Instructions For Form I-131 - Application For Travel Document (Page 4 of 15) in pdf

d. A Refugee Travel Document may not be issued to you if:

(1) You have already been issued such a document and it is still valid, unless the prior document has been

returned to USCIS or you can demonstrate that it was lost; or

(2) A notice was published in the Federal Register that precludes the issuance of such a document for travel to the

area where you intend to go.

NOTE: You should apply for a Refugee Travel Document before you leave the United States. However, a

Refugee Travel Document 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. Departure from the United States before a decision

is made on the application usually does not affect the application decision. However, if biometrics collection is

required and the applicant departs the United States before biometrics are collected, the application may be denied.

NOTICE to lawful permanent residents who obtain permanent residence as a result of their refugee or

asylee status: If you do not obtain a Reentry Permit (see Item 1. Reentry Permit above) and remain outside the

United States, lengthy or frequent absences from the United States could be factors supporting a conclusion that

you have abandoned your lawful permanent resident status. 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 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.

If DHS determines, upon your return to the United States, that you have abandoned your lawful permanent

resident status, you may challenge that determination if you are placed in removal proceedings, and seek a

determination whether you may retain asylum status even if you cannot retain lawful permanent resident status.

3. Advance Parole Document for Individuals Who Are Currently in the United States

If any of the items listed under Item a. below apply to you, select Item Number 1.d. in Part 2. of the form.

a. If you are in the United States and seek an Advance Parole Document, you may apply if:

(1) You have a pending application to adjust status, Form I-485, and you seek to travel abroad temporarily

for “urgent humanitarian reasons” or in furtherance of a “significant public benefit,” which may include a

personal or family emergency or bona fide business reasons.

(2) You have a pending application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) (Form I-821), have been granted TPS,

or have been granted T or U nonimmigrant status. Whether you are permitted to retain TPS upon your return

will depend on whether you continue to meet the requirements for TPS. If you have TPS and leave and

reenter the United States during the validity period of your Advance Parole Document, you will not break the

continuous physical presence requirement for maintaining your TPS.

Important: If you have a TPS or other application pending and you leave the United States on advance

parole, you may miss important notices from USCIS regarding your application, including requests for

additional evidence. If you do not respond timely to these notices, USCIS may deem your application

abandoned and, in that event, you will not receive the benefit you seek. It is very important that you make

appropriate arrangements to ensure that you do not miss any such important notices.

(3) You have been granted parole pursuant to INA section 212(d)(5), AND you seek to travel abroad temporarily

for urgent humanitarian reasons or in furtherance of a significant public benefit. Humanitarian reasons

include travel to obtain medical treatment, attend funeral services for a family member, or visit an ailing

relative.

Form I-131 Instructions 12/23/16 N

Page 4 of 15

Instructions For Form I-131 - Application For Travel Document Page 4

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