TABLE OF CHANGES – Instructions
Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation)
OMB Number: 1615-0135
Date 07/14/2020
Reason for Revision: Fee Rule Project Phase: OMB Review
Legend for Proposed Text:
Expires 02/28/2021 Edition Date 02/13/2019 |
Current Page Number and Section |
Current Text |
Proposed Text |
Page 1,
What Is the Purpose of Form I-131A?
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[Page 1]
What Is the Purpose of Form I-131A?
United States laws impose penalties on carriers who bring to the United States an individual who is not in possession of a valid passport and any required visa. If you are a lawful permanent resident (LPR) or conditional permanent resident (conditional LPR) of the United States traveling overseas temporarily, you may ordinarily use your Permanent Resident Card or a Reentry Permit, in place of a visa. If you are not in possession of a valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card or Reentry Permit (for example, your card or permit was lost, stolen, destroyed, or mutilated), you may experience difficulties when you attempt to return to the United States.
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This application allows individuals in this situation to apply for a Travel Document (Transportation Letter or Boarding Foil). If the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determines that the applicant remains an LPR or conditional LPR, DHS may, as a matter of discretion on a case by case basis, provide a Travel Document. The Travel Document may be a foil placed in the applicant’s passport or a boarding letter. If DHS provides a Travel Document, the applicant may present the document to the carrier destined for the United States. Generally, a Travel Document is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
Warnings
1. A Travel Document only allows you to demonstrate to the commercial carrier that you are not required to provide a visa at the time that you apply for admission or otherwise seek lawful entry into the United States at a U.S. Port-of-Entry (POE); it is not a guarantee of admission to, or other form of entry into, the United States. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will carry out all the required inspection procedures, including determining admissibility or ability to enter, upon your arrival at a POE.
2. DHS may revoke or terminate your Travel Document at any time, with or without notice. That revocation or termination could have implications for your travel.
Need to Replace or Renew Permanent Resident Card
If you no longer have your Permanent Resident Card, or it has expired, you must apply for a new Permanent Resident Card. The issuance of a Travel Document does not take the place of obtaining a new Permanent Resident Card. To apply for a replacement or renewal of your Permanent Resident Card, you must file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/I-90 for more information.
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[Page 1]
What Is the Purpose of Form I-131A?
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If you are not an LPR or a conditional LPR, but you received an advance parole document (Form I-512/Form I-512L) or travel endorsement on an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766), and your document was lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged while you are traveling overseas temporarily, you may also experience difficulties when you attempt to return to the United States. Parole allows an alien to physically enter the United States for a specific purpose. An individual who has been “paroled” has not been admitted to the United States and remains an “applicant for admission” even while paroled.
This application allows individuals in these situations to apply for Carrier Documentation (Transportation Letter or Boarding Foil). If the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determines that the applicant remains an LPR or conditional LPR, or had previously received an advance parole document or travel endorsement on an Employment Authorization Document that is still valid, DHS may, as a matter of discretion on a case by case basis, provide a Carrier Document. The Carrier Document may be a foil placed in the applicant’s passport or a boarding letter. If DHS provides a Carrier Document, the applicant may present the document to the carrier destined for the United States. Generally, a Carrier Document is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
Warnings
1. A Carrier Document only allows you to demonstrate to the commercial carrier that you are not required to provide a visa at the time that you apply for admission or otherwise seek lawful entry into the United States at a U.S. Port-of-Entry (POE); it is not a guarantee of admission to, or other form of entry into, the United States. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will carry out all the required inspection procedures, including determining admissibility or ability to enter, upon your arrival at a POE.
2. DHS may revoke or terminate your Carrier Document at any time, with or without notice. That revocation or termination could have implications for your travel.
Need to Replace or Renew Permanent Resident Card
If you no longer have your Permanent Resident Card, or it has expired, you must apply for a new Permanent Resident Card. The issuance of a Carrier Document does not take the place of obtaining a new Permanent Resident Card. To apply for a replacement or renewal of your Permanent Resident Card, you must file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/I-90 for more information.
Need to Replace Advance Parole Document
If you no longer have your Employment Authorization Document with travel endorsement and you choose to replace it, you must file Form I-765 and Form I-131 with USCIS. The issuance of a Carrier Document does not take the place of obtaining a new Employment Authorization Document. Visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/I-765 and www.uscis.gov/I-131 for more information.
If you no longer have your Form I-512/I-512L, Advance Parole Document, and are still in the United States, you must file Form I-131 with USCIS.
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Pages 1-2,
Who May File Form I-131A?
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[Page 1]
Who May File Form I-131A?
You may file Form I-131A to apply for a Travel Document if:
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5. You are not in possession of a valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card or Reentry Permit (for example, your card or permit was lost, stolen, destroyed, or mutilated) or other authorization to apply for admission to, or otherwise seek lawful entry into, the United States.
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Who is NOT eligible to receive a Travel Document?
DHS retains the discretion to determine, on a case by case basis, to whom it is appropriate to provide a Travel Document. Some of the reasons that DHS may decline to provide you with a Travel Document are:
1. You are physically present in the United States;
2. You are no longer a LPR or conditional LPR of the United States; or
3. You were issued a Travel Document and it is still valid, unless the prior document was returned to DHS or was lost, stolen, destroyed, or mutilated.
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[Page 1]
Who May File Form I-131A?
You may file Form I-131A to apply for a Carrier Document if:
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5. You are not in possession of a valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card or Reentry Permit (for example, your card or permit was lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged) or other authorization to apply for admission to, or otherwise seek lawful entry into, the United States.
You may also file Form I-131A if you meet all of the following criteria:
1. You received an Advance Parole Document (Form I-512/Form I-512L) or Employment Authorization Card (Form I-766) with travel endorsement;
2. The Advance Parole Document (Form I-512/Form I-512L) or an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) with travel endorsement has not been revoked;
3. You wish to return to the United States after a temporary absence prior to the expiration of that Advance Parole Document (Form I-512/Form I-512L), or Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) with travel endorsement;
4. You are not in possession of a valid, unexpired Advance Parole Document (Form I-512/Form I-512L) or Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) with travel endorsement because it was lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged.
Who is NOT eligible to receive a Carrier Document?
DHS retains the discretion to determine, on a case by case basis, to whom it is appropriate to provide a Carrier Document. Some of the reasons that DHS may decline to provide you with a Carrier Document are:
1. You are physically present in the United States;
2. You are no longer a LPR or conditional LPR of the United States;
3. You were issued a Carrier Document and it is still valid, unless the prior document was returned to DHS or was lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged; or
4. Your Advance Parole Document (Form I-512/Form I-512L) or Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) with travel endorsement has expired or will expire, or is revoked, prior to your date of return to the United States.
NOTE: This form should not be used to apply for or replace Humanitarian Parole. Please see the Instructions for Form I-131 if you seek to apply for Humanitarian Parole.
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Pages 2-4,
General Instructions
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Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/I-131A or contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate for the most current information about where to file this application.
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4. USCIS Online Account Number (if any). If you have previously filed an application, petition, or request using the USCIS online filing system (previously called USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS)), provide the USCIS Online Account Number you were issued by the system. You can find your USCIS Online Account Number by logging in to your account and going to the profile page. If you previously filed certain applications, petitions, or requests on a paper form via a USCIS Lockbox facility, you may have received a USCIS Online Account Access Notice issuing you a USCIS Online Account Number. If you received such a notice, your USCIS Online Account Number can be found at the top of the notice. If you were issued a USCIS Online Account Number, enter it in the space provided. The USCIS Online Account Number is not the same as an A-Number. …
8. Part 7. Additional Information. If you need extra space to provide any additional information within this application, use the space provided in Part 7. Additional Information. If you need more space than what is provided in Part 7., you may make copies of Part 7. to complete and file with your application, or attach a separate sheet of paper. Include your name and A-Number (if any) at the top of each sheet; indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer refers; and sign and date each sheet.
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Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/I-131A or go to travel.state.gov for information on contacting the Visa Section or Consular Section in your nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate for the most current information about where to file this application.
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4. USCIS Online Account Number. If you have previously filed an application, petition, or request using the USCIS online filing system (previously called USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS)), provide the USCIS Online Account Number you were issued by the system. You can find your USCIS Online Account Number by logging in to your account and going to the profile page. If you previously filed certain applications, petitions, or requests on a paper form via a USCIS Lockbox facility, you may have received a USCIS Online Account Access Notice issuing you a USCIS Online Account Number. If you received such a notice, your USCIS Online Account Number can be found at the top of the notice. If you were issued a USCIS Online Account Number, enter it in the space provided. The USCIS Online Account Number is not the same as an A-Number. …
8. Part 7. Additional Information. If you need extra space to provide any additional information within this application, use the space provided in Part 7. Additional Information. If you need more space than what is provided in Part 7., you may make copies of Part 7. to complete and file with your application, or attach a separate sheet of paper. Include your name and A-Number at the top of each sheet; indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer refers; and sign and date each sheet.
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Page 4,
What Evidence Should You Submit?
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2. Evidence of your LPR or conditional LPR status (if available) (for example, a copy of your Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), your immigrant visa, or the CBP admission stamp in your passport);
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[Page 4]
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2. If you are permanent resident, evidence of your LPR or conditional LPR status (if available) (for example, a copy of your Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), your immigrant visa, or the CBP admission stamp in your passport). If you are not a permanent resident, but have advance parole, evidence of your advance parole, if available (for example a copy of your Advance Parole Document (Form I-512/Form I-512L)) or a copy of your Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) with travel endorsement;
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Page 4,
What Is the Filing Fee?
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What Is the Filing Fee?
The filing fee for Form I-131A is $575. No biometric services fee is required for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) applicants. The fee for this application must be paid online via the USCIS online filing system at www.uscis.gov, by selecting “FORMS,” and navigating to Form I-131A. The fee may be paid via credit card, debit card or U.S. bank account via Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment system.
NOTE: The filing fee is not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on this application.
There is no waiver of the filing fee for Form I-131A.
How To Check If the Fees Are Correct
Form I-131A’s filing fee is current as of the edition date in the lower left corner of this page. However, because USCIS fees change periodically, you can verify that the fees are correct by visiting the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov, select “FORMS,” and check the appropriate fee.
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[Page 4]
What Is the Filing Fee?
The filing fee for Form I-131A is $1,010. The fee for this application must be paid online via the USCIS online filing system at www.uscis.gov, by selecting “FORMS,” and navigating to Form I-131A. The fee may be paid via credit card, debit card or U.S. bank account via Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment system. Note that Form I-131A, Application for Carrier Documentation, is a different form from I-131, Application for Travel Document. If you are submitting Form I-131, you CANNOT pay the fee online.
NOTE: The filing fee is not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on this application.
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How To Check If the Fees Are Correct
The listed fee of $1,010 for the Form I-131A is correct as of the edition date of this form located in the lower left corner of this page. However, because USCIS fees change periodically, you can verify that the fees are correct by visiting the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov, select “FORMS,” and check the appropriate fee.
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Page 5,
USCIS Forms and Information
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USCIS Forms and Information
To ensure you are using the latest version of this application, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov where you can obtain the latest USCIS forms and immigration-related information. Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/I-131A or contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate for the most current information about where to file this application.
If you would like to ask for information in person, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-immigration-offices for contact information regarding the USCIS office in the country where you are located. If there is no USCIS office in the country where you are located, please visit the website of the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate in your area to find the appropriate contact and appointment information.
Instead of waiting in line for assistance at your local USCIS office, you can schedule an appointment online at www.uscis.gov. Select “Schedule an Appointment” and follow the screen prompts to set up your appointment. Once you finish scheduling an appointment, the system will generate an appointment notice for you.
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USCIS Forms and Information
To ensure you are using the latest version of this application, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov where you can obtain the latest USCIS forms and immigration-related information. Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/I-131A or contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate for the most current information about where to file this application.
If you would like to ask for information in person, please visit the website of the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate in your area to find the appropriate contact and appointment information.
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Page 6,
DHS Privacy Notice |
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DHS Privacy Notice
AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this application, and the associated evidence, is collected under the Immigration and Nationality Act sections 1103, 1158, 1182, 1203, and 1204.
PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this application is to apply for Carrier Documentation with either USCIS or the Department of State within one year of your departure from the United States, which will allow you to board a vessel or aircraft, travel to the United States, and present yourself at a U.S. port-of-entry for inspection as a returning lawful permanent resident. DHS uses the information to determine your eligibility for the requested travel document.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, including your Social Security number (if applicable), and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision or result in denial of your request.
ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this application and any additional requested evidence with other Federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses described in the associated published system of records notices [DHS/USCIS-001 - Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System of Records, DHS/USCIS-007 - Benefits Information System, and STATE-39 Visa Records] and the published privacy impact assessments [DHS/USCIS/PIA-016a Computer Linked Application Information Management System and Associated Systems, DHS/USCIS/PIA-051 Case and Activity Management for International Operations, and DOS Non-Immigrant Visa System PIA] which you can find at www.dhs.gov/privacy or www.state.gov/privacy. DHS may also share this information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.
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USCIS Privacy Act Statement
AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this benefit form, and the associated evidence, is collected pursuant to 8 U.S.C. sections 1103, 1158, 1182, 1203 and 1204.
PURPOSE: The sole purpose for providing the requested information on this benefit form is to apply for a Carrier Evidence document with either USCIS or the Department of State within one year of your departure from the United States, which will allow you to board a vessel or aircraft, travel to the United States, and present yourself at a U.S. port-of-entry for inspection as a returning lawful permanent resident. This information is used to grant or deny your benefit.
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 a rejection or denial of your benefit application.
ROUTINE USES: The information you provide on this benefit application may be shared with other Federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations in accordance with approved routine uses, as described in the associated published system of records notices [DHS-USCIS-001 - Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System of Records, DHS-USCIS-007 - Benefits Information System, and STATE-39 Visa Records] which can be found at www.dhs.gov/privacy and http://foia.state.gov, respectively. The information may also be made available, as appropriate for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security. |
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| Author | Mulvihill, Timothy R |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-13 |