What Is Form I-131
Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, lets you leave the United States and return while your immigration case is pending. The document you receive, called an Advance Parole document, serves as proof that USCIS authorized your departure and reentry. Without it, leaving the US typically means abandoning your pending application, visa, or green card process.
When You Need Form I-131
You file I-131 in specific immigration situations. If you're adjusting status to become a permanent resident (green card) under INA 245, you can file I-131 and I-765 (work permit) concurrently with your I-485. If you're an asylee or refugee, you can file I-131 to travel internationally. Certain visa holders, like those in H-1B or L-1 status waiting for an employment-based green card, use I-131 when they need to return home during processing.
You cannot use I-131 if you're in F-1 student visa status or if you've already been issued a Travel Document and it's still valid. Processing takes 4 to 6 months on average, though expedited processing is available in some cases.
The Filing Process
- File Form I-131 with the USCIS service center that handles your case. If you're adjusting status, this is usually the same location where you filed your I-485.
- Include supporting documents such as your birth certificate, passport, medical examination results (if applicable), and a letter explaining why you need to travel.
- Pay the filing fee, currently $575 for most applicants, or request a fee waiver using Form I-912 if you qualify based on income.
- After approval, you'll receive Form I-131 (the travel document itself), which looks like a small identification card with your photo and fingerprints.
- When you return to the United States, show the I-131 to the CBP officer at the port of entry along with your passport.
Advance Parole and Adjustment of Status
If you're adjusting status through an employment-based or family-based green card, filing I-131 for Advance Parole protects your eligibility to adjust. The moment you depart the United States without Advance Parole, you technically abandon your I-485 application and lose your priority date. This matters significantly if you're waiting for a visa number to become available in a later fiscal year.
Advance Parole also allows you to work while adjusting status if you file Form I-765 concurrently. This is particularly important for employment-based applicants whose current visa (like H-1B) restricts their employer options.
Consular Processing vs. Adjustment
If you're going through consular processing instead of adjustment of status, you cannot file I-131 while abroad. Your visa interview happens at a US embassy or consulate in your country. You enter the US on your immigrant visa, not through a travel document. However, if you have an approved immigrant petition and need to return home before your visa interview, you'll work with the National Visa Center or consulate directly to maintain your case.
Common Questions
- Can I travel while my I-131 is pending? No. You must wait for approval before departing. Leaving without an approved travel document terminates your pending application.
- How long is an Advance Parole document valid? Typically 1 to 2 years, but USCIS specifies the exact dates on your approval notice. Check the expiration date before booking travel.
- Do I need a visa stamp in my passport if I have Advance Parole? No. Your I-131 document and passport are sufficient for reentry at a US port of entry. You don't need any visa endorsement.