Application for Travel Document: Help with I-131

The Application for Travel Documents is used for three specific situations and cannot be used for anyone in immigration custody. The three situations are:

A Refugee travel document, according to refugee law, allows a refugee to travel to the U.S and must have refugee status. Refugee and asylum immigration, or people who have permanent residence based on that status must have a refugee travel document to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad.  A re-entry permit serves the same purpose for permanent residents who wish to travel abroad and the permit eliminates the need for application at a U.S. embassy for another visa to re-enter the U.S.  An advance parole document allows an otherwise inadmissible person into the U.S. for a temporary specific reason.  They are rarely granted and are typically used in cases of emergency.

Helpful Information for Applying for a Travel Document

• Advance parole documents cannot be used to get around the usual visa process or to speed up a long wait for a visa
• Advance parole documents act as a temporary visa and you still need a valid passport to travel to the U.S.
• Advance parole can be used to get into the U.S. as well as to allow immigrant who are otherwise not allowed to travel, to travel abroad and get back into the U.S.
• Biometric information must be submitted before you leave the U.S. or the application for re-entry may be denied
• You must be in the U.S. when you apply for a re-entry permit, but you can request to pick up your permit at a U.S. embassy as long as you have submitted your biometric information before leaving the U.S.
• Asylees should be aware that if you applied for asylum anytime after April 1, 1997, and you travel back to the country from which you seek asylum, the U.S. government may terminate your status based on the fact that you must not really need the protection of the U.S. if you choose to travel there
• If you have been in the U.S. illegally and you apply for an advance parole document, you risk serious consequences of being inadmissible for 3 or ten years depending on how much time you spent illegally in the U.S. 

Get Legal Help with Applying for a Travel Document

If you are applying for travel documents and you have a legal status in the U.S., you should not have a problem applying for travel documents and if you have any questions, you can go to the USCIS website.

If you are currently in the U.S. illegally you consult an immigration attorney before submitting an application for any travel documents.  The consequences for illegal entry or illegal stay beyond expiration of a visa can be very harsh and an immigration attorney can advise you on your best course of action.  Also, if you are an asylee or refugee, you may want to speak to an immigration attorney about possible consequences of your travel outside the U.S.