How to Fill Out Form I-131: Application for Travel Document

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Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, is used to apply for various travel documents, including Reentry Permits, Refugee Travel Documents, and Advance Parole Documents. This guide provides an exhaustive step-by-step approach to filling out Form I-131 accurately.

Purpose of Form I-131

Reentry Permit: Allows lawful permanent residents or conditional permanent residents to apply for admission to the U.S. upon returning from abroad without obtaining a returning resident visa.
Refugee Travel Document: Issued to individuals in valid refugee or asylee status, or lawful permanent residents who obtained such status as refugees or asylees.
Advance Parole Document: Allows individuals to re-enter the U.S. after temporary foreign travel.

Who May File Form I-131?

Each applicant must file a separate application. Do not file Form I-131 if seeking release from immigration custody to remain in the U.S. as a parolee.

General Instructions

Type or Print: Use black ink to complete the form.
Extra Space: If more space is needed, attach separate sheets of paper with your name, A-Number, page number, part number, and item number to which your answer refers. Sign and date each sheet.
Complete All Questions: Answer all questions fully and accurately. Use “N/A” for not applicable questions and “None” for zero answers.
Date Format: Use mm/dd/yyyy format for dates.
Translations: Provide full English translations for documents in foreign languages, with a certification from the translator.

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Form I-131

How to Fill Out Form I-131: Application for Travel Document

Part 1: Information About You

Item 1-9:
1a-c: Enter your full legal name (family name, given name, middle name).
2a-i: Provide your physical address, including street number and name, apartment/suite/floor, city or town, state, ZIP code, province, postal code, and country.
3: Provide your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) if applicable.
4-5: Indicate your country of birth and country of citizenship.
6-7: Indicate your gender (male or female).
8: Enter your date of birth in mm/dd/yyyy format.
9: Provide your U.S. Social Security Number (if any).

Part 2: Application Type

Item 1a-f: Check the appropriate box to specify the type of travel document you are applying for:
1a: Reentry Permit.
1b: Refugee Travel Document for individuals currently holding refugee or asylee status.
1c: Refugee Travel Document for lawful permanent residents who obtained status as refugees or asylees.
1d: Advance Parole Document for individuals currently in the U.S.
1e: Advance Parole Document for individuals currently outside the U.S.
1f: Advance Parole Document for a person who is outside the U.S.

Part 3: Processing Information

Item 1: Provide the date of intended departure from the U.S.
Item 2: Indicate the expected length of your trip in days.
Item 3: If you have been issued a reentry permit or Refugee Travel Document before, indicate “Yes” or “No”. If “Yes”, provide details of the last document issued, including the date issued and disposition (e.g., attached, lost).
Item 4: Indicate if you or anyone included in this application is currently in exclusion, deportation, removal, or rescission proceedings. If “Yes”, provide the name of the DHS office handling the proceedings.

Part 4: Information About Your Proposed Travel

Item 1: Describe the purpose of your trip. If more space is needed, continue on a separate sheet of paper.
Item 2: List the countries you intend to visit. If more space is needed, continue on a separate sheet of paper.

Part 5: Complete Only If Applying for a Reentry Permit

Item 1: Indicate whether you have ever filed a Federal income tax return as a nonresident or failed to file a Federal income tax return because you considered yourself a nonresident. Provide details if applicable.
Item 2: Specify the total time you have spent outside the U.S. since becoming a permanent resident, or during the past 5 years, whichever is less:
2a: Less than 6 months.
2b: 6 months to 1 year.
2c: 1 to 2 years.
2d: 2 to 3 years.
2e: 3 to 4 years.
2f: More than 4 years.

Part 6: Complete Only If Applying for a Refugee Travel Document

Item 1: Provide the country from which you are a refugee or asylee.
Item 2: Indicate if you plan to travel to the country named above.
Item 3: If you have ever been granted refugee or asylee status in any other country, indicate “Yes” or “No”. If “Yes”, provide details on a separate sheet of paper.
Item 4: Since being accorded refugee/asylee status, indicate if you have, by any legal procedure or voluntary act, acquired a new nationality, reacquired the nationality of the country named above, or applied for/obtained a national passport, passport renewal, or entry permit of that country.

Part 7: Complete Only If Applying for Advance Parole

Item 1: Indicate how you qualify for an Advance Parole Document and explain the circumstances warranting its issuance. Include copies of any documents you wish to be considered. Use a separate sheet of paper if needed.
Item 2: Provide the location (city or town and country) of the U.S. Embassy or consulate or the DHS overseas office where you want the notice to pick up the travel document to be sent.
Item 3: Indicate if the travel document will be used for one trip or multiple trips.

Part 8: Employment Authorization for New Period of Parole Under Operation Allies Welcome

Item 1: Indicate if you are requesting an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) upon approval of your new period of parole.

Part 9: Signature of Applicant

Item 1a: Provide your signature. Note that stamped or typewritten names are not acceptable.
Item 1b: Enter the date of signature in mm/dd/yyyy format.

Part 10: Information About the Person Who Prepared This Application, If Other Than the Applicant

Item 1a-b: Provide the preparer’s full name.
Item 2: Provide the preparer’s business or organization name, if applicable.
Item 3a-h: Provide the preparer’s mailing address, including street number and name, apartment/suite/floor, city or town, state, ZIP code, province, postal code, and country.
Item 4: Provide the preparer’s contact information, including daytime phone number.
Item 5: Provide the preparer’s email address, if any.
Item 6a-b: Provide the preparer’s signature and date of signature. Note that stamped or typewritten names are not acceptable.

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Required Supporting Documents

Proof of Identity: A copy of an official photo identity document showing your photo, name, and date of birth (e.g., current Employment Authorization Document, government-issued driver’s license, passport identity page, Permanent Resident Card).
Specific Documents Based on Application Type:

Reentry Permit: A copy of Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, or other evidence of lawful permanent resident status.
Refugee Travel Document: A copy of the document issued by USCIS showing refugee or asylee status.
Advance Parole Document: Evidence of present status in the U.S., an explanation of circumstances warranting issuance, and supporting documents related to travel purpose.

Photographs

Requirement: Submit two identical color passport-style photographs taken within 30 days of filing the application. The photos should have a white to off-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and unretouched. The dimensions should be 2 by 2 inches, with the head height measuring 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, and the eye height between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your eyes to the bottom of the photo.
Marking: Lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of the photos using a pencil or felt pen.

Filing Fee

Check the USCIS website or Form G-1055 for the current fee. Pay with a check or money order made out to the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” Do not use abbreviations like “USDHS” or “DHS.”

Submission

Submit the completed Form I-131, supporting documents, and the filing fee to the appropriate USCIS address. Check the

USCIS website for the most current filing address.

After Submission

Receipt Notice: USCIS will send you a receipt notice confirming they received your application.
Biometrics Appointment: USCIS may require you to provide fingerprints, a photograph, and/or a signature. You will be notified in writing of the time and location for your biometrics services appointment.
Interview: USCIS may request an interview to verify the information provided. If required, you will be notified of the date, time, and location of the interview.
Decision: USCIS will notify you in writing of their decision.

Additional Tips

Accuracy: Double-check all information for accuracy before submission.
Copies: Keep copies of all documents for your records.
Signature: Ensure all required signatures are provided in ink.
Translations: Include certified translations for any foreign language documents.

By following these comprehensive instructions, you can complete Form I-131 accurately and thoroughly, ensuring a smooth process for obtaining your travel document.