USCIS updates procedures for travel document requests

In a recent announcement, the United States Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released revised guidelines for submitting travel document applications. Form I-131, designed for this purpose, has been updated with an expiration date of 10/31/2025.

Form I-131 addresses various travel requirements, including:

1. Re-entry Permit:
   • Allows lawful permanent residents or conditional permanent residents to apply for admission to the United States without the need to obtain a returning resident visa from a US embassy or consulate upon return from abroad during the validity of the permit.
2. Travel document for refugees:
   • It is issued to persons with valid refugee or asylee status, or lawful permanent residents with refugee or asylee status obtained in the U.S., allowing them to return without the need for a returning resident visa.
3. Advance Permission Document:
   • Allows persons currently in the US to enter for a specific purpose. It is not a substitute for the required passport, and travelers must undergo an admissibility determination at the port of entry.
4. Advance Payroll for Travel for Long-Term Residents in the CNMI:
   • Allows long-term residents in the CNMI to travel temporarily to other parts of the US for legitimate reasons without automatically losing their long-term resident status in the CNMI.

requests

USCIS emphasizes that each applicant must submit a separate application for a travel document. In addition, it provides specific instructions for each type of document:

• Re-entry Permit: During filing, physical presence in the US is required during performance of biometric services and may have different validity depending on individual circumstances.
• Travel document for refugees: Applicants must apply before leaving the US, and the document is usually valid for one year.

USCIS advises that failure to obtain a re-entry permit or prolonged absence from the US without proper documentation is considered abandonment of lawful permanent resident status, as determined by DHS upon return.

The revised instructions seek to simplify the travel document application process and ensure clarity for applicants seeking to navigate US immigration procedures.