Q: What is a Travel Document and Who Needs One?
A: If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may need permission to return to the United States after traveling abroad. This permission is granted through a travel document. Travel documents are also given to people who want to travel, but cannot get a passport from their country of nationality. See Advance Parole, Reentry Permit, and Refugee Travel for more information.
Q: Where Can I Find the Law?
A: The legal foundation for requiring these travel documents comes from the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). INA § 211 discusses documents required to admit aliens and control their travel. INA § 212 states that any immigrant who does not have the correct travel documents will not be admitted to the United States.
The specific eligibility requirements for travel documents are found in Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). 8 CFR § 223 describes the purpose, processing, and validity and effect on admissibility of all three documents.
How to File
The alien must file Form I-131, Application for a Travel Document, complete with supporting documentation, photos and applicable fees. This form can be downloaded from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) website. ( Form I-131 ) See the application for specific filing instructions.
How to File For a Re-Entry Permit
If the alien is a permanent resident or conditional resident, he or she must attach:
A copy of the alien registration receipt card; or
If he has not yet received his alien registration receipt card, a copy of the biographic page of his passport and the page of his passport indicating initial admission as a permanent resident, or other evidence that the alien is a permanent resident; or
A copy of the approval notice of a separate application for replacement of the alien registration receipt card or temporary evidence of permanent resident status.
How to File For Advance Parole
An alien in the United States and applying for an Advance Parole document for him or herself must attach:
A copy of any document issued to the alien by DHS showing present status in the United States;
An explanation or other evidence demonstrating the circumstances that warrant issuance of Advance Parole.
If the alien is basing his or her eligibility for Advance Parole on a separate application for adjustment of status or asylum, he must also attach a copy of the filing receipt for that application.
If the alien is traveling to Canada to apply for an immigrant visa, he or she must also attach a copy of the consular appointment.
How to File For a Refugee Travel Document
If the alien is a refugee or asylee applying for a refugee travel document, he or she must attach:
A copy of the document issued by DHS showing the alien's refugee or asylee status and indicating the expiration of such status.
Where to File
Where to file the Form I-131 depends upon the benefit sought. See the form instruction page for details.
When to File
The alien must apply for the travel document before leaving the United States. Failure to do so may cause the alien to lose permission to re-enter the country, and lead to the denial of any other applications.
Q: How Can I Find Out the Status of My Application?
A: To check the status of your application, please contact the USCIS office that received your application. You should be prepared to provide the USCIS staff with specific information about your application. Please click here for complete instructions on checking the status of your application. Please click here for more information on USCIS field offices.
拥有绿卡后怎样可以旅居海外又不失永久居民身份
随着中国大陆以及亚洲市场的蓬勃发展，越来越多的机会呈现在太平洋彼岸。到国外发展成为了越来越多的在美华人的热门话题。与此同时，对于获得绿卡的在美华人来说，如何可以既能够在美国以外国家长期旅居，又可以保证自己的永久居民身份不失效，成为了大家关注的焦点。
美国移民法规定，绿卡持有人在离开美国1年之内可以持绿卡再进入美国；如果绿卡持有者需要在美国境外旅居1年以上2年以内，他们需要申请 「白皮书」(Reentry Permit)以便今后回到美国。虽然绿卡持有人在离开美国1年之内可以持绿卡进入美国，但不少绿卡持有人有这样一个错误观念：只要每年回美国呆上几星期 就能保持其绿卡。这一错误观念正是来自于以上的规定。每年回美国呆上几个星期并不能证明绿卡持有人有在美国永久居住的意图和保持永久居民身份的愿望。尽管 一些绿卡持有人每年回到美国呆上几个星期，但因为他们和美国没有足够的联系以证明美国是其永久居住地而被移民局取消绿卡。
