Application for a Travel Document

Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify to file an Application for Advance Parole, you must file a concurrent Application to Adjust Status to Permanent Resident on Form I-485 or have a Form I-485 application pending with USCIS (formerly the INS). As a general rule, applicants who have lived in the U.S. without legal status for 180 days or more should not apply for Advance Parole, since they will be ineligible to reenter the U.S. for either three or ten years, even with an Advance Parole Travel Document. Click here to get started with an Application for Advance Parole. Is your current Advance Parole Document expired or expiring? Click here to get started with a renewal application.

In order to qualify to file an Application for a Refugee Travel Document, you must hold Refugee or Asylee status. As a general rule, you may not apply for a Refugee Travel Document in order to travel to the country where you fear persecution. Click here to get started with an Application for a Refugee Travel Document. Is your current Refuge Travel Document expired or expiring? Click here to get started with a renewal application.

In order to qualify for a Reentry Permit, you must be a Lawful Permanent Resident or Conditional Permanent Resident who expects to be outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, generally a year or more. Click here to get started with an Application for a Reentry Permit.

The Process

All Applications for a Travel Document are made on Form I-131.

Applications for Advance Parole may be filed concurrently (at the same time) as the Application to Adjust Status to Permanent Resident on Form I-485. They may also be filed at any time while the Form I-485 is pending. The Application for Advance Parole is filed with the same Service Center as the Form I-485. Applicants must wait for their application to be approved before departing the U.S. Processing times vary, but generally range from three to six months. The document is valid for one year and must be renewed for travel outside the validity of the initial document. Click here to get started with an Application for Advance Parole. Is your current Advance Parole Document expired or expiring? Click here to get started with a renewal application.

Applications for a Refugee Travel Document must be made inside the U.S. The applicant may depart the U.S. before the application is approved and pick up the travel document at a U.S. Consulate or DHS office overseas. Alternately, the applicant may choose to remain in the U.S. until the application is approved. Processing times vary, but generally range from three to six months. The document is valid for one year and must be renewed for travel outside the validity of the initial document. Click here to get started with an Application for a Refugee Travel Document. Is your current Refuge Travel Document expired or expiring? Click here to get started with a renewal application.

Applications for a Reentry Permit must be made inside the U.S. In addition, the Lawful Permanent Resident must appear for a biometrics appointment before he or she can leave the country. The applicant may depart the U.S. after appearing for the biometrics appointment and pick up the travel document at a U.S. Consulate or DHS office overseas. Alternately, the applicant may choose to remain in the U.S. until the application is approved. Processing times vary, but generally range from three to six months. Click here to get started with an Application for a Reentry Permit.

Reentry Permits are valid for two years and are not renewable, however an applicant may return to the U.S. to file another application. Generally, a Lawful Permanent Resident may spend almost six years outside of the U.S. and retain a Reentry Permit. A longer absence requires an application for a Special Immigrant ("returning resident") visa.