nd Immigration Services
Volume VIII - E-Filing Form I-131
Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) is used to apply to U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the following travel
documents: Reentry Permit, Refugee Travel Document, or an Advance
Parole Document.
Purpose
This document provides guidance and tips for E-Filing Form I-131. This
guide addresses the following topics:
Is E-Filing the Best Option for You?
E-Filing Form I-131
Confirmation Receipt
Next Steps – Specific to Form I-131
Supporting Documentation
Is E-Filing the Best Option for You?
E-Filing offers convenience and additional payment options. However, E-
Filing is not for everyone. There are certain situations in which you must
paper file. You must paper file if:
You are applying for a fee waiver.
You wish to request that your case be expedited or you require
emergency travel authorization.
o If you wish to E-File for a planned trip, it will need to be done well
in advance of your trip.
You are seeking Humanitarian Advance Parole. Applicants seeking
Humanitarian Advance Parole are NOT eligible to E-File.
You are filing on the basis of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El
Salvador, Honduras, or Nicaragua your E-Filed I-131 application will be
sent to the National Benefits Center for Processing. If you want your I-
131 to go to a particular Service Center, District Office, or Sub Office
then E-Filing may not be the best option for you.
E-Filing Reference Guide
Volume VIII – E-Filing Form I-131
May 2005
Please review the E-Filing web instructions for further updated guidance on
I-131 eligibility requirements
.
E-Filing Form I-131
This is the first screen of E-Filing Form I-131. Although these questions do
not appear on the paper-based form, answers to these questions are required
when E-Filing. Your answers to these questions will determine where your
application is sent for processing.
1
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Part 1: Applicant Information
In Part 1, you will answer questions about the person or organization filing
the I-131. Travel documents will be sent to the address you provide here.
Remember – you are not allowed to E-File if you are outside of the United
States.
Zip Code Identification:
Your Zip Code must match
your City/State. Consult
www.usps.com
to determine
the correct spelling and/or
combination of City/State/Zip
Code to use when entering
your address.
E-Filing Reference Guide
Volume VIII – E-Filing Form I-131
May 2005
Part 2: Selecting Type of Travel Document
In Part 2, you will answer questions to indicate the type of travel document
you are requesting, and to determine where your application is sent for
processing.
Processing Location:
If (a), (b), or (c) are selected,
your application will be sent
to the Nebraska Service
Center for processing.
If (d) is selected, your
application will be sent to
either the National Benefits
Center or to the location
where your I-485 is pending.
Type of Travel Document Requested
If (a) is selected, you will answer questions related to Reentry Permit on
Parts 3, 4, and 5 of Form I-131.
If (b) or (c) is selected, you will answer questions related to Refugee
Travel Document on Parts 3 and 6.
If (d) is selected, you will answer questions related to Advance Parole on
Parts 3 and 7.
2
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Part 3: Receiving Travel Documents
In Part 3, you will answer questions about your trip.
Length of Trip:
Enter the number of days you
will be on your trip.
Navigation Buttons:
Do NOT use the web browser
Back and Forward buttons to
navigate through the E-Filing
application you are filling out.
Use the navigation buttons at
the bottom of each screen.
E-Filing Reference Guide
Volume VIII – E-Filing Form I-131
May 2005
Part 4: Additional Information About Your Trip
If you are applying for Reentry Permit, you will be asked more questions
about your trip in Part 4.
Visit husband in Taiwan. I intend to make frequent trips.
I am filing to avoid implication that I may be abandoning
my U.S. address.
Text Boxes:
The text box will allow you to
enter more information than there
is space available on the hardcopy
form. The remaining information
will print out on a Continuation
Sheet.
3
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Part 5: Reentry Permit
If you are applying for a Reentry Permit, you will answer more questions in
Part 5.
E-Filing Reference Guide
Volume VIII – E-Filing Form I-131
May 2005
Part 6: Refugee Travel Document
If you are applying for a Refugee Travel Document, you will answer more
questions in Part 6.
4
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Part 7: Advance Parole
If you are applying for Advance Parole, you will answer more questions in
Part 7.
Written Explanation:
You will need to submit your
written explanation as part of
your Supporting
Documentation.
E-Filing Reference Guide
Volume VIII – E-Filing Form I-131
May 2005
Forms Checklist and Concurrent E-Filing
The Forms Checklist provides information about each form you have filled
out, but not yet submitted.
Add I-131:
To concurrently file another I-
131 for a family member, click
on “Add I-131.”
Concurrent E-Filing of multiple I-131s is only allowed for family
members. This functionality should not be used to concurrently file
unrelated I-131s.
You may Concurrently E-File an I-131 and I-765 only if the I-131
beneficiary can file an I-765 under the (c)(9) Eligibility Classification
(i.e., the beneficiary has a pending I-485, Application to Register
Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, currently at an USCIS office).
o If you with to Concurrently E-File an I-131 with an I-765, you must
fill out the I-765 first.
5
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Confirmation Receipt
After successfully submitting your payment, you will be taken to a
Confirmation Receipt List screen.
Write Down Your Receipt Number:
A receipt number indicates that your
application has been successfully
submitted. You may wish to print this
screen or write down your receipt
number.
After noting your receipt number, click on the button. This
will generate a PDF file that you may save or print for your records.
E-Filing Reference Guide
Volume VIII – E-Filing Form I-131
May 2005
Next Steps – Specific to Form I-131
Follow the instructions on the Confirmation Receipt notice.
Form I-131 applicants do not need to call the National Customer Service
Center to schedule an appointment. Rather, you must submit hardcopy
photos with your Supporting Documentation.
This is an example of the first page of the PDF file that should generate when
you click on the button.
If the PDF file does not generate, call the National Customer Service
Center at 1-800-375-5283. Do NOT re-file. Your application has been
submitted successfully, as indicated by the receipt number on the
Confirmation Receipt List.
6
Address for Mailing in
Supporting Documentation:
The Confirmation Receipt
notice provides the address for
where to send your supporting
documentation.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Supporting Documentation
In addition to the instructions provided on the website at
http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/e-supporting.htm please follow
these guidelines when submitting supporting documentation:
Submit two (2) hardcopy photos with your Supporting Documentation.
Include a copy of the Confirmation Receipt notice when mailing in your
Supporting Documentation.
Mail the supporting documentation to the addresses below, if the petition
is a non-premium processing case; and
Include a cover letter referencing your receipt number and clearly state
that the supporting documentation in for an E-Filed petition.
IF… THEN …
E-Filing Reference Guide
Volume VIII – E-Filing Form I-131
May 2005
PDF Troubleshooting
If the PDF Confirmation Receipt Page did not generate, or you were unable
to save and/or print the PDF version of the Confirmation Receipt Page, DO
NOT FILE AGAIN. Send an e-mail request to E-Filing.Support@dhs.gov
and include your Receipt Number in the e-mail message.
Your petition
receipt number
begins with
“WAC”
Your petition
receipt number
begins with “LIN”
Your petition
receipt number
begins with “SRC”
Your petition
receipt number
begins with “EAC”
Send supporting documentation to:
California Service Center
Attn: E-Filed I-131
P.O. Box 30111-30115
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0111
Send supporting documentation to:
Nebraska Service Center
Attn: E-Filed I-131
PO Box 87373
Lincoln, NE 68501-7131
Send supporting documentation to:
Texas Service Center
Attn: E-Filed I-131
P.O. Box 852685
Mesquite, TX 75185-2685
Send supporting documentation to:
Vermont Service Center
Attn: E-Filed I-130
Lower Welden Street
St. Albans, VT 05479-0001 شكرا لكم جميعا