USCIS workload—Processing times may be longer than usual during times of high volume. These include peak travel seasons and changes to immigration policies or regulations.
How Long Does the Affirmative Asylum Process Take? A decision should be made on your asylum application within 180 days after the date you filed your application unless there are exceptional circumstances. For more information about the step-by-step asylum process, see the Affirmative Asylum Process page.
Your actual refugee travel document should be issued within about 2 to 5 months from filing your Form I-131. You may request that the actual document be sent to your U.S. address, your attorneys address (if you choose to work with an attorney), or to a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad.
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.
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.
Filed on , approved on July 12, 2024 (14 months). Applicant E: Filed on , approved on July 17, 2024 (14 months).
Your actual refugee travel document should be issued within about 2 to 5 months from filing your Form I-131. You may request that the actual document be sent to your U.S. address, your attorneys address (if you choose to work with an attorney), or to a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad.
The average processing time is around 4-6 months.
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.)
12(a)(5) or A05; • Refugee Travel Document (USCIS Form I-571); • I-730 Approval Letter from USCIS Asylum Office; • Form I-551 with category codes AS6, AS7, AS8, GA6, GA7, or GA8; • Foreign passport stamped to show unexpired, temporary evidence of LPR or “I-551” status and codes AS6, AS7, or AS8; or • Any verification ...