Form I-131, Application for Travel Document / Advance Parole

TITLE: Form I-131, Application for Travel Document / Advance Parole

WHAT IT IS:

Form I-131 is a request to USCIS for permission to travel, to get a parole document, or to obtain an arrival/departure record. If you are a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holder and USCIS approves this form, you will receive a travel authorization document (Form I-512T). If your first TPS application is still pending, you may get an Advance Parole Document (Form I-512L). The form can also be used by certain Ukrainians to apply for re-parole.

WHO NEEDS IT:

You may need Form I-131 if you are:

- A lawful permanent resident who wants a reentry permit.

- A refugee or asylee who needs a refugee travel document.

- A TPS beneficiary or TPS applicant who needs permission to travel outside the United States.

- Someone with a pending adjustment of status (green card) application who needs advance parole to travel.

- A long-term resident of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) who needs advance permission to travel.

- Applying for a parole document or an arrival/departure record.

- An eligible Ukrainian citizen or immediate family member applying for re-parole under the announced process.

HOW TO FILE:

1. Read the official Form I-131 instructions carefully. Different types of travel documents have different rules and risks, especially for TPS holders.

2. If you are a Ukrainian citizen or immediate family member requesting re-parole, submit your application no earlier than 180 days (6 months) before your current parole expiration date. You can find your parole expiration date on your Form I-94. Filing too early may cause your application to be rejected or denied, and USCIS will not refund the filing fees.

3. For all other applicants, follow the official filing guidance for your specific travel document category. Check the USCIS website to see if online filing is available for your situation and where to mail a paper application.

4. If you are a Ms. L. Settlement Class Member or Qualifying Additional Family Member (QAFM) and you are filing a paper Form I-589 for asylum (not Form I-131), you must write “Ms. L Settlement Class Member” or “Ms. L. Settlement QAFM” on the top of the first page. That rule applies to asylum applications, not to travel document applications.

FEES:

The standard filing fee for Form I-131 is not listed in the provided text. (Check the official USCIS fee schedule on the USCIS website for the current amount.)

If you are a Ms. L. Settlement Class Member or QAFM, the following fees are paused as of Feb. 5, 2026:

- Immigration Parole Fee

- Parolee Renewal EAD Fee (this includes when you file Form I-131 for re-parole and check the EAD box in Part 9)

If you received a payment notice for these fees and did not pay before Feb. 5, 2026, you do not have to pay them now.

CURRENT EDITION & DEADLINES:

The form edition date is not provided in the text. (Check the current edition on the official USCIS page before you file.)

Key deadline: If you are applying for re-parole as a Ukrainian citizen or immediate family member, you must file no earlier than 180 days before your current parole ends. There is no other deadline mentioned.

COMMON MISTAKES:

- Filing your re-parole request more than 180 days before your current parole expires. This can lead to rejection and loss of your fees.

- Using an outdated form edition. Always download the latest form from the official website the day you file.

- Not checking the specific instructions for your travel document type. TPS holders, for example, face special risks if they travel while a re-registration is pending.

WHERE TO GET THE FORM:

Always get the form and instructions directly from the official USCIS website: https://www.uscis.gov/i-131

SOURCE: https://www.uscis.gov/i-131

DISCLAIMER: General info from USCIS, not legal advice — always verify on the official page and consult a licensed immigration attorney for your case. English is authoritative.