Application for Travel Document

OMB No. 1615-0013; Expires 03/31/12

Instructions for Form I-131,
Application for Travel Document

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Instructions

Read these instructions carefully to properly complete this form. If you need more space to complete an answer, use a
separate sheet of paper. Write your name and Alien Registration Number (A-Number), if any, at the top of each sheet of
paper and indicate the part and number of the item to which the answer refers.

Updated Filing Address Information
The filing addresses provided on this form reflect the most
current information as of the date this form was last printed.
If you are filing Form I-131 more than 30 days after the latest
edition date shown in the lower right-hand corner, visit our
Web site at www.uscis.gov before you file, and check the
"Forms and Fees" page to confirm the correct filing address
and version currently in use. Check the edition date located in
the lower right-hand corner of the form. If the edition date on
your Form I-131 matches the edition date listed for Form
I-131 on the online "Forms and Fees" page, your version is
current and will be accepted by USCIS. If the edition date on
the online version is later, download a copy and use the
online version. If you do not have Internet access, call the
National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 to
verify the current filing address and edition date. Improperly
filed forms will be rejected and the fee returned with
instructions to resubmit the entire filing using the current
form instructions.

The document may be accepted by a transportation
company in lieu of a visa as an authorization for the holder
to travel to the United States. An advance parole document
is not issued to serve in place of any required passport.
Advance parole is an extraordinary measure used sparingly
to bring an otherwise inadmissible alien to the United
States for a temporary period of time due to a compelling
emergency. Advance parole cannot be used to circumvent
the normal visa issuing procedures and is not a means to
bypass delays in visa issuance.

DRAFT

What Is the Purpose of This Form?
This form is for applying to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) for the following travel documents, and can
not be used to request release from immigration custody:
1. Reentry Permit
A reentry permit allows a permanent resident or conditional
resident to apply for admission to the United States upon
returning from abroad during the permit's validity without
the need to obtain a returning resident visa from a U.S.
Embassy or consulate.
2. Refugee Travel Document
A refugee travel document is issued to a person classified
as a refugee or asylee, or to a permanent resident who
obtained such status as a refugee or asylee in the United
States. Persons who hold aslyee or refugee status and are
not permanent residents must have a refugee travel
document to return to the United States after temporary
travel abroad.
3. Advance Parole Document
An advance parole document is issued solely to authorize
the temporary parole of a person into the United States.

NOTE: If you are in the United States and wish to travel
abroad, you do not need to apply for advance parole if
both conditions described below in A and B are met:
A. You are in one of the following nonimmigrant
categories:
1. An H-1, temporary worker, or H-4, spouse or child
of an H-1; or
2. An L-1, intracompany transferee, or L-2, spouse or
child of an L-1; or
3. A K-3, spouse, or K-4, child of a U.S. citizen; or
4. A V-2, spouse, or V-3, child of a lawful permanent
resident; and

B. Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent
Residence or Adjust Status, was filed on your behalf
and is pending with USCIS.
However, upon returning to the United States, you
must present your valid H, L, K, or V nonimmigrant
visa and continue to remain eligible for that status.

Who May File Form I-131?
Each applicant must file a separate application for a travel
document.

1. Reentry Permit
A. If you are in the United States as a permanent resident
or conditional permanent resident, you may apply for a
re-entry permit. After filing your application for a
reentry permit, USCIS will inform you in writing when
to go to your local Application Support Center (ASC)
for your biometrics appointment. (See Biometric
Services Requirement.)
Form I-131 Instructions (Rev. 06/15/09)Y

You must be physically present in the United States
when you file the Reentry Permit application.
However, a Reentry Permit may be sent to a U.S.
Embassy or consulate or Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) office abroad for you to pick up, if you
request it when you file your application.
Departure from the United States before a decision is
made on an application for a Reentry Permit usually
does not affect the application. However, if biometric
collection is required and the applicant departs the
United States before the biometrics are collected,
the application may be denied.
With the exception of having to obtain a returning
resident visa abroad, a Reentry Permit does not relieve
you of any of the requirements of U.S. immigration
laws.

3. A Reentry Permit may not be extended.
C. A Reentry Permit may not be issued to you if:
1. You have already been issued such a document, and
it is still valid, unless the prior document has been
returned to USCIS, or you can demonstrate that it
was lost; or
2. A notice was published in the Federal Register that
precludes the issuance of such a document for travel
to the area where you intend to go.
NOTICE to permanent or conditional residents who
remain outside the United States for more than one
year: If you do not obtain a Reentry Permit and remain
outside the United States for one year or more, we may
determine that you have abandoned your permanent or
conditional resident status.

DRAFT

If you stay outside the United States for less than one
year, you are not required to apply for a Reentry
Permit. You may reenter the United States on your
Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551).

If you intend to apply in the future for naturalization,
absences from the United States for one year or more
will generally break the continuity of your required
continuous residence in the United States. If you
intend to remain outside the United States for one year
or more, you should file Form N-470, Application to
Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes. For
further information, contact your local USCIS office.
B. Validity of Reentry Permit
1. Generally, a Reentry Permit issued to a permanent
resident is valid for 2 years from the date of
issuance. However, if since becoming a permanent
resident you have been outside the United States for
more than 4 of the last 5 years, the permit will be
limited to 1 year, except that a permit with a validity
of 2 years may be issued to the following:
a. A permanent resident whose travel is on the
order of the U.S. Government, other than an
exclusion, deportation, removal, or rescission
order;
b. A permanent resident employed by a public
international organization of which the United
States is a member by treaty or statute; or
c. A permanent resident who is a professional
athlete and regularly competes in the United
States and worldwide.
2. A Reentry Permit issued to a conditional resident
shall be valid for 2 years from the date of issuance,
or to the date the conditional resident must apply for
removal of the conditions on his or her status,
whichever date comes first.

2. Refugee Travel Document
A. If you are in the United States in valid refugee or
asylee status, or if you are a permanent resident as a
direct result of your refugee or asylee status in the
United States, you may apply for a Refugee Travel
Document. Generally, you must have a Refugee Travel
Document to return to the United States after
temporary travel abroad. After filing your application
for a Refugee Travel Document, USCIS will inform
you in writing when to go to your local USCIS ASC
for your biometrics appointment.
You should apply for a refugee travel document before
you leave the United States. However, a Refugee
Travel Document may be sent to a U.S. Embassy or
consulate or DHS office abroad for you to pick up, if
you request it when you file your application.
Departure from the United States before a decision is
made on the application for a Refugee Travel
Document usually does not affect the application.
However, if biometric collection is required and the
applicant departs the United States before the
biometrics are collected, the application may be
denied.
Travel Warning Regarding Voluntary Re-availment
WARNING to asylees who travel to the country of
claimed persecution:
If you applied for asylum on or after April 1, 1997, your
asylum status may be terminated if the Government
determines that you have voluntarily availed yourself of the
protection of your country of claimed persecution. See section
208(c)(2)(D) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C.
158(c)(2)(D).

Form I-131 Instructions (Rev. 06/15/09)Y Page 2

B. Validity of Refugee Travel Document
1. A Refugee Travel Document is valid for one year.
2. A Refugee Travel Document may not be extended.
C. A Refugee Travel Document may not be issued to
you if:
1. You have already been issued such a document and
it is still valid, unless the prior document has been
returned to USCIS, or you can demonstrate that it
was lost; or
2. A notice was published in the Federal Register that
precludes the issuance of such a document for travel
to the area where you intend to go.

6. Therefore, if you apply for adjustment of status after
you return to the United States, continue with Form
I-485 that was pending before you left, or return to
a status that requires you to establish that you are
not inadmissible, you will need to apply for and
receive a waiver of inadmissibility before your
Form I-485 may be approved or your status
continued.
7. Generally, only persons who can establish extreme
hardship to their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent
resident spouse or parent may apply for the waiver
for humanitarian reasons to assure family unity or
when it is otherwise in the public interest. (See
sections 209(c), 212(a)(9), and 244(c) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act for more
information on unlawful presence and the available
waivers.)

DRAFT

NOTICE to permanent residents who obtain
permanent residence as a result of their refugee or
asylee status: If you do not obtain a Reentry Permit
and remain outside the United States for one year or
more, we may determine that you have abandoned your
permanent resident status.

3. Advance Parole Document
A. Travel Warning Regarding Unlawful Presence
Before you apply for an Advance Parole Document,
read the following travel warning carefully:
1. If you have been unlawfully present in the United
States for more than 180 days but less than 1 year,
and you leave before removal proceedings are
started against you, you may be inadmissible for 3
years from the date of departure.
2. If you have been unlawfully present in the United
States for one year or more, you may be
inadmissible for 10 years from the date of departure
regardless of whether you left before, during, or
after removal proceedings.
3. Unlawful presence is defined as being in the United
States without having been inspected and admitted
or paroled, or after the period of authorized stay has
expired.
4. However, certain immigration benefits and time
spent in the United States while certain applications
are pending may place you in a period of authorized
stay. These include, but are not limited to, a
properly filed Form I-485, Temporary Protected
Status (TPS), deferred enforced departure (DED),
asylum, and withholding of removal.
5. Although advance parole may allow you to return to
the United States, your departure may trigger the 3or 10-year bar, if you accrued more than 180 days
of unlawful presence BEFORE the date you were
considered to be in a period of authorized stay.

B. If you are outside the United States and need to visit
the United States temporarily for emergent
humanitarian reasons:
1. You may apply for an Advance Parole Document.
However, your application must be based on the
fact that you cannot obtain the necessary visa and
any required waiver of inadmissibility. Parole under
these conditions is granted on a case-by-case basis
for temporary entry, according to conditions as
prescribed.
2. A person in the United States may file this
application on your behalf. In so doing, he or she
must complete Part 1 of the form with information
about him or herself.
C. If you are in the United States and seek advance
parole:
1. You may apply if Form I-485 is pending, and you
seek to travel abroad for emergent personal or bona
fide business reasons; or
2. You may apply if you have been granted Temporary
Protected Status or another immigration status that
allows you to return to that status after a brief,
casual, and innocent absence (as defined in
8 CFR 244.1) from the United States.
NOTE: A surviving spouse of a U.S. citizen who died
before the second anniversary of the marriage, and the
qualified children of the surviving spouse, who have
been granted deferred action may also apply for
advance parole as specified in this section.

Form I-131 Instructions (Rev. 06/15/09)Y Page 3

D. An Advance Parole document may not be issued
to you if:
1. You held J-1 nonimmigrant status and are
subject to the 2-year foreign residence
requirement as a result of that status; or
2. You are in exclusion, deportation, removal, or
rescission proceedings.
E. If you travel before the advance parole
document is issued, your application will be
considered abandoned if:
1. You depart the United States; or

If you are applying for:
A. Reentry Permit
You must attach:
1. A copy of the front and back of your Form
I-551; or
2. If you have not yet received your Form I-551, a
copy of the biographic page(s) of your passport
and a copy of the visa page showing your initial
admission as a permanent resident, or other
evidence that you are a permanent resident; or
3. A copy of the Form I-797, Notice of Action,
approval notice of an application for
replacement of your Form I-551 or temporary
evidence of permanent resident status.

DRAFT

2. The person seeking advance parole attempts to
enter the United States before a decision is made
on the application.

Note: Do not use this form if you are seeking

release from immigration custody and you want to
remain in the United States as a parolee. You
should contact U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) about your request.

General Instructions
Step 1. Fill Out Form I-131
1. Type or print legibly in black ink.
2. If extra space is needed to complete any item, attach a
continuation sheet, indicate the item number, and date and
sign each sheet.
3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. State that an
item is not applicable with "N/A." If the answer is none,
write "None."

Step 2. General Requirements
1. Initial Evidence
We may request additional information or evidence, or we
may request that you appear at a USCIS office for an
interview or for fingerprinting (See "Biometric Services
Requirement"). You must file your application with all
required evidence. Not submitting required evidence will
delay the issuance of the document you are requesting.
All applications must include a copy of an official photo
identity document showing your photo, name, and date
of birth. (Example: a valid government-issued driver's
license; passport identity page; Form I-551, Permanent
Resident Card; or any other official identity document.)
The copy must clearly show the photo and identity
information. Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Document, is
not acceptable as a photo identity document.

B. Refugee Travel Document
You must attach a copy of the document issued to
you by USCIS showing your refugee or asylee
status and the expiration date of such status.

C. Advance Parole Document
1. If you are in the United States, you must attach:
a. A copy of any document issued to you by
USCIS showing your present status in the
United States; and
b. An explanation or other evidence showing
the circumstances that warrant issuance of an
Advance Parole Document; or
c. If you are an applicant for adjustment of
status, a copy of a USCIS receipt as evidence
that you filed the adjustment application; or
d. If you are traveling to Canada to apply for an
immigrant visa, a copy of the U.S. consular
appointment letter; or
e. If you are the surviving spouse of a U.S.
citizen who died before the second
anniversary of your marriage, or you are the
qualified child of a surviving spouse, and you
have been granted deferred action (or
included in your parent's deferred action
grant letter), you must file Form I-131 with a
copy of the order, notice, or document
placing you in deferred action. If you are a
qualified child and you are requesting
advance parole, you must submit a separate
application.
Form I-131 Instructions (Rev. 06/15/09)Y Page 4

2. If you are applying for a person who is outside the
United States, you must attach:
a. A statement of how and by whom medical care,
transportation, housing, and other expenses and
subsistence needs will be met; and
b. An Affidavit of Support (Form I-134), with
evidence of the sponsor's occupation and ability
to provide necessary support; and
c. A statement explaining why a U.S. visa cannot
be obtained, including when and where attempts
were made to obtain a visa; and

Passport-style photos must be 2" x 2." The photos
must be in color with full face, frontal view on a white
to off-white background. Head height should measure
1" to 1 3/8" from top of hair to bottom of chin, and eye
height is between 1 1/8" to 1 3/8" from bottom of
photo. Your head must be bare unless you are wearing
a headdress as required by a religious order of which
you are a member. Using pencil or felt pen, lightly
print your name and A-Number on the back of the
photo.
B. If the person seeking advance parole is outside the
United States:

d. A statement explaining why a waiver of
inadmissibility cannot be obtained to allow
issuance of a visa, including when and where
attempts were made to obtain a waiver, and a
copy of any DHS decision on your waiver
request; and

1. If you are applying for an Advance Parole
Document, and you are outside the United States, do
not submit the photographs with your application.
Prior to issuing the parole document, the U.S.
Embassy or consulate or DHS office abroad will
provide you with information regarding the
photograph requirements.

e. A copy of any decision on an immigrant petition
filed for the person, and evidence regarding any
pending immigrant petition; and

2. If you are filing this application for an Advance
Parole Document for another person, submit the
required photographs of the person to be paroled.

DRAFT

f. A complete description of the emergent reasons
explaining why advance parole should be
authorized and including copies of any evidence
you wish considered, and indicating the length of
time for which the parole is requested; and
g. Two completed fingerprint cards (FD-258). You
must indicate your Alien Registration Number
(A-Number) on the fingerprint card and ensure
that the completed cards are not bent, folded, or
creased. The fingerprint cards must be prepared
by a U.S. Embassy or consulate, USCIS office, or
U.S. military installation.

2. Photographs
A. If you are outside the United States and filing for a
Refugee Travel Document, or if you are in the United
States and filing for Advance Parole Document:
You must submit two identical color photographs of
yourself taken within 30 days of the filing of this
application.
The photos must have a white to off-white background,
be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be
unmounted and unretouched.
NOTE: Because of the current USCIS scanning
process, if a digital photo is submitted, it needs to be
produced from a high-resolution camera that has at
least 3.5 mega pixels of resolution.

3. Biometric Services Requirement
If you are between age 14 through 79 and you are
applying for a Refugee Travel Document or Reentry
Permit, you must be fingerprinted as part of USCIS
biometric services requirements. After you have filed this
application, USCIS will notify you in writing of the time
and location where you must go to be fingerprinted. If
necessary, USCIS may also take your photograph and
signature. Failure to appear to be fingerprinted or for other
biometric services may result in a denial of your
application. All applicants for Reentry Permit and/or
Refugee Travel Documents between the ages of 14
through 79 are required to pay the additional $80
biometric fee. (See "What Is the Filing Fee" on Page 8).

Invalidation of Travel Document
Any travel document obtained by making a material false
representation or concealment in this application will be
invalid.
A travel document will also be invalid if you are ordered
removed or deported from the United States.
In addition, a Refugee Travel Document will be invalid if the
United Nations Convention of July 28, 1951, shall cease to
apply or shall not apply to you as provided in Articles 1C, D,
E, or F of the Convention.

Form I-131 Instructions (Rev. 06/15/09)Y Page 5

3. Advance Parole

Copies

Unless specifically required that an original document be filed
with an application or petition, an ordinary legible photocopy
may be submitted. Original documents submitted when not
required will remain a part of the record, even if the
submission was not required.

Translations

Any document containing a foreign language submitted to
USCIS shall be accompanied by a full English language
translation, which the translator has certified as complete and
accurate, and by the translator's certification that he or she is
competent to translate from the foreign language into English.

Expedite Request Instructions

Submit Form I-131 either concurrently with Form
I-485 or alone to the same address you used to file your
I-485. (A complete list of the adjustment-of-status
applications filed with USCIS Chicago Lockbox
Facility is found on Form I-485.)
USCIS Lockbox Addresses:
For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:

DRAFT

Expedited applications for Reentry Permit or Refugee Travel
Document. When mailing in this request, notate the outside of
the envelope with the word EXPEDITE. We recommend that
two pre-paid, self-addressed express mailers, e-mail addresses,
and a fax number be provided with any expedite request for
the Reentry Permit or Refugee Travel Document. If the
expedite request is granted and you provide prepaid, selfaddressed express mailers, we will use the pre-paid mailers to
send you the ASC appointment notice and travel document
upon completion. If you do not provide pre-paid mailers, the
appointment notice and travel document will be sent via
regular mail.

Where To File?
E-Filing Form I-131
Certain Form I-131 filings may be electronically filed (e-filed)
with USCIS. View our Web site at www.uscis.gov for a list of
who is eligible to e-file this form and instructions.
1. Travel Documents
If you are applying for a Refugee Travel Document based
on your refugee or asylum status or you are a permanent
resident as a direct result of your refugee or asylee status in
the United States, file your Form I-131 with the Nebraska
Service Center at the below address:
USCIS Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87131
Lincoln, NE 68501-7131
2. Reentry Permits
If you are a lawful permanent resident or a conditional
permanent resident and are applying for a Reentry Permit,
file your Form I-131 with the Nebraska Service Center at
the address below:
USCIS Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87131
Lincoln, NE 68501-7131

A. For Form I-485 filed with USCIS Chicago Lockbox
Facility:

USCIS
P.O. Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120

For private courier (non-USPS) deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: AOS
131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

B. For Form I-485 filed for battered spouses and
children:
If you are filing as a battered or abused spouse or child
and you are filing Form I-131 concurrently with Form
I-485, send both forms to the address you will use to
file Form I-485. If you are requesting advanced parole
based on a pending Form I-485, file your Form I-131
using the same address you used to file Form I-485.
C. For special immigrant international employees:
If you are a special immigrant international
organization employee or eligible relative, and you are
applying for advance parole concurrently with Form
I-485, use the filing address listed on Form I-485 for
both forms. If you are filing Form I-131 based on a
pending Form I-485, file Form I-131 with the
Nebraska Service Center using the following address:
USCIS Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87131
Lincoln, NE 68501-7131
D. For aliens granted refugee or asylee status who
have filed or will file Form I-485:
If you have been granted refugee or asylee status and
you are applying for advance parole concurrently with
Form I-485, use the filing address listed on Form I-485
for both forms. If you are filing Form I-131 based on a
pending Form I-485, file Form I-131 with the Service
Center where your Form I-485 is pending. (See
addresses to the Nebraska and Texas Service Centers
below.)
Form I-131 Instructions (Rev. 06/15/09)Y Page 6

E. For Immigrant Investors:
If you are an immigrant investor and you are applying
for advance parole concurrently with Form I-485, use
the filing address listed on Form I-485 for both forms.
If you are filing Form I-131 based on a pending Form
I-485, file Form I-131 with the Texas Service Center
using the following address:
USCIS Texas Service Center
P.O. Box 851182
Mesquite, TX 75185-1182
F. For applicants covered under the Haitian Refugee
Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA):

I. For Form I-485 filed at a USCIS Service Center
including the following:
1. Based on an underlying Form I-140 petition;
2. Based on an underlying Form I-360 petition not
previously mentioned; or
3. Others not previously mentioned.
If you are applying for advance parole concurrently
with Form I-485, use the filing address listed on
Form I-485 for both forms. If you are filing Form
I-131 based on a pending Form I-485, file Form
I-131 with the Nebraska Service Center or Texas
Service Center, depending on where you live.

DRAFT

If you are either the dependent spouse or child of a
HRIFA principal or a HRIFA principal who has Form
I-485 pending, you may file your Form I-131 using the
following address:
USCIS Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87245
Lincoln, NE 68501-7245

For dependent spouse or dependent child covered under
the Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA)
outside the United States: If you are the spouse or child
of a principal HRIFA applicant and are seeking
advance parole to enter the United States to file for
adjustment of status as a permanent resident, you may
file your Form I-131 using the following address:
USCIS Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87245
Lincoln, NE 68501-7131
G. For T nonimmigrant visa status holders and U
nonimmigrant visa status holders:
If you are a T nonimmigrant visa status holder or a U
nonimmigrant visa status holder, and you are filing
your Form I-131 concurrently with Form I-485, or you
are filing your Form I-131 based on a pending Form
I-485, file Form I-131 with the Vermont Service
Center using the following address:
USCIS Vermont Service Center
75 Lower Welden Street
St. Albans, VT 05479
H. For Surviving Spouses:
If you are the surviving spouse of a U.S. citizen who
died before the second anniversary of your marriage, or
you are the qualified child of a surviving spouse, and
you have been granted deferred action (or included in
your parent's deferred action grant letter), you must file
your Form I-131 at the following address:
USCIS Vermont Service Center
75 Lower Welden Street
St. Albans, VT 05479

1. Nebraska Service Center filings:
File your Form I-131 with the Nebraska Service
Center if you live in the following states: Alaska,
Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii,
Idaho, Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana,
Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South
Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, or
Wyoming.
USCIS Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87131
Lincoln, NE 68501-7131

2. Texas Service Center filings:
File your Form I-131 with the Texas Service
Center if you live in the following states:
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware,
Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New
York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico,
Rhode Island, South Carolina, Oklahoma,
Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S.
Virgin Islands, West Virginia, or the District of
Columbia.
USCIS Texas Service Center
P.O. Box 851182
Mesquite, TX 75185-1182
J. For individuals with Temporary Protected Status
(TPS)
If you have been granted Temporary Protected Status
and you are applying for advance parole, mail Form
I-131 to the Vermont Service Center, regardless of
where you live in the United States.
USCIS Vermont Service Center
Attn: I-131
75 Lower Welden Street
St. Albans, VT 05479-0001
Form I-131 Instructions (Rev. 06/15/09)Y Page 7

K. For beneficiaries outside the United States
making the request on humanitarian grounds, of
a Private Bill, or in removal proceedings:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: Chief, International Operations Division
(Humanitarian Parole)
20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Room 3300
Washington, DC 20529-2100
L. Questions Regarding Form I-131
For additional information about Form I-131, including
how to file your application or filing locations not
mentioned, call the USCIS National Customer Service
Center at 1-800-375-5283 or visit our Web site at
www.uscis.gov.

2. Make the check or money order payable to U.S.
Department of Homeland Security, unless:
A. If you live in Guam, make it payable to Treasurer,
Guam.
B. If you live in the U.S. Virgin Islands, make it payable
to Commissioner of Finance of the Virgin Islands.
NOTE: Spell out U.S. Department of Homeland Security; do
not use the initials "USDHS" or "DHS."
Notice to Those Making Payment by Check. If you send us
a check, it will be converted into an electronic funds transfer
(EFT). This means we will copy your check and use the
account information on it to electronically debit your account
for the amount of the check. The debit from your account will
usually take 24 hours and will be shown on your regular
account statement.

DRAFT

What Is the Filing Fee?
The fee for this application is $305 and may not be waived
(See NOTE that follows for when this fee may not apply.) The
biometric fee is $80 for applicants ages 14 through 79 who
request a Refugee Travel Document or Reentry Permit, unless
the applicant resides outside the United States at the time of
filing his or her form. See 8 CFR 103.2(e)(4)(ii)(A). The
application fee and biometrics services fee may be paid with
one $385 check. Persons financially unable to pay the
required biometric services fee may submit a fee waiver
request, with supporting documentation, as described in 8
CFR 103.7(c). USCIS will inform you regarding the approval
or denial of your fee waiver request.
NOTE: If you filed Form I-485 on or after July 30, 2007, and
you paid the I-485 application fee required, then no fee is
required to file a request for Advance Parole or for a Refugee
Travel Document on Form I-131. You may file Form I-131 for
advance parole or for a Refugee Travel Document
concurrently with your Form I-485, or you may submit Form
I-131 for advance parole or a Refugee Travel Document at a
later date. If you file Form I-131 for advance parole or a
refugee travel document separately, you must also submit a
copy of your Form I-797C, Notice of Action, receipt as
evidence that you filed and paid the fee for Form I-485
required on or after July 30, 2007.
Use the following guidelines when you prepare your check or
money order for the Form I-131 fee:
1. The check or money order must be drawn on a bank or
other financial institution located in the United States and
must be payable in U.S. currency; and

You will not receive your original check back. We will
destroy your original check, but we will keep a copy of it. If
the EFT cannot be processed for technical reasons, you
authorize us to process the copy in place of your original
check. If the EFT cannot be completed because of insufficient
funds, we may try to make the transfer up to two times.
How to Check If the Fees Are Correct
The form fee on this form is current as of the edition date
appearing in the lower right corner of this page. However,
because USCIS fees change periodically, you can verify if the
fees are correct by following one of the steps below:
1. Visit our Web site at www.uscis.gov, select
"Immigration Forms," and check the appropriate fee;
2. Review the Fee Schedule included in your form
package, if you called us to request the form; or
3. Telephone our National Customer Service Center at
1-800-375-5283 and ask for the fee information.

Address Changes
If you change your address and you have an application or
petition pending with USCIS, you may change your address
online at www.uscis.gov, click on "Change your address with
USCIS," and follow the prompts. You may also complete and
mail Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card, to:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Change of Address
P.O. Box 7134
London, KY 40742-7134
For commercial overnight or fast freight services only, mail to:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Change of Address
1084-I South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744
Form I-131 Instructions (Rev.06/15/09)Y Page 8

Processing Information

USCIS Forms and Information

Any Form I-131 that is not signed or accompanied by the
correct fee(s) will be rejected with a notice that Form I-131
is deficient. You may correct the deficiency and resubmit
Form I-131. An application or petition is not considered
properly filed until accepted by USCIS.

To order USCIS forms, call our toll-free number at 1-800870-3676. You can also get USCIS forms and information on
immigration laws, regulations, and procedures by telephoning
our National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 or
visiting our Internet Web site at www.uscis.gov.

Initial Processing

As an alternative to waiting in line for assistance at your local
USCIS office, you can now schedule an appointment through
our Internet-based system, InfoPass. To access the system,
visit our Web site. Use the InfoPass appointment scheduler
and follow the screen prompts to set up your appointment.
InfoPass generates an electronic appointment notice that
appears on the screen.

Once a Form I-131 has been accepted, it will be checked for
completeness, including submission of the required initial
evidence. If you do not completely fill out the form, or file it
without required initial evidence, you will not establish a basis
for eligibility, and we may deny your Form I-131.

DRAFT

Requests for More Information or Interview

We may request more information or evidence, or we may
request that you appear at a USCIS office for an interview. We
may also request that you submit the originals of any copy.
We will return these originals when they are no longer
required.

Decision

The decision on Form I-131 involves a determination of
whether you have established eligibility for the requested
benefit. You will be notified of the decision in writing.

What If You Claim Nonresident Alien Status on
Your Federal Income Tax Return?
If you are an alien who has established residence in the United
States after having been admitted as an immigrant or adjusted
status to that of an immigrant, and are considering the filing of
a nonresident alien tax return or the non-filing of a tax return
on the ground that you are a nonresident alien, you should
carefully review the consequences of such actions under the
Immigration and Nationality Act.
If you file a nonresident alien tax return or fail to file a tax
return, you may be regarded as having abandoned residence
in the United States and as having lost your permanent
resident status under the Act. As a consequence, you may be
ineligible for a visa or other document for which permanent
resident aliens are eligible.
You may also be inadmissible to the United States if you seek
admission as a returning resident, and you may become
ineligible for adjustment of status as a permanent resident, or
naturalization on the basis of your original entry.

Penalties

If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material
fact or submit a false document with Form I-131, we will deny
Form I-131 and may deny any other immigration benefit.
In addition, you will face severe penalties provided by law and
may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Privacy Act Notice
We ask for the information on this form, and associated
evidence, to determine if you have established eligibility for
the immigration benefit for which you are filing. Our legal
right to ask for this information can be found in the
Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. We may
provide this information to other government agencies. Failure
to provide this information, and any requested evidence, may
delay a final decision or result in denial of your Form I-131.

Paperwork Reduction Act
An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information
collection and a person is not required to respond to a
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid
OMB control number. The public reporting burden for this
collection of information is estimated at 1 hour and 55 minutes
per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
and completing and submitting the form. Send comments
regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this
collection of information, including suggestions for reducing
this burden, to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Regulatory Products Division, 111 Massachusetts Avenue,
N.W., 3rd Floor, Suite 3008, Washington, DC 20529-2210.
OMB No. 1615-0013. Do not mail your application to this
address.

Form I-131 Instructions (Rev.06/15/09)Y Page 9