How to apply for a U.S. travel document

What is a travel document?

A travel document lets the U.S. government know about your travel plans. This is for anyone who is not a U.S. citizen but is living in the USA. You can use a travel document instead of a visa as proof of travel authorization.

You must get your travel document before you leave the country. You must show your travel document at the airport or border. You will still need your passport to re-enter the USA if you have one.

Having a travel document does not guarantee you can re-enter the USA. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) will check your documents and decide if you can legally re-enter the USA.

Who needs a travel document?

You must have a travel document to re-enter the United States if you have the status of:

• Refugee or asylee
• Parole ya kibinadamu
• TPS or DED
• Pending application for TPS or Green Card
• Lawful permanent resident and will be outside the U.S. for 1 year or more
• DACA or other temporary status and have a qualifying reason for travel

Why do I need a travel document?

If you leave the USA without a travel document, you will risk:

• Losing your immigration status
• Being denied any pending application
• Not being allowed back into the USA

If a CBP officer says you are not allowed to re-enter the USA, you might have to go to immigration court. If you do not qualify for other immigration relief, you may be deported from the USA.

It is important to check with an immigration legal representative before you travel, especially if you have a pending application. Even with a travel document, any travel outside the U.S. can put your application at risk.

Should I travel?

Serikali ya sasa ya Marekani ina sera kali zaidi za uhamiaji. Ikiwa wewe si raia wa Marekani, ni muhimu kupanga safari yako kwa uangalifu.

Kuamua kama unapaswa kusafiri

• Check if you are affected by the travel ban.
• If you are not a U.S. citizen, check with an immigration lawyer before planning international travel. They can help you understand the risks, especially if you have pending applications or are from a country that might be affected by the travel ban.
• Kila mara unapoingia tena Marekani, utachunguzwa na unaweza kukatazwa kuingia tena. Sera za sasa ni kali sana.
• Ikiwa huna hati, usisafiri nje ya nchi. Unaweza kukatazwa kuingia tena na/au kuwekwa katika taratibu za kuondolewa.
• If you have a pending immigration application, international travel could affect your case. Leaving the U.S. while your application is being processed may result in denial.
• Be aware of the added risk at airports. Immigration enforcement has increased at U.S. airports, including for flights within the U.S. The lists of people flying through U.S. airports may be shared with ICE, and ICE may detain people when they show up to fly.
• You may be at higher risk at the airport if you have a past or current deportation order, an administrative warrant, or temporary protections such as DACA, TPS, a U visa, or a T visa. Some people are stopped even if the order is old or they did not know about it.

Vidokezo vya kusafiri salama

• Hakikisha kuwa hati zako zote ni sahihi na halali. Visa yako na pasipoti sharti ziwe zimesasishwa na muda wake wa matumizi haujaisha. Jina lililo kwenye tiketi yako ya ndege linapaswa kufanana na lililo kwenye kitambulisho chako.
• Sharti uonyeshe KITAMBULISHO HALISI au aina nyingine ya utambulisho inayokubalika, kama vile pasipoti ambayo muda wake wa matumizi haujaisha, ikiwa unasafiri ndani ya Marekani.
• Kuwa na hati zote muhimu, usiweke kwenye mizigo unayosafiri nayo. Hizi ni pamoja na hati zako za kusafiri, pasipoti, kitambulisho, risiti za maombi zinazosubiri, maelezo ya mawasiliano ya wakili na anwani za dharura.
• Tengeneza mpango wa usalama. Shiriki maelezo yako ya safari na watu unaowaamini na uwasiliane nao katika safari yako yote. Jadili cha kufanya ukikatazwa kuingia tena au ukizuiwa.
• Zijue haki zako. Pata maelezo ya kile unachopaswa kutarajia katika uwanja wa ndege na jinsi ya kujibu maafisa wa uhamiaji. Ukizuiliwa, omba kuzungumza na wakili mara moja.
• Fuatilia masasisho ya sera za usafiri kabla na wakati wa safari. Sera za uhamiaji zinaweza kubadilika haraka. Endelea kupata taarifa kuhusu vikwazo vipya vya usafiri.
• Punguza data ya kibinafsi kwenye vifaa vyako. Forodha na Ulinzi wa Mipaka Marekani (CBP) inaweza kukagua simu yako au kompyuta ya mkononi wakati wa ukaguzi. Zingatia kuondoa programu au taarifa za kibinafsi ambazo huhitaji kwa safari yako. Unaweza kuhifadhi faili muhimu katika akaunti salama ya wingu au diski ya nje.

What are the types of travel documents?

There are 5 types of travel documents:

• Advance parole document
• Refugee travel document
• Re-entry permit
• TPS travel authorization
• Carrier documentation

The type of travel document you need depends on your current immigration status. The application process is the same for all 5 types of travel documents.

Different travel documents have different expiration dates. Make sure your travel document is valid and unexpired when returning to the USA. It is important you know when your travel document expires.

Advance parole document

Advanced parole lets you return to the USA without applying for a visa. You can apply for an advance parole document if you have a:

• Pending Green Card application
• Pending asylum application
• Pending TPS application

Refugee travel document

A refugee travel document allows you to return to the United States if you are a:

• Refugee or asylee
• Derivative asylee or refugee
• Green Card holder based on refugee or asylee status

Refugee travel documents are valid for 1 year.

Re-entry permit

A re-entry permit is for people traveling outside the USA for more than 1 year. It allows you to return to the USA without applying for a return visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate.

You can apply for a re-entry permit if you are a:

• Permanent resident
• Conditional resident

If you are away from the USA for less than 1 year, you will only need to show your Green Card when you return.

TPS travel authorization

If you have TPS, you must apply for travel authorization to travel outside the United States. If your request is approved, USCIS will issue you Form I-512T to show you have permission to travel. You can use your TPS travel document as proof of travel at an airport instead of a visa.

If your application for TPS is pending and you plan to travel abroad, you must apply for advance parole. If approved, you will get Form I-512L as proof of travel.

Carrier documentation

Carrier documentation allows airlines or transportation carriers to let you board a plane or other transportation carrier to travel back to the USA. This is a separate application with Form I-131A.

You can apply for carrier documentation if:

• Your Green Card, advance parole, or re-entry permit was lost, stolen, or destroyed
• You are a permanent resident or a conditional resident

How can I apply?

The process to apply for a travel document is generally the same for all 5 types of travel documents. You can apply for a travel document with USCIS by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. You can specify the type of travel document you request in Part 2 of the form.

Read the instructions for Form I-131 for more information on filling it out. You must submit evidence such as your photo identification and proof of immigration status.

You can file your application online or mail it to a direct filing address depending on your immigration status. Find tips for filing a form online.

Nini kitatokea baada ya kuwasilisha ombi langu?

You will get a notice in the mail once your application has been accepted. USCIS may request more information or evidence. You may have to go to a biometrics service appointment and interview.

How can I track the status of my case?

You must fill out Form G-1145 to receive a confirmation receipt over email or text message. You check your case status online by entering your receipt number.

How long does it take to get my travel document?

Case processing times depend on your location and application type. You can check case processing times online.

After you have applied, you can see the estimated wait time for your case by logging into your myUSCIS account.

Can I expedite my travel document?

If you have an urgent reason that you need to travel, you may request expedited (faster) processing of your application. You can request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center.

Expedited processing may be available for the following reasons:

• Emergencies such as medical needs, serious illness, or death in close family
• Humanitarian situation
• Severe financial loss
• Urgent non-profit activities
• U.S. government interests
• Clear USCIS error

All requests for expedited processing are taken on a case-by-case basis. You may be required to submit additional evidence. If you leave the country before you have approval, you may not be allowed to return.

Should I talk to a lawyer?

It is important to get legal help when you apply for a travel document, especially if you have a pending immigration application. A lawyer or accredited representative can explain your options and help you submit your application. Many organizations and lawyers offer free or low-cost legal services.

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