If you are a permanent or conditional permanent resident who has been outside the U.S. for one year or longer, apply for a re-entry permit before you travel. 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.
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.)
Planning Your Trip The travel document usually arrives within 150 days (sometimes longer) after submitting your application. You can't leave the country until you have your approved travel document in hand, so you should expect to spend the 3–5 months after submitting your green card application in the United States.
Sign into your USCIS online account to receive automatic updates, including your U.S. Postal Service (USPS) tracking number when we mail your card or travel document. If you did not file online and do not have a USCIS online account, review the instructions to create an account to track your case.
Planning Your Trip The travel document usually arrives within 150 days (sometimes longer) after submitting your application. You can't leave the country until you have your approved travel document in hand, so you should expect to spend the 3–5 months after submitting your green card application in the United States.
The processing of an ESTA can take up to 72 hours.
A23. Registration for TPS does not prevent individuals from applying for or maintaining a nonimmigrant status, such as a tourist visa; however, they should submit Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, and obtain a travel document before travelling outside of the United States.
Three federal appellate circuits (the Sixth, Eighth, and Ninth Circuits) ruled that a person with valid TPS status could adjust status to lawful permanent residence if otherwise eligible through a family-based or employment-based petition, even if he or she entered the United States without inspection.
The processing time for a travel permit (Advance Parole) currently averages 5-24 months, depending on the service center processing your application.
If we approve your Form I-131 and you are a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiary in the United States who wishes to travel outside the United States, we will issue you Form I-512T, Authorization for Travel by a Noncitizen to the United States.