You may ask us to expedite adjudication of your Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records, by calling the Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma. (You can access Emma by clicking on the Ask Emma icon on the top right of this page.)
To apply for a Refugee Travel Document, file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. Filing instructions and forms are available on our Web site at cis. Follow the instructions on the form carefully. For further information please visit our Web site or call Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283.
You generally need to apply for and obtain a travel document before you leave the United States. Before planning travel, please consider USCIS processing times. If you have an urgent need to travel outside the United States, see our Expedite Request and Emergency Travel pages for additional information.
The fastest and easiest way to apply for a travel document is as part of the original marriage green card application package you send to USCIS, by including Form I-131 (“Application for Travel Document”) along with the main forms (I-130 and I-485).
ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. The processing of an ESTA can take up to 72 hours. It is also advisable to check the status of an already approved ESTA in advance of traveling to make sure that it is still valid.
If you are requesting expedited processing of a travel document, you generally need to apply for and obtain the document before you leave the United States. You should make your expedite request on your pending application at least 45 days before you plan to leave the United States.
Use Form I-131 - Application for Travel Document. For permanent residents, the re-entry permit is valid for two years from the date of issue. For conditional permanent residents, the re-entry permit is valid for two years after the date of issue.
A Travel Authorization (TE) is used to request approval for a business-related trip. In this document, the traveler indicates trip destination(s), purpose, and dates of travel and requests advance checks. In response, the TE records trip information and schedules advance checks.
Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) operate slightly differently than the E-visa. An ETA is a digital travel permit that allows foreign visitors to register electronically without the need for a traditional visa.
If you're visiting for less than 90 days, you may be eligible to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If not, you'll need to get a visa before you travel.