'USCIS#' on the front of the green card.
Item 6 country of birth.
- Filer types country of citizenship rather than country of birth.
- Filer types historical name (USSR, Yugoslavia) when USCIS expects current country.
Item 7 country of citizenship or nationality.
- Writing the country of birth instead of citizenship; these can differ.
Item 8 sex.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer types text rather than picking from the radio.
Item 9 date of birth.
- Filer uses DD/MM/YYYY (international format).
- Filer types only year.
Item 10 SSN.
- Filer enters ITIN instead of SSN.
- Filer types fake SSN; leave blank if you have none.
Item 11 USCIS Online Account number.
- Filer enters A-Number instead of online account number.
- Filer leaves blank because they have an online account but did not check.
Item 12 class of admission (COA).
- Filer types visa class on the visa stamp rather than the I-94 admission code.
- Filer leaves blank when applying under items 4, 5, 8-11.
Item 13 most recent I-94 number.
- Listing the visa number rather than the I-94 number. Look up your I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
Item 14 expiration date of authorized stay shown on I-94.
- Filer types visa expiration instead of I-94 admission stay expiration.
- Filer types numeric date when I-94 says 'D/S' (Duration of Status).
Item 15 eMedical U.S. Parolee ID.
- Filer enters A-Number instead of eMedical USPID.
- Filer leaves blank when paroled under a humanitarian program that issued one.
Item 13 (top of Part 2 page 4) yes / no on refugee status.
- Picking yes when only the spouse / child is the refugee/asylee. Item 13 is about the applicant's own status.
- Picking no after I-485 was approved as a refugee/asylee.
Part 3 item 1 ethnicity.
- Filer skips because they identify as multi-ethnic; pick the closest option.
- Filer leaves blank assuming optional; required by USCIS.
Part 3 item 2 race (multi-select).
- Filer picks only one when multiple apply.
- Filer leaves blank assuming optional; required by USCIS.
Part 3 item 3 height feet.
- Filer types inches in feet field.
- Filer leaves blank.
Part 3 item 3 height inches.
- Filer types decimal feet here.
- Filer enters >=12 inches.
Part 3 item 4 weight in pounds.
- Filer types kilograms instead of pounds.
- Filer leaves blank.
Part 3 item 5 eye color.
- Filer types descriptive language ('hazel-green'); pick from the dropdown.
- Filer leaves blank.
Part 3 item 6 hair color.
- Filer types descriptive language; pick from the dropdown.
- Filer leaves blank.
Part 4 item 1: ever in immigration proceedings yes / no.
- Answering no when the applicant has been in master / individual hearings. Check immigration court records at acis.eoir.justice.gov.
- Answering no when applicant has had a credible-fear interview.
Part 4 item 2a: prior Reentry Permit or RTD yes / no.
- Filer answers no when prior RP / RTD was issued and expired.
- Filer treats AP as RTD; AP is item 3, not item 2.
Part 4 item 2b: date of last RP/RTD issuance.
- Filer uses DD/MM/YYYY (international format).
- Filer types only year.
Part 4 item 2c: disposition of last RP/RTD.
- Filer leaves blank after answering yes to item 2a.
- Filer types 'expired' when document was used for travel and returned.
Part 4 item 3a: prior Advance Parole yes / no.
- Filer answers no when AP was issued for prior I-485 cycles.
- Filer treats reentry permit as AP.
Part 4 item 3b: date of last AP issuance.
- Filer uses DD/MM/YYYY (international format).
- Filer types only year.
Part 4 item 3c: disposition of last AP.
- Filer leaves blank after answering yes to item 3a.
- Filer types 'used' without dates.
Part 4 item 4: is this a replacement of an existing document?
- Picking yes when the document has not yet been issued. Initial applications pick no.
- Picking no when applicant lost the existing document and needs replacement.
Part 4 item 5: reason for replacement.
- Picking 'USCIS error' when the error was caused by the applicant. USCIS-error replacements are eligible for fee-free correction; applicant-error replacements are not.
- Picking 'lost/stolen' without filing a police report (recommended).
Part 4 item 6a: explanation of incorrect information.
- Filer leaves blank after picking 'incorrect info' as reason.
- Filer writes vague 'wrong info' without specifying the field.
Part 4 item 6b: receipt number of prior I-131.
- Filer types only the digits without the 3-letter prefix.
- Filer types Visa or A-Number instead of receipt.
Part 4 item 7: where to send the issued document.
- Filer picks 'embassy' when applicant is still in the U.S. Most filers want delivery to the U.S. address.
- Filer picks 'address in part 1' when actually expecting embassy pickup.
Part 4 item 7b: embassy / consulate city.
- Filer types country instead of embassy city.
- Filer leaves blank after picking embassy delivery.
Part 4 item 7b: embassy / consulate country.
- Filer leaves blank after picking embassy delivery.
- Filer types abbreviation; spell out country.
Part 4 item 8: where to send the embassy pickup notification.
- Filer leaves blank after picking embassy delivery.
- Filer picks alt address with no contact information.
Part 4 item 9a: notification address in-care-of.
- Filer fills with own name.
- Filer types 'self'.
Part 4 item 9a: notification street.
- Filer types only number without street name.
- Filer abbreviates street type non-standardly.
Part 4 item 9a: notification unit type.
- Filer leaves blank when unit number is filled.
- Filer types unit number in this field.
Part 4 item 9a: notification unit number.
- Filer leaves blank when unit type is filled.
- Filer prefixes with '#' which can confuse the optical reader.
Part 4 item 9a: notification city.
- Filer abbreviates city name (LA instead of Los Angeles).
- Filer types neighborhood instead of city.
Part 4 item 9a: notification state.
- Filer leaves blank when address is in U.S.
- Filer types full state name in a small field.
Part 4 item 9a: notification ZIP.
- Filer leaves blank when address is in U.S.
- Filer enters ZIP+4 with no separator.
Part 4 item 9a: notification country.
- Filer types abbreviation; spell out country name in full.
- Filer leaves blank when address is outside U.S.
Part 4 item 9b: notification daytime phone.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer types non-numeric symbols beyond + and parentheses.
Part 4 item 9c: notification email.
- Filer types domain only without local-part.
- Filer leaves blank.
Part 5 item 1: time outside U.S. since LPR (or last 5 years).
- Picking 'less than 6 months' when the applicant has spent more time abroad. USCIS will compare to CBP entry / exit records.
- Picking '> 1 year' on first reentry permit application without realizing risk of LPR abandonment.
Part 6 item 1: country of refugee or asylee origin.
- Filer types country of last residence rather than country of feared persecution.
- Filer types historical country name.
Part 6 item 2: plan to travel to country of origin yes / no.
- Picking yes without explanation; travel back to the country you fled often raises USCIS questions about whether you have abandoned status.
- Picking no when the trip itinerary clearly transits or visits the country.
Part 6 item 3a: ever returned to country of origin.
- Filer answers no when prior trips returned through a third country into the country of origin.
- Filer answers yes for transit only; explain on overflow.
Part 6 item 3b: applied for or obtained a national passport, renewal, or entry permit from country of origin.
- Filer answers no when applicant maintained the country-of-origin passport.
- Filer treats expired passport as 'no'; renewing it is the trigger.
Part 6 item 3c: received any benefit from country of origin.
- Filer answers no when applicant received pension, healthcare, or property rents from country of origin.
- Filer answers yes for benefits received before refugee/asylee grant.
Part 6 item 4a: acquired a new nationality.
- Filer answers no when applicant naturalized in a third country.
- Filer treats lawful permanent residence in third country as nationality.
Part 6 item 4b: reacquired country-of-origin nationality.
- Filer answers no when applicant restored nationality of country of origin.
- Filer treats holding the document without active use as 'no'.
Part 6 item 4c: granted refugee or asylee status in any other country.
- Filer answers no when applicant has been granted asylum elsewhere.
- Filer answers yes for residency that is not asylum.
Part 6 item 5: filing for RTD before departing the U.S.?
- Filing from outside the U.S. without first filing in the U.S. Refugees and asylees should file before departure when at all possible.
- Picking yes after departure has already happened.
Part 6 item 6a: currently outside U.S.
- Filer leaves blank after answering 'no' to item 5.
- Filer answers yes when transiting through a U.S. airport (still in U.S. for filing purposes).
Part 6 item 6b: current city if outside U.S.
- Filer leaves blank after answering yes to currently outside U.S.
- Filer types country in city field.
Part 6 item 6c: current country if outside U.S.
- Filer leaves blank after answering yes to currently outside U.S.
- Filer types abbreviation.
Part 7 item 1: date of intended departure.
- Putting a departure date before the AP is realistically expected to issue. AP processing takes several months; do not book travel until the document is in hand.
Part 7 item 2: purpose of trip.
- Vague purposes (visit family) prompt RFEs. Be specific (visit ailing parent, attend wedding, business trip).
- Filer types 'tourism' for a humanitarian purpose; specify the humanitarian basis.
Part 7 item 3: countries to be visited.
- Filer types continent or region; list specific countries.
- Filer omits transit countries.
Part 7 item 4: one trip vs more than one trip.
- Filer picks 'one trip' when multiple are planned; pick 'more than one' to avoid filing again.
- Filer picks 'more than one' for an obvious single trip; USCIS may scrutinize.
Part 7 item 5: expected length of trip in days.
- Filer types weeks or months; the field expects days.
- Filer types unrealistic durations (years).
Part 8 item 1: explain qualification for parole / parole-in-place / re-parole.
- Filing a generic narrative that does not tie to a specific parole basis (FRTF, military PIP, etc.). Specify the program.
Part 8 item 2: expected length of stay in U.S.
- Filer types weeks or months when days are expected.
- Filer leaves blank.
Part 8 item 3a: date of intended arrival to U.S.
- Filer uses DD/MM/YYYY (international format).
- Filer types only year.
Part 8 item 3b: embassy / consulate city for notification.
- Filer types country in city field.
- Filer leaves blank when applying under items 6-7.
Part 8 item 3b: embassy / consulate country.
- Filer leaves blank when applying under items 6-7.
- Filer types abbreviation.
Part 9 item 1: request EAD with new period of parole.
- Filer leaves blank when re-paroling under items 10-11.
- Filer requests EAD without paying the EAD-bundled fee.
Part 10 item 1: daytime phone.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer types phone number with non-numeric formatting.
Part 10 item 2: mobile phone.
- Filer duplicates daytime phone in mobile field.
- Filer leaves blank if they have one.
Part 10 item 3: email.
- Filer types personal email that is not regularly checked.
- Filer leaves blank.
Part 10 item 4: applicant signature.
- Signing electronically. USCIS requires a wet-ink signature on the printed form.
Part 10 item 4: signature date.
- Filer uses DD/MM/YYYY (international format).
- Filer types only year.
Top of page 1: G-28 attorney representation checkbox.
- Filer checks box without attaching G-28.
- Filer leaves blank when an attorney is filing.
Sources
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