Instructions For Form I-131 - Application For Travel Document (Page 2 of 15) in pdf

NOTE: Upon returning to the United States, most individuals must present a valid H, L, K, or V nonimmigrant visa

and must continue to be otherwise admissible. If you do not have a valid or unexpired H, L, K, or V nonimmigrant

visa, then you generally need to obtain an H, L, K, or V nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. Department of State (DOS) visa

issuing post. Individuals will need a valid nonimmigrant visa, advance parole, or other travel document to present for

reentry.

4. Advance Parole Document for Individuals Outside the United States

The granting of an Advance Parole Document for individuals outside the United States is an extraordinary measure

used sparingly to allow an otherwise inadmissible alien to travel to the United States and to seek parole into the

United States for a temporary period of time due to urgent humanitarian reasons or for significant public benefit

(significant public benefit parole is typically limited to law enforcement or homeland security-related reasons). An

Advance Parole Document cannot be used to circumvent normal visa-issuance procedures and is not a means to

bypass delays in visa issuance.

Who May File Form I-131?

Each applicant must file a separate application for a travel document.

NOTE: Do not file Form I-131 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.

1. Reentry Permit

a. If you are in the United States as a lawful permanent resident or conditional permanent resident, you may apply

for a Reentry Permit. You must be physically present in the United States when you file the Reentry Permit

application and complete the biometrics services requirement. After filing your application for a Reentry Permit,

USCIS will inform you in writing when to go to your local Application Support Center (ASC) for your biometrics

services appointment. (See Item Number 3. Biometrics Services Requirement in the General Requirements

section of these Instructions.)

NOTE: A Reentry Permit may be sent to a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or DHS office abroad for you to pick

up, if you make such a request when you file your application.

With the exception of having to obtain a returning resident visa abroad, a Reentry Permit does not exempt you

from compliance with any of the requirements of U.S. immigration laws. If you are in possession of a valid,

unexpired Reentry Permit, you will not be deemed to have abandoned your status as a lawful permanent resident

or conditional permanent resident based solely on the duration of your absences from the United States while the

permit is valid.

An absence from the United States for 1 year or more will generally break the continuity of your required

continuous residence for the purpose of naturalization. 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 Reentry Permit

(1) Generally, a Reentry Permit issued to a lawful 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 lawful 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 lawful permanent resident whose travel is on the order of the U.S. Government, other than an exclusion,

deportation, removal, or rescission order;

(b) A lawful permanent resident employed by a public international organization of which the United States

is a member by treaty or statute; or

Form I-131 Instructions 12/23/16 N

Page 2 of 15

Instructions For Form I-131 - Application For Travel Document Page 2

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