Waiting for your marriage-based green card to be approved takes time. In 2026, the process can take anywhere from several months to over a year. That is a long time to stay inside the United States without visiting family, attending weddings abroad, or taking a vacation.
Many applicants feel “stuck.” They worry that if they leave the U.S. to visit home, the U.S. government will consider their green card application abandoned.
This is a valid fear. If you leave without permission, your application could indeed be cancelled.
However, there is a solution: The I-131 form.
Filing the I-131 form (Application for Travel Document) allows you to ask for permission to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad. For couples navigating the green card process, this is usually called Advance Parole.
In this guide, we will break down exactly what the I-131 form is, who needs it, and how to file it correctly so you can travel with peace of mind.
ℹ️ Key Takeaways
- Don’t Leave Without It: If you have a pending green card application (Form I-485) and you leave the U.S. without an approved I-131 (Advance Parole), your application will likely be denied.
- It’s Not Free Anymore: Unlike in the past, filing Form I-131 along with your green card application now requires a separate filing fee.
- Processing Takes Time: Even though it is for travel, approval is not instant. It usually takes several months to process.
- Re-entry isn’t Guaranteed: The document gives you permission to knock on the door, but a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer still makes the final decision at the airport.
What is the I-131 Form?
The I-131 form is an official application used to request a travel document from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Think of it as a “permission slip” to leave the country and come back.
Depending on your current immigration status, this form is used to apply for three different types of documents:
- Advance Parole: This is for people currently applying for a green card (Adjustment of Status). It lets you travel abroad and return without abandoning your pending application. This is the most common type for Greenbroad customers.
- Re-entry Permit: This is for people who already have a green card (Permanent Residents) but plan to stay outside the U.S. for more than one year (but less than two).
- Refugee Travel Document: This is for people with refugee or asylum status who need to travel outside the U.S.
Why is Advance Parole So Important?
If you are applying for a marriage-based green card from inside the U.S., you are in a “period of authorized stay” while your application is processing.
However, if you step foot outside the U.S. border before your I-131 form is approved, USCIS assumes you are no longer interested in becoming a permanent resident. They will consider your green card application “abandoned” and deny it. You would then have to start the process over from scratch, likely from outside the country.
Advance Parole protects your application.
Who Needs to File an I-131 Form?
Let’s look at a few scenarios to see if this i-131 guide applies to you.
Scenario A: The Applicant (Advance Parole)
- Who: Sarah is a French citizen who married Mike, a U.S. citizen. She is in the U.S. and just filed her I-485 (Adjustment of Status) to get her green card.
- Need: She wants to go to France for her sister’s wedding next summer.
- Action: Sarah MUST file the I-131 form. She cannot leave the U.S. until she receives her travel document (often a paper document or a combo card).
Scenario B: The Permanent Resident (Re-entry Permit)
- Who: Juan already has his 10-year green card.
- Need: His company is sending him to work in Japan for 18 months.
- Action: Juan should file the I-131 form for a Re-entry Permit. If he stays away for more than a year without it, he could lose his green card status.
Scenario C: The Visa Holder
- Who: Li is in the U.S. on a student visa (F-1) and has not applied for a green card.
- Need: She wants to go home for winter break.
- Action: Li does not need an I-131. She travels using her valid passport and student visa.
Note: If you are holding a valid H-1B or L-1 visa (and your spouse has H-4 or L-2), different rules may apply regarding travel while a green card case is pending. Always check Advance Parole vs Visa - What’s the Difference? or consult a lawyer.
I-131 Fees and Processing Times in 2026
Immigration costs and timelines change frequently. Here is the current landscape for 2026.
The Filing Fee
Historically, the travel document application was free if you filed it with your green card application. This changed in 2024.
As of 2026, you must pay a separate filing fee for the I-131 form, even if you submit it in the same envelope as your green card application.
- Advance Parole Fee: Approximately $630.
- Re-entry Permit Fee: Approximately $630.
- Biometrics Fee: Some applicants generally do not pay a separate biometrics fee for the I-131 if filed concurrently, but always check the specific instructions for your category as USCIS updates these rules often.
Note: You can check the exact, down-to-the-cent fee on the official USCIS I-131 page before filing.
Processing Time
How long will you wait?
- Advance Parole: Currently taking 8 to 14 months.
- Re-entry Permit: Currently taking 12 to 18 months.
Because processing times are long, we recommend filing the I-131 immediately when you file your green card application. Do not wait until you have a trip planned. By the time you plan a trip, it may be too late to apply.
🚀 Feeling Overwhelmed by Forms?
Between the fees, the categories, and the evidence, immigration paperwork is stressful. You don’t have to do it alone.
Greenbroad helps you build a complete marriage-based green card application package—including your travel documents—for a flat fee of $749. We check your forms for errors so you can file with confidence.
How to Fill I-131: A Step-by-Step Guide
This section provides a general overview of how to fill I-131. The form is roughly 5 pages long. Here is what you need to know for a standard Advance Parole application based on a pending marriage green card.
Part 1: Information About You
This is straightforward. Enter your name, address, and physical information (height, weight, hair color).
- A-Number: If you have an Alien Registration Number (A-Number) from a previous work permit or your I-485 receipt notice, enter it here. If you have never had interaction with USCIS before, you may leave this blank.
Part 2: Application Type
This is the most critical section. You must check the correct box.
- For Advance Parole (waiting on green card): You typically check Item 1.d: “I am applying for an Advance Parole Document to allow me to return to the United States after temporary foreign travel.”
- For Re-entry Permit (current green card holder): You check Item 1.a.
Part 3: Processing Information
- Date of Intended Departure: If you don’t have a specific trip planned, it is okay to put an estimated date or write “TBD” (To Be Determined), though providing a tentative date is often better.
- Length of Trip: Estimate the number of days.
- Purpose of Trip: You can write “Visiting family” or “Wedding” or “Vacation.” You do not need a dire emergency to apply for standard Advance Parole.
Part 4: Information About Your Proposed Travel
This section asks specifically about the purpose of your trip and list of countries. Be honest.
Part 7: Complete Only If Applying for Advance Parole
You will need to attach a copy of the receipt notice for your pending green card application (Form I-485) to prove you are eligible. If you are filing the I-131 form at the same time as the I-485, you don’t have a receipt yet. In that case, simply placing them in the same package is sufficient proof.
Required Documents Checklist
When you mail your application, you cannot just send the form. You must include supporting evidence.
For a standard Advance Parole application filed concurrently with a marriage green card, you generally need:
- Form I-131: Signed and dated.
- Filing Fee: Check, money order, or credit card authorization (Form G-1450).
- Two Passport-Style Photos: 2x2 inches, color, white background. Write your name and A-Number on the back lightly in pencil.
- Government-Issued Photo ID: Copy of your passport biographical page or driver’s license.
- Proof of Status/Eligibility:
- If filing with your I-485: No extra proof needed; just include it in the packet.
- If filing after your I-485: A copy of your I-485 Receipt Notice (Form I-797C).
- Marriage Certificate: Copy (evidence of relationship).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even a small error can cause a rejection. Watch out for these common pitfalls when dealing with the I-131 form:
1. Missing Signatures
The most common reason for rejection is forgetting to sign the form. USCIS does not accept digital signatures or stamped signatures on the paper form—it must be a “wet” signature in black ink.
2. Leaving Before Approval
We cannot stress this enough: Do not travel before you have the document in hand. Even if you filed the form, if you leave the U.S. while it is “pending,” your green card application (I-485) will be considered abandoned. You will likely be stuck outside the U.S.
3. Incorrect Fees
Since the fee change in 2024, many people still attempt to file for free or send the old amount. Double-check the current fee on the USCIS website or use a service like Greenbroad to ensure your payment is correct.
4. Not Checking “Multiple Trips”
In Part 3, the form asks if you intend to travel once or multiple times. Always select “More than one trip” if you want the flexibility to travel freely for the duration of the document’s validity (usually one year).
What Happens After You File?
1. Receipt Notice
About 2-4 weeks after mailing your application, you will receive a Receipt Notice (I-797C) in the mail. This proves USCIS has your case.
2. Biometrics
You may be scheduled for a biometrics appointment (fingerprinting). If you filed your green card application at the same time, you usually only attend one appointment for both forms.
3. The Wait
This is the hardest part. You must wait 8-14 months for processing. You can check your case status online using the receipt number.
4. Approval
Once approved, you will receive your travel document.
- Combo Card: In the past, USCIS often issued a “Combo Card”—a single card that served as both your Work Permit (EAD) and your Advance Parole.
- Decoupled Documents: In 2026, it is increasingly common for USCIS to approve the Work Permit first and the Travel Document later. You might receive a standalone paper document (Form I-512L) that looks like a letter with your photo on it. This is your travel document. Keep it safe!
Conclusion
The I-131 form is one of the most important documents in your immigration journey. It gives you the freedom to see your family and travel the world while you wait for your green card to be processed.
While the form itself is not overly complex, the timing and the rules surrounding travel are strict. A mistake here doesn’t just mean a rejected form—it could mean losing your place in line for your green card.
Don’t Let Paperwork Keep You Grounded
You have enough to worry about without stressing over check-boxes and filing fees.
Greenbroad makes the process simple. For a flat fee of $749, we help you prepare your entire marriage-based green card package, including Form I-131 for travel and Form I-765 for work authorization.
We provide a personalized document checklist, review your forms for accuracy, and give you clear instructions on how to file.
Start your application with Greenbroad today and get ready to travel.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and fees change frequently. If you have a complex immigration history, criminal record, or previous visa violations, we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified immigration attorney.