Application for Travel Document

Instructions for Application for Travel Document
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS
Form I-131
OMB No. 1615-0013
Expires 03/31/2012

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
cannot be used to request release from immigration custody:
1. Re-entry Permit
A Re-entry 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.

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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 asylee 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

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may, as a matter of discretion, issue an Advance Parole Document to
authorize the parole of an alien into the United States. Parole allows an inadmissible person to physically proceed into
the United States for a specific purpose. A person who has been "paroled" has not been admitted to the United States,
and remains an "applicant for admission" even while paroled.
NOTE: If you are in the United States and wish to travel abroad after you file Form I-485, Application to Register
Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, you do not need to apply for Advance Parole if you are in one of the following
nonimmigrant categories and continue to remain eligible for that status:
a. An H-1, temporary worker, or H-4, spouse or child of an H-1;
b. An L-1, intracompany transferee, or L-2, spouse or child of an L-1;
c. A K-3, spouse, or K-4, child of a U.S. citizen; or

d. A V-2, spouse, or V-3, child of a lawful permanent resident.

NOTE: Upon returning to the United States, you must present your valid H, L, K, or V nonimmigrant visa and you
must continue to remain eligible for that status. If you obtained H, L, K, or V nonimmigrant status while you were in
the United States, then you need to obtain a H, L, K, or V nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. Department of State (DOS) visa
issuing post.
4. Humanitarian Parole, a form of Advance Parole for individuals outside the United States

Humanitarian Parole, a form of Advance Parole for individuals outside the United States, is an extraordinary measure
used sparingly to bring an otherwise inadmissible alien to the United States for a temporary period of time due to urgent
humanitarian reasons or for significant public benefit. Humanitarian Parole cannot be used to circumvent normal visa
issuing procedures and is not a means to bypass delays in visa issuance.

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Who May File Form I-131?
Each applicant must file a separate application for a travel document.
1. Re-entry 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. You must be physically present in the United States when you file the Re-entry Permit application
and also for completing the biometrics services requirement. After filing your application for a Re-entry Permit,
USCIS will inform you in writing when to go to your local Application Support Center (ASC) for your biometrics
services appointment. If biometrics services are required and if you depart the United States before the
biometrics are collected, the application may be denied. (See General Requirements, Item Number 3.,
"Biometrics Services Requirement".)
NOTE: If you request a Re-entry Permit when filing your application, it 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.

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With the exception of having to obtain a returning resident visa abroad, a Re-entry Permit does not relieve you of
any of the requirements of U.S. immigration laws.
NOTE: If you stay outside the United States for less than 1 year, you are not required to apply for a Re-entry
Permit. You may re-enter 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 1 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 1 year or more, you may be eligible to file Form N-470, Application to Preserve
Residence for Naturalization Purposes. For further information, contact your local USCIS office.
b. Validity of Re-entry Permit

(1) Generally, a Re-entry Permit issued to a permanent resident is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. See 8
CFR section 223.3(a)(1). However, if you have been outside the United States for more than 4 of the last 5
years since becoming a permanent resident 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 Re-entry 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.
(3) A Re-entry Permit may not be extended.
c. A Re-entry 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 1 year: If
you do not obtain a Re-entry Permit and remain outside the United States for 1 year or more, we may determine that
you have abandoned your permanent or conditional resident status.

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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. You should
apply for a Refugee Travel Document BEFORE you leave the United States. If biometrics services are required
and if you depart the United States before the biometrics are collected, the application may be denied.
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 services appointment. Generally, you must have a Refugee Travel Document
to return to the United States after temporary travel abroad. 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.
b. If you are outside of the United States and:
(1) Have valid refugee or asylee status; or

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(2) You are a permanent resident as a direct result of your refugee or asylee status in the United States, you may be
permitted to file Form I-131 and apply for a Refugee Travel Document. The USCIS Overseas District Director
with jurisdiction over your location makes this decision.
Applicants should only seek to file a Form I-131 application for a Refugee Travel Document if they are able to
demonstrate that an emergent situation led them to depart the United States without first seeking the appropriate
travel documents.
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 U.S. 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 INA,
8 U.S.C. 1158(c)(2)(D).
c. Validity of Refugee Travel Document

(1) A Refugee Travel Document is valid for 1 year.

(2) A Refugee Travel Document may not be extended.

d. 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.
NOTICE to permanent residents who obtain permanent residence as a result of their refugee or asylee
status: If you do not obtain a Re-entry Permit and remain outside the United States for 1 year or more, we may
determine that you have abandoned your permanent resident status.
3. Advance Parole Document
a. If you are in the United States and seek Advance Parole, you may apply if:
(1) You have a pending application to adjust status, Form I-485, and you seek to travel abroad for emergent
personal or bona fide business reasons; or
(2) You have a pending application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) (Form I-821), or have been granted
TPS, or have been granted another immigration status that allows you to return to that status. Whether you are
permitted to retain TPS upon your return will depend on whether your absence from the United States was
"brief, casual, and innocent" as defined in 8 CFR 244.1.

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Important: If you have a TPS or other application pending and you leave the United States on Advance Parole,
you may miss important notices from USCIS regarding your application, including requests for additional evidence.
If you do not respond timely to these notices, USCIS may deem your application abandoned, and you will not
receive the benefit you seek. It is very important that you make appropriate arrangements to ensure that you do not
miss any such important notices.
(3) Your Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, was approved, or U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deferred action in your case as a childhood arrival; AND
You are traveling outside the United States for:
(a) Educational purposes, such as semester abroad programs and academic research;
(b) Employment purposes, such as overseas assignments, interviews, conferences, training, meetings with
clients; or

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(c) Humanitarian purposes, including travel to obtain medical treatment, attend funeral services for a family
member, or visit an ailing relative.
Check Item Number 1.d. in Part 2 of the form.

Travel for vacation is not a valid purpose. You must NOT file Form I-131 with your deferred action request or
your package will be rejected and returned to you.
b. Travel Warning

Before you apply for an Advance Parole Document, read the following travel warning carefully.
For any kind of Advance Parole provided to you while you are in the United States:

(1) Leaving the United States with an Advance Parole Document is a “departure” from the United States for all
purposes under the U.S. immigration laws except that it is not a “departure” solely for purposes of inadmissibility
under INA section 212(a)(9)(B) (inadmissibility due to prior unlawful presence), if you are paroled into the
United States on the basis of such document. Any other departures without first obtaining Advance Parole may
subject you to the inadmissibility provisions of INA 212(a)(9)(B).
(2) If you use an Advance Parole Document to leave and return to the United States, you will, upon your return to
the United States, be an “applicant for admission.”
(3) As an applicant for admission, you will be subject to inspection at a port-of-entry, and you may be denied
admission if you are found to be inadmissible under any provision of INA section 212(a) that applies to you.
The inadmissibility could be based on INA section 212(a)(9)(B) as a result of prior unlawful presence, if after
being unlawfully present for more than 180 days, you made any departure(s) from the United States without
first obtaining a grant of Advance Parole.
(4) Issuance of an Advance Parole Document does not guarantee that DHS will parole you into the United States
upon your return.
(5) DHS will make a separate decision about whether to parole you each time you use an Advance Parole
Document to return to the United States.
(6) If, upon your return, you are paroled into the United States, you will remain an applicant for admission.
(7) DHS may revoke or terminate your Advance Parole Document. Even if you have already been paroled, upon
your return to the United States, DHS may also revoke or terminate your actual parole, under 8 CFR 212.5.
If you are outside the United States, revocation or termination of your Advance Parole Document may cause
you to be unable to return to the United States unless you have a valid visa or other document that permits you
to travel to the United States and seek admission.

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(8) If you are in the United States when DHS revokes or terminates your parole, you will return to the status of an
unparoled applicant for admission, and may be subject to removal under INA section 212, rather than INA
section 237.
In addition to the above, if you received Deferred Action as a Childhood Arrival (DACA), you should also be aware
of the following:
(a) Even after USCIS has approved your request for Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals, you must not travel outside the United States, unless USCIS has approved your application for
Advance Parole. Deferred action will terminate automatically if you travel outside the United States
without obtaining an Advance Parole Document from USCIS.
(b) If you obtain an Advance Parole Document in connection with an approved request for Consideration of
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and if upon your return, you are paroled into the United States,
USCIS will continue to defer your removal for the period set forth in your Form I-821D approval notice or
until the decision to defer removal action in your case has been terminated, whichever is earlier.

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(c) If USCIS has deferred action in your case after you have been ordered deported or removed and you
obtain an Advance Parole Document, before you actually leave the United States, you should seek to
reopen your case before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and obtain administrative
closure or termination of your removal proceedings. Even after you have asked EOIR to reopen your
case, you should not leave the United States until after EOIR has granted your request. If you depart after
being ordered deported or removed, and your removal proceeding has not been reopened and
administratively closed or terminated, your departure may result in your being considered deported or
removed, with potentially serious future immigration consequences.
c. If you are in the United States and seek Advance Parole, 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, unless you have received Deferred
Action as a Childhood Arrival (DACA). You may, however, request parole from ICE. See NOTE below.
d. If you travel before the Advance Parole document is issued, your application will be considered abandoned if:
(1) You depart the United States; or

(2) You attempt 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 ICE about your request.
4. Humanitarian Parole, a form of Advance Parole for individuals outside the United States

If you are outside the United States and need to visit the United States temporarily for an urgent humanitarian
reason or for significant public benefit:
a. 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.
b. A person in the United States may file this application on your behalf. This person must complete Part 1. of the
form with information about him or herself.
c. If you entered the United States with Humanitarian Parole and need to remain in the United States beyond the
authorized parole period to accomplish the purpose for which parole was approved you must re-file Form I-131
with all supporting documentation.
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 ICE about your request.
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General Instructions
If you are completing this form on a computer, the data you enter will be captured using 2D barcode technology. This
capture will ensure that the data you provide is accurately entered into USCIS systems. As you complete each field, the
2D barcode field at the bottom of each page will shift as data is captured. Upon receipt of your form, USCIS will use the
2D barcode to extract the data from the form. Please do not damage the 2D barcode (puncture, staple, spill on, write on,
etc.) as this could affect the ability of USCIS to timely process your form.
Each application must be properly signed and accompanied by the appropriate fee. (See the section entitled "What is the
Filing Fee?") A photocopy of a signed application or a typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable.
If you are under 14 years of age, your parent or legal guardian may sign the application on your behalf.
Evidence. You must submit all required initial evidence along with all the supporting documentation with your
application at the time of filing. If you are electronically filing this application, you must follow the instructions provided
on the USCIS Web site, www.uscis.gov.

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Biometrics Services Appointment. After receiving your application and ensuring completeness, USCIS will inform you
in writing when to go to your local USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) for your biometrics services appointment.
Failure to attend the biometrics services appointment may result in denial of your application.
Copies. Unless specifically required that an original document be filed with an application or petition, a legible
photocopy may be submitted. Original documents submitted when not required may remain a part of the record, and will
not be automatically returned to you.
Translations. Any document containing foreign language submitted to USCIS must 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.
How To 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, write your name and Alien Registration
Number (A-Number) (if any), at the top of each sheet of paper; indicate the Part and Item Numbers to which your
answer refers; and date and sign each sheet.
3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. If an item is not applicable or the answer is none, leave the answer blank.

General Requirements
1. Initial Evidence
All applications must include a copy of an official photo identity document showing your photo, name, and date of
birth. (Examples: Your current Employment Authorization Document, if available; 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.
You must file your application with all required evidence. Not submitting required evidence will delay the issuance of the
document you are requesting. 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 this section "Biometric Services Requirement" of these
instructions).

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If you are applying for:
a. Re-entry 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.
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.

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c. Advance Parole Document

If you are in the United States, you must attach:

(1) A copy of any document issued to you by USCIS showing your present status in the United States; and
(2) An explanation or other evidence showing the circumstances that warrant issuance of an Advance Parole
Document; or
(3) If you are an applicant for adjustment of status, a copy of a USCIS receipt as evidence that you filed the
adjustment application; or
(4) If you are traveling to Canada to apply for an immigrant visa, a copy of the U.S. consular appointment letter; or
(5) If your application is based on an approved Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals, you must include a copy of the Form I-797, Notice of Action, showing your Form I-821D was
approved. If ICE deferred action in your case as a childhood arrival, submit a copy of the approval order,
notice or letter issued by ICE.
You must complete Part 4. of the form indicating how your intended travel fits within one of the three
purposes below. You must also provide evidence of your reason for travel outside of the United States
including the date(s) of travel and the expected duration outside the United States. If your Advance Parole
application is approved, the validity date(s) of your Advance Parole Document will be for the duration of the
documented need for travel. Below are examples of acceptable evidence:
Educational Purposes

(a) A letter from a school employee acting in an official capacity describing the purpose of the travel and
explaining why travel is required or beneficial; or
(b) A document showing enrollment in an educational program requiring travel.
Employment Purposes
A letter from your employer or a conference host describing the need for the travel.
Humanitarian Purposes
(a) A letter from your physician explaining the nature of your medical condition, the specific medical
treatment to be sought outside of the United States, and a brief explanation why travel outside the U.S. is
medically necessary; or
(b) Documentation of a family member's serious illness or death.

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d. Humanitarian Parole, a form of Advance Parole for individuals outside the United States
If you are applying for Humanitarian Parole for a person who is outside the United States, you must attach:
(1) A complete description of the urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reason for which Humanitarian
Parole is requested and include copies of any evidence you wish to be considered, which indicate the length of
time for which the parole is requested;
(2) If Humanitarian Parole is requested for medical reasons, evidence from medical professionals that establishes
the medical need, a statement of how and by whom medical care, transportation, housing, and other expenses
and subsistence needs will be met;
(3) An Affidavit of Support (Form I-134), with evidence of the sponsor's occupation and ability to provide
necessary support;
(4) A statement explaining why a U.S. visa cannot be obtained, including when and where attempts were made to
obtain a visa, or an explanation of why a visa was not sought to enter the United States;

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(5) 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 or an explanation of why a waiver has not been sought; and
(6) A copy of any decision on an immigrant petition filed for the person seeking to enter the United States, and
evidence regarding any pending immigrant petition.
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 an Advance Parole Document:
You must submit 2 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.
Passport-style photos must be 2" x 2." The photos must be in color with full face, frontal view on a white to offwhite 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 denomination 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 applying for Humanitarian Parole, a form of Advance Parole for individuals outside the United States:
(1) If you are applying for Humanitarian Parole, and you are outside the United States, submit photographs with
your application.
(2) If you are filing Humanitarian Parole on behalf of another person, submit the required photographs of the
person to be paroled.
3. Biometrics Services Requirement
a. All applicants for a Refugee Travel Document or a Re-entry Permit must complete biometrics at an ASC or if
applying for a Refugee Travel Document while outside of the U.S. at an overseas USCIS facility. If you are
between age 14 through 79 and you are applying for a Refugee Travel Document or Re-entry Permit, you must also
be fingerprinted as part of USCIS biometrics services requirement. After you have filed this application, USCIS
will notify you in writing of the time and location for your biometrics services appointment. Failure to appear to be
fingerprinted or for other biometrics services may result in a denial of your application.
b. All applicants for Re-entry Permits and/or Refugee Travel Documents between the ages of 14 through 79 are
required to pay the additional $85 biometrics services fee. (See the section entitled "What Is the Filing Fee?")

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c. If you are outside the U.S. and are applying for an Advance Parole Document for humanitarian reasons or for
significant public benefit, USCIS will notify you in writing whether biometric collection is required. If required,
USCIS will advise you of the location for your biometrics services appointment.
4. 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.
Expedite Request Instructions
To request expedited processing of an application for a Re-entry Permit, Refugee Travel Document or Humanitarian
Parole for an individual outside the United States, write the word EXPEDITE in the top right corner of the application in
black ink. We recommend providing e-mail addresses and a fax number with any expedite request for the Re-entry
Permit, Refugee Travel Document, or Humanitarian Parole.

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What Is the Filing Fee?

Re-entry Permit: The filing fee for a Re-entry Permit is $360. A biometrics services fee of $85 is required for applicants
ages 14-79.
Refugee Travel Document: The filing fee for a Refugee Travel Document for an applicant age 16 or older is $135. The
fee for a child younger than 16 is $105. A biometrics services fee of $85 is required for applicants ages 14 through 79.
Advance Parole (including individuals who received Deferred Action as a Childhood Arrival (DACA)): The filing fee for
Advance Parole is $360. The biometrics services fee is not required.
Humanitarian Parole: The filing fee for a Humanitarian Parole request is $360. The biometrics services fee is not
required. The filing fee may be waived based upon a demonstrated inability to pay. Applicants should file Form I-912,
Fee Waiver Request when filing this form to ensure such requests are supported in accordance with 8 CFR 103.7(c).
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 Refugee Travel Documents on Form I-131 if your Form I-485 is still
pending, if:
1. You now hold U.S. refugee or asylee status, and are applying for a Refugee Travel Document (see Form I-131,
Part 2., Application Type, Item Number 1.b.); or
2. You are applying for an Advance Parole Document to allow you to return to the United States after temporary foreign
travel (see Form I-131, Part 2., Application Type, Item Number 1.d.).
Under these circumstances, you may file Form I-131 together with your Form I-485, or you may submit Form I-131 at a
later date. If you file Form I-131 separately, you must also submit a copy of your Form I-797, Notice of Action, receipt as
evidence that you filed and paid the fee for Form I-485 required on or after July 30, 2007.
Replacement Travel Document: If you are filing to replace a travel document that was lost, stolen, mutilated, or contains
erroneous information, such as a misspelled name, a filing fee is required.
NOTE: If you are requesting a replacement Advance Parole Document as an adjustment applicant filed under the fee
structure implemented July 30, 2007, then the full filing fee will be required; however, no biometrics services fee is
required.
Incorrect Card: No fee is required if you are filing to correct a USCIS error on your travel document. If USCIS did not
cause the error, you must pay the application fees.

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Use the following guidelines when you prepare your check or money order for the Form I-131 fees:
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
2. Make the check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
NOTE: Spell out U.S. Department of Homeland Security; do not use the initials "USDHS" or "DHS."
3. If you live outside the United States, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate for instructions on the method of
payment.
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.

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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 filing and biometrics services fees on this form are current as of the edition date appearing in the lower left 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 the USCIS Web site at www.uscis.gov, select "FORMS," and check the appropriate fee; or
2. Telephone the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 and ask for the fee information. For TDD
(hearing impaired) call: 1-800-767-1833.

Where to File?

Please see our Web site at www.uscis.gov/I-131 or call our USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283
for the most current information about where to file this benefit request. For TDD (hearing impaired) call: 1-800-767-1833.

Address Changes

If you have changed your address, you must inform USCIS of your new address. For information on filing a change of
address go to the USCIS Web site at www.uscis.gov/addresschange or contact the USCIS National Customer Service
Center at 1-800-375-5283. For TDD (hearing impaired) call: 1-800-767-1833.
NOTE: Do not submit a change of address to the USCIS Lockbox facilities because the USCIS Lockbox facilities do
not process change of address requests.

Processing 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.
Initial Processing
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.

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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
document. 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 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 INA.
If you file a nonresident alien tax return or do not 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 INA. As a consequence, you may be
ineligible for a visa or other document for which permanent resident aliens are eligible.

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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.

USCIS Forms and Information

To ensure you are using the latest version of this form, visit the USCIS Web site at www.uscis.gov where you can obtain
the latest USCIS forms and immigration-related information. If you do not have internet access, you may order USCIS
forms by calling our toll-free number at 1-800-870-3676. You may also obtain forms and information by telephoning our
USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. For TDD (hearing impaired) call: 1-800-767-1833.
As an alternative to waiting in line for assistance at your local USCIS office, you can now schedule an appointment
through the USCIS Internet-based system, InfoPass. To access InfoPass, please visit the USCIS 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.

Penalties

If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material fact or submit a false document with this request, we will
deny your 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.

USCIS Privacy Act Statement
AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this form, and the associated evidence, is collected under the
Immigration and Nationality Act, section 101, et seq.
PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this form is to determine if you have
established eligibility for the immigration benefit for which you are filing. The information you provide will be used to
grant or deny the benefit sought.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, and
any requested evidence, may delay a final decision or result in denial of your form.
ROUTINE USES: The information you provide on this form may be shared with other Federal, State, local, and foreign
government agencies and authorized organizations following approved routine uses described in the associated published
system of records notices [DHS-USCIS-007 - Benefits Information System and DHS-USCIS-001 - Alien File, Index,
and National File Tracking System of Records, which can be found at www.dhs.gov/privacy]. The information may
also be made available, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.
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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 3 hours and 34 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
Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 20 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20529-2140; OMB
No 1615-0013. Do not mail your completed Form I-131 to this address.

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