Travel Document or Advance Parole
Preparation assistance for a travel document or Advance Parole for re-entry to the United States.
Confidential
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Accurate & Reliable
Carefully reviewed and error-free
Language support
Communication in your language and English
Updates & Guidance
We keep you informed at every step
About this service
Form I-131 covers several different travel document requests under one form: advance parole for pending adjustment of status applicants who need to leave and re-enter the U.S. without abandoning their case, a reentry permit for permanent residents planning trips of a year or more, and a refugee travel document for asylees and refugees. Which version applies depends entirely on your underlying status, and filing the wrong one — or filing too late — can create real problems, since advance parole does not guarantee re-entry and a CBP officer makes that decision at the port of entry. In most cases the document should be requested, and in many cases approved, before you leave the country, because departing while an application is pending can be treated as abandonment depending on your category. DocPrep identifies the correct travel document category for your situation and prepares Form I-131 and its supporting documentation accordingly.
Who this may apply to
- Pending adjustment of status applicants who need to travel before their case is decided
- Permanent residents planning travel of one year or more who want to preserve their status
- Asylees and refugees who need a refugee travel document
What DocPrep can help prepare
- Identifying the correct travel document category for your specific situation
- Preparing Form I-131 and its supporting documentation
- Explaining general timing considerations before booking international travel
How it works
- 1
Identify your travel document category
We determine whether you need advance parole, a reentry permit, or a refugee travel document based on your current status.
- 2
Check timing against your travel plans
We review your intended travel dates against general processing and abandonment considerations for your category.
- 3
Prepare the form and evidence
We prepare Form I-131 and gather the supporting documentation your category requires.
- 4
Review before filing
We review the completed request with you before you submit it.
Documents you may need
Requirements vary depending on your situation. Commonly requested information may include:
- Copy of your pending Form I-485 receipt notice, if applying for advance parole
- Permanent Resident Card, if applying for a reentry permit
- Proof of asylee or refugee status, if applying for a refugee travel document
- Passport-style photographs
- Explanation of your travel purpose and intended dates
Important notes
- Advance parole does not guarantee re-entry to the U.S. — a CBP officer makes that decision at the port of entry.
- Traveling without the correct document already approved (or in some cases, filed) can be treated as abandoning a pending application, depending on your category — confirm timing carefully before booking travel.
Why choose DocPrep
Accuracy-focused
Every form is prepared and reviewed against current agency instructions.
Plain-language guidance
We explain each step clearly, without unnecessary legal jargon.
Help when you need it
Reach our team by phone, email, or message with questions about your request.
Related questions
Advance Parole is a travel document, requested on Form I-131, that allows certain individuals — most often people with a pending adjustment of status application — to travel outside the U.S. and be considered for re-entry without abandoning their pending case. It does not by itself guarantee re-entry; the decision to admit you is still made by a Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry.
This commonly applies to pending adjustment of status applicants who need to travel, permanent residents planning travel of one year or more, and asylees or refugees who need a refugee travel document. Traveling without the correct document in place can affect a pending application, so it's important to confirm timing carefully before booking travel.
Travel documents should be requested and, in most cases, approved before you leave the United States — leaving while your request is still pending can be treated as abandoning it, depending on your category. We help you understand general timing considerations for your situation, but exact processing timeframes are set by USCIS, so it's best to plan well ahead of any travel.
Processing times are set by USCIS, the immigration court, or the relevant government agency, not by DocPrep. You can check current USCIS processing times using our Check Status tools or on the official USCIS website.
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Request a serviceThis service is document preparation assistance based on information you provide. DocPrep is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal representation. Outcomes are determined solely by the relevant government agency.
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