Who this is for
- People with a pending green card application (Form I-485) who need to travel — they usually request advance parole.
- DACA recipients and some others with pending or approved immigration benefits who may request advance parole for specific purposes.
- Permanent and conditional residents who plan to be outside the U.S. for a year or more — they may request a reentry permit.
- Refugees and people granted asylum who are not yet green card holders — they generally need a refugee travel document.
- Green card holders who obtained their status as a refugee or asylee may also use a refugee travel document in some cases.
Forms involved
| Form | Official name | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| I-131 | Application for Travel Document | The single form used to request advance parole, a reentry permit, a refugee travel document and some other travel-related benefits. |
| I-131A | Application for Carrier Documentation | Used by permanent residents abroad whose green card or reentry permit was lost, stolen or destroyed, so they can board a flight home. |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Many advance parole requests are filed together with or after this green card application. |
Step by step
- Identify the right documentAdvance parole, a reentry permit and a refugee travel document serve different groups. Form I-131 asks you to choose the type you are requesting.
- File Form I-131 before you travelIn most cases you must file while you are in the U.S. For a reentry permit or refugee travel document, you generally must be in the U.S. when you file.
- Attend biometrics if requiredReentry permit and refugee travel document applicants usually must give fingerprints and a photo in the U.S. before departing.
- Wait for approval when neededFor advance parole, leaving before approval can be treated as abandoning a pending green card application, with limited exceptions.
- Receive or pick up the documentUSCIS mails the document, or you can ask in your application to pick it up at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad in some cases.
- Present it when returningCarry the document with your passport. A CBP officer still makes the final decision about admission at the border.
Documents usually requested
- Copy of a government-issued photo ID, such as a passport
- Two passport-style photos
- Copy of your green card (for reentry permits)
- Receipt or approval notice for your pending or approved case (for example I-485, asylum or DACA)
- Proof of refugee or asylee status (for a refugee travel document)
- Explanation of the purpose of the trip, when requesting advance parole (for example, DACA-based requests)
- Evidence of an urgent need, if asking for expedited or emergency travel
- Copy of any previous travel document
How long it takes
Timing depends on the type of document, biometrics scheduling, and whether you file with another application. Check current estimates on the USCIS processing times page, and plan travel well ahead.
Government filing fees
Form I-131 carries a filing fee for most requests, which may differ by document type, and some applicants filing with certain green card applications may have different rules. Fees change, so confirm the current amount on the USCIS fee schedule (uscis.gov/g-1055).
Working and traveling while you wait
Travel is the purpose of this form, so plan carefully: leaving the U.S. before a travel document is approved can end a pending green card application or prevent you from returning. In urgent situations, USCIS may be able to issue emergency advance parole through a local field office appointment.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the U.S. with a pending green card application before advance parole is approved.
- Leaving before attending biometrics for a reentry permit or refugee travel document.
- Assuming advance parole guarantees reentry — a border officer still decides admission, and past unlawful presence can create a bar even with a travel document.
- Refugees or asylees traveling to the country they fled, which can raise questions about their protection claim.
- Assuming a reentry permit protects continuous residence for citizenship purposes — it generally does not.
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can I travel while my green card application is pending?
Usually only if you have advance parole approved before you leave. Leaving without it is generally treated as abandoning your Form I-485. Some people in certain work visa statuses, such as H-1B or L-1, may be able to travel on their visa, so an attorney can confirm your situation.
What is a reentry permit and who needs one?
A reentry permit is a travel document for green card holders who plan to be outside the U.S. for a year or more. It helps show you did not intend to give up your permanent residence, and it can be used in place of a returning resident visa. You generally must be in the U.S. when you file and attend biometrics before leaving.
What happens if a green card holder stays abroad too long?
Staying abroad for a year or more without a reentry permit can be treated as abandoning permanent residence. Even shorter trips of 6 months or more may lead to questions at the border and can affect eligibility for citizenship. Each case depends on the facts.
Do asylees and refugees need a travel document to leave the U.S.?
Yes, refugees and asylees who are not yet green card holders generally need a refugee travel document before traveling abroad. Leaving without one may mean you cannot return. Traveling to the country you fled can also create problems for your status.
Is there a faster option for an emergency trip?
In urgent cases, such as a family member's serious illness or death, USCIS may issue emergency advance parole after you schedule an appointment at a local field office. You usually need to bring proof of the emergency and the completed application. Approval is not guaranteed.
Official sources
Last reviewed: October 2026
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Immigration rules, forms and fees change often — always check the official sources above. MyUSVisa is not a law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; legal advice comes only from the licensed attorney you choose.