Travel Document / Advance Parole (Form I-131)
USCIS sets the filing fee for Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, at $630 for Advance Parole and Re-Entry Permits, and $165 / $135 for Refugee Travel Documents (16+/under 16). The form requests permission to re-enter the US after traveling abroad — and for pending I-485 applicants, DACA recipients, and TPS beneficiaries, traveling without it is one of the costliest mistakes in immigration practice.
Download the official form
USCIS publishes Form I-131 as a free PDF. Always download the current version directly from USCIS — third-party copies may be outdated.
- Download Form I-131 (PDF) — official USCIS source
- Download Instructions for Form I-131 (PDF) — read before filling out the form
- File Form I-131 online with USCIS (where supported)
What is it for?
One form, several very different documents. Form I-131 requests permission to leave the US and come back without destroying the status or application you have:
| Document | Who uses it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Advance Parole | Pending I-485 applicants, DACA recipients | Leaving without it abandons the I-485 / terminates DACA |
| TPS travel authorization (Form I-512T) | TPS beneficiaries | TPS alone does not authorize re-entry |
| Re-Entry Permit | Green-card holders absent 1–2 years | Protects LPR status during long absences |
| Refugee Travel Document | Refugees and asylees | Functions as the passport they cannot get from their home country |
Fees (April 2024 schedule)
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Advance Parole (in-US applicant) | $630 |
| Advance Parole filed with a pre-April 2024 I-485 | $0 (the old bundled deal is honored for those filers) |
| Re-Entry Permit | $630 |
| Refugee Travel Document (age 16+) | $165 |
| Refugee Travel Document (under 16) | $135 |
| EAD requested after re-parole approval | $280 H.R.1 fee (FY2026, non-waivable) |
Confirm against the G-1055 fee schedule — the I-131 has more fee variations than almost any other form, and H.R.1 fee actions continue to touch parole-related filings.
Processing time and expedites
Typical range (USCIS, as of 2026-05-26): about 16 months for a re-entry permit and roughly 22 months for standalone Advance Parole — see the live table below, and plan travel only after the document is in hand. Expedited processing exists for verifiable humanitarian emergencies (call the USCIS Contact Center with evidence: death certificate, hospital letter); genuine emergencies can be processed in days at a local field office.
⚠️ Verify current time: USCIS Processing Times · Your case status
The three traps that end cases
- Leaving while the I-131 is pending. For most in-US applicants, departing before approval makes USCIS consider the I-131 abandoned — and if an I-485 is pending, the I-485 goes with it. The document must be approved and in your hands before you board.
- Advance Parole is not admission. It is permission to present yourself at a port of entry; CBP retains full authority to question and, in rare cases, refuse. Anyone with a criminal record, prior removal, or long unlawful presence before their current status needs an attorney’s sign-off before booking anything.
- Unlawful-presence bars don’t disappear. Travel on Advance Parole generally doesn’t trigger the 3/10-year bars the way an ordinary departure does — that’s precisely why it exists — but the interaction between old immigration history and parole re-entry is fact-specific attorney territory, not a website-table decision.
DACA travel specifics
DACA recipients may receive Advance Parole only for education, employment, or humanitarian purposes — tourism does not qualify. Document the purpose (enrollment letters, employer letter, medical or funeral evidence). Two cautions: leaving without approved AP terminates DACA, and a parole re-entry can have significant downstream effects on future adjustment options — competent legal advice before travel is not optional. See the DACA litigation status page before planning anything; program rules can shift with one court order.
TPS travel specifics
TPS holders use the I-131 to request Form I-512T travel authorization. Beyond the paperwork: whether a TPS re-entry counts as an “inspected and admitted or paroled” entry for later adjustment purposes has shifted with policy changes over the years — and with the 2025-2026 TPS termination litigation, a designation can change while you are abroad. Get individual legal advice before any TPS travel.
How to file
Online for some categories, or by mail per the I-131 page’s address chart. The receipt notice does not authorize travel — only the approved document does.
Required documents
- Completed Form I-131
- Copy of I-485 receipt notice (if Advance Parole based on pending I-485)
- Copy of I-797 EAD/DACA approval (if Advance Parole based on DACA)
- Copy of green card (if Re-Entry Permit)
- Supporting documents for travel reason (employer letter, proof of family emergency, etc.)
- Fee payment
- 2 recent passport photos
Current USCIS processing times
USCIS publishes the time in which 80% of cases complete, per form, category, and office. The table below renders from our automatically maintained copy of the official data — always verify against the live system before relying on a deadline.
The time in which 80% of cases complete, by category and office. Data from the official USCIS system (2026-07-11) · verify live
| Category | Office | 80% complete within |
|---|---|---|
| Re-entry permit or refugee travel document | Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 16 Months |
| Advance parole | Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 22.5 Months |
Frequently asked questions
Can DACA recipients travel with Advance Parole?
Yes, with approved I-131 Advance Parole in advance. Without valid AP, leaving the US TERMINATES your DACA and re-entry is practically impossible. Only travel for specific reasons: employment, education, or humanitarian. Consult an attorney before any travel.
How long does Advance Parole take for emergencies?
Expedited processing available for verifiable humanitarian emergencies. Call USCIS Contact Center and explain. Can process in 2-5 business days in some cases.
Can I re-enter the US with pending legal issues?
Advance Parole is permission to present at a port of entry — does not guarantee admission. CBP has final authority. With criminal history or prior immigration issues, consult attorney before traveling.
If I have I-485 pending, what happens if I travel without Advance Parole?
Your I-485 is considered automatically abandoned. You’ll return to your original immigration status (potentially without status if you entered on expired temporary visa).
Are Re-Entry Permit and Advance Parole the same?
No. Re-Entry Permit is for LPRs (green card holders) absent 1-2 years. Advance Parole is for non-LPRs (DACA, pending I-485, pending asylum) who need to travel. Different forms and categories in I-131.
Related information
Last verified: 2026-06-10. General information — not legal advice. Always verify at USCIS.gov.
Related procedural information
- Consulate of your country in the US — passport renewal, consular ID, document apostille
- ITIN — file federal taxes without SSN — required regardless of immigration status
- USCIS form library — federal immigration forms (I-130, I-485, N-400, etc.)
- Find an immigration attorney — pro bono lists + AILA + BIA-recognized
- Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections