What is Form I-131?
Form I-131, officially titled Application for Travel Document, is a USCIS form used by non-U.S. citizens to request travel and parole under U.S. immigration law. It serves as the standardized application USCIS uses to evaluate eligibility for certain travel- and parole-related documents. Approval of Form I-131 does not guarantee admission to the United States, as U.S. immigration authorities make entry decisions at the port of entry.
What is USCIS Form I-131 used for?
USCIS I-131 Form is used to request specific travel or parole documents, depending on the applicant’s immigration status and circumstances. These include:
- A reentry permit for lawful permanent residents planning extended travel outside the United States
- Advance parole, which allows certain individuals to request permission to return to the U.S. after temporary travel abroad
- A refugee travel document for refugees and asylees
- Other USCIS-authorized travel or parole documents, such as TPS travel authorization or certain parole and re-parole requests
How to fill out Form I-131
Step 1 / Part 1. Application Type
- Select the reason you are filing USCIS Form I-131.
- Choose only one application type that applies to you.
Step 2 / Part 1. Application Type (continued)
- Provide additional details required for the application type you selected.
- Complete all items in this section that apply to your request.
Step 3 / Part 1. Application Type (continued)
- Continue answering application-type questions, if applicable.
- Follow the form’s instructions to determine when to move to the next part.
Step 4 / Part 2. Information About You
- Enter your full legal name and any other names used.
- Provide identifying information such as: - A-Number (if any) - USCIS Online Account Number (if any) - Social Security Number (if any) - Enter your date of birth, country of birth, and country of citizenship or nationality. - Provide your mailing address and physical address (if different).
Step 5 / Part 2. Information About You (continued)
- Provide additional personal and immigration-related information requested.
- If applicable, enter details such as your Form I-94 number, class of admission, and authorized stay or parole information.
Step 6 / Part 2. Information About Them
- Complete this section only if you are filing Form I-131 on behalf of another person.
- Enter the required identifying and contact information for that person.
- Skip this section if you are filing for yourself.
Step 7 / Part 2. Information About Them (continued)
Continue providing the required information for the person you are filing for, if applicable.
Step 8 / Part 3. Biographic Information of the Person Who Will Receive the Travel Document, Parole Document, or Arrival/Departure Record
- Provide biographic details such as height, weight, eye color, and hair color.
This information is used for identity verification and document issuance.
Step 9 / Part 3. Biographic Information of the Person Who Will Receive the Travel Document, Parole Document, or Arrival/Departure Record (continued)
- Complete any remaining biographic fields requested in this part.
Step 10 / Part 4. Processing Information
- Answer questions related to: - Previously issued travel or parole documents - Replacement requests (lost, stolen, damaged, not received, or incorrect) - Immigration or removal proceedings, if applicable
Step 11 / Part 4. Processing Information (continued)
- Complete any additional processing questions.
- Follow the instructions at the end of this part to determine which section to complete next.
Step 12 / Part 5. Reentry Permit
- Complete this part only if you are applying for a reentry permit.
- Provide the information requested in this section.
Step 13 / Part 6. Refugee Travel Document
- Complete this part only if you are applying for a refugee travel document.
- Answer all questions related to your refugee or asylee status.
Step 14 / Part 7. Advance Parole
- Complete this part only if you are applying for advance parole.
- Provide the required travel details, if requested.
Step 15 / Part 8. Initial Parole, Parole in Place, or Re-Parole
- Complete this part only if it applies to your application type.
- Provide the requested eligibility and parole information.
Step 16 / Part 9. Employment Authorization for Parole or Re-Parole Applicants
- Complete this part only if your application type allows you to request employment authorization.
Step 17 / Part 10. Applicant’s Statement, Contact Information, Certification, and Signature
- Review all information provided.
- Sign and date the form to certify its accuracy.
Step 18 / Part 11. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature
- Complete this part only if an interpreter assisted you.
Step 19 / Part 12. Preparer’s Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature
- Complete this part only if someone prepared the form for you.
Step 20 / Part 13. Additional Information
- Use this section if you need extra space.
- Reference the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number for each response.
Who is required to fill out Form I-131?
Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, is used by non-U.S. citizens who need to request a travel or parole document from USCIS, such as a reentry permit, refugee travel document, or advance parole. USCIS reviews the form to determine whether the applicant qualifies for the requested document based on their immigration status.
When is Form I-131 not required?
U.S. citizens do not need this form for travel. Many lawful permanent residents can travel outside the U.S. and return using a valid green card and passport, especially for short trips. Whether Form I-131 is required depends on the length of travel and individual immigration circumstances.
When is Form I-131 due?
Form I-131 does not have a fixed deadline. It must be filed before you travel, and it’s best to apply as early as possible since processing times vary by case type and USCIS office.
How to get a blank Form I-131
Our platform provides a preloaded template that lets you easily fill out and download the form.
Remember, we help with completing the form, but we do not submit it to USCIS.
How to sign Form I-131
For paper filings, Form I-131 must be signed by hand. A handwritten signature is required, but a scanned or photocopied version of the signed form is generally acceptable. Typed or stamped signatures are not accepted for paper submissions.
If you file Form I-131 online, the signature is completed electronically through your USCIS online account as part of the submission process.
Our platform can help you add a simple electronic signature for document preparation, but the final signature must meet USCIS requirements.
Where to file Form I-131?
Form I-131 can be filed by mail or online, depending on the application type. Some categories must be mailed to a specific USCIS address, while others may be eligible for online filing. Always follow the filing instructions for your specific Form I-131 category.
Other forms related to I-131
- Form I-94 – Arrival/Departure Record Form I-94 shows how and when a person was admitted or paroled into the United States. Details from this record, such as your class of admission and authorized stay, are often needed when completing Form I-131.
- Form I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status Applicants with a pending Form I-485 commonly file Form I-131 to request Advance Parole, allowing them to travel while their green card application is under review.
- Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization It's often filed alongside Form I-131 by adjustment-of-status applicants. In certain parole or re-parole cases, employment authorization may also be requested in connection with Form I-131.
- Form I-590 – Registration for Classification as Refugee Individuals admitted to the U.S. as refugees may later file Form I-131 to request a refugee travel document for international travel.
- Form I-730 – Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition People who receive refugee or asylee status through Form I-730 may need to file Form I-131 if they plan to travel outside the United States.
- Form I-821 – Application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) TPS beneficiaries often use Form I-131 to request travel authorization before leaving the United States, as international travel without approval can affect TPS status.
