I-131, Application for Travel Document

• Form I-131 (446 KB PDF)
• Instructions for Form I-131 (316 KB PDF)
• Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (239 KB PDF)

Purpose of Form

To apply for a re-entry permit, refugee travel document or advance parole travel document, to include parole into the U.S. for humanitarian reasons.

Number of Pages

Form 5; Instructions 13.

Edition Date

03/22/13. Previous editions not accepted.

Where to File

Please check the Filing Addresses for Form I-131 for information on where to mail your application.

If you are applying for an Advance Parole Document, you may be eligible to file this form online. You may not file online if your application is based on an approved request for consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals (Form I-821D).

Filing Fee

See Special Instructions and Form Instructions

Special Instructions

Note: If you are filing Form I-131 Application Type B or D, you filed a Form I-485 on/after July 30, 2007, with a fee, and the Form I-485 is still pending, then no additional fee is due for Form I-131.

If you are filing your application at a USCIS Lockbox facility:

• We recommend reading our Lockbox Filing Tips.
• To receive an e-Notification when your Form I-131 has been accepted, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance and clip it to the front of your application.
•  To ensure your application is accepted:
  • Sign your form
  • Submit the correct fee
  • Complete the entire form. The form will be rejected if any of these required fields are missing:
    • Part 1, Family Name
    • Part 1, Address
    • Part 1, Date of Birth
    • Part 2, Application Type
    • Part 2, Family Name (if filing for an Advance Parole Document for a person outside of the United States, Application Type “F”) 

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: You cannot apply for advance parole while your request for deferred action is still pending. If you leave the United States while your request for consideration of deferred action is pending, your deferred action request will be denied.

Once USCIS approves your request for consideration of deferred action, you may file Form I-131 to request advance parole to travel outside of the United States. If you travel outside the United States without first receiving advance parole, USCIS will automatically terminate your deferred action. You must submit Form I-131 with specific documentation depending on the agency that deferred action in your case. If USCIS deferred action in your case, submit a copy of your Form I-797, Notice of Action. If U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deferred action in your case, submit a copy of the ICE order, notice, or letter. USCIS will only grant advance parole if your travel abroad will be for educational, employment, or humanitarian purposes. You must indicate the purpose on the Form I-131 as described below:

• Educational purposes, such as semester abroad programs or academic research;
• Employment purposes, such as overseas assignments, interviews, conferences, training, or meetings with clients; or 
• Humanitarian purposes, such as travel to obtain medical treatment, attend funeral services for a family member, or visit an ailing relative.

Travel for vacation is not a valid purpose.

You may not file Form I-131 online. Send Form I-131 with the required evidence to:

If mailing using U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
P.O. Box 5757
Chicago, IL 60680-5757

If mailing using express Mail or courier delivery:

USCIS
ATTN: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
131 S. Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

For additional information about travel outside the United States and filing for advance parole, read Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: Travel Documents.