New Edition of Form I-131 Effective October 11, 2024

 

Yesterday, USCIS announced that it will introduce a new edition of Form I-131 on Oct. 11, 2024 (today),  This updated form (edition 06/17/24) replaces the previous version from 04/01/24.  

Form I-131  "Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records" is a commonly used form for applicants to apply for travel permission from the USCIS.                                                                                                                                                         

Key Details of the Announcement

No Grace Period: 

As of October 11, USCIS will reject any applications submitted using the older 04/01/24 edition of Form I-131.

New Form Required: 

If you are filing on or after October 11, you must use the new 06/17/24 edition of Form I-131.

For Paper Filings by Mail:

Applications postmarked before October 11, 2024, using the 04/01/24 edition, will be accepted.

Applications postmarked on or after October 11, 2024, using the older form will be rejected.

Make sure to use the updated version of the form to avoid delays or rejections.

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule legal consultation.) 

I-131 Travel Document Denied Due to International Travel

If you have an advance parole travel document application pending, do not leave the United States.   USCIS is denying pending Forms I-131 for abandonment if the applicant travels internationally.  

Generally, when a person applies for adjustment of status, he or she is not allowed to depart from the U.S. without first obtaining an advance parole travel document.  Such departure is considered an abandonment of the I-485 adjustment application.  

However, there are some exceptions to this general rule.  If a person is possession of certain visas such as H-1B, L-1 or K visas, the person is allowed to travel on these visas without an approved an advance parole application.  

Recently, USCIS has been denying Form I-131 advance parole applications for abandonment in instances where the applicant has traveled abroad while the I-131 application was still pending. The pending Form I-131 application is being denied even if the applicant has a separate valid advance parole document or a valid H, K, L, or V visa to return to the United States. 

In the denial notification, USCIS points to the Form I-131 instructions which state that if the applicant departs the United States before the Advance Parole Document is issued, the application for an Advance Parole Document will be considered abandoned. In the past, USCIS has approved advance parole renewal applications for individuals who travel abroad during the pendency of the application with a valid Advance Parole Document or a valid H, K, L, or V visa.  Nevertheless, USCIS management has confirmed that the current policy is to deny such applications. 

This policy may cause some inconvenience but it can be avoided with careful timing of travel plans. Further, applicants may wish to consider submitting a new Form I-131 application to USCIS if a pending application is denied, as well as avoiding international travel during the pendency of the advance parole application. 

Changes in filing address for I-131 Reentry Permit Applications

As of March 19, 2010, the address for filing the I-131 Reentry Permit application has been changed as follows:

If you live in -

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Guam, or the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands


File your application at the USCIS Phoenix Lockbox

U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:

USCIS
PO Box 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036

Express mail and courier deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: AOS
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034

If you live in -

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, or West Virginia

File the I-131 application at the USCIS Dallas Lockbox:

U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:

USCIS
PO Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266

Express mail and courier deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: AOS
2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067


(Note: Filing addresses are subject to change by the government without prior notice.)