To ask about emergency processing of a travel document, call the Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or request an appointment through My Appointment. If your situation qualifies for emergency processing, we will schedule an appointment for you with a local field office.
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.
The average processing time is around 4-6 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.
3. What are the Requirements to Get a Refugee Travel Document? Must be a refugee or asylee or lawful permanent resident. Must be physically present in the U.S. when your refugee travel document application is filed. Must file Form I-131, submit the required supporting documents, and attend a biometrics appointment.
To ask about emergency processing of a travel document, call the Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or request an appointment through My Appointment. If your situation qualifies for emergency processing, we will schedule an appointment for you with a local field office.
If the noncitizen is in exclusion, deportation, removal, or rescission proceedings and they seek an Advance Parole Document so that they can seek parole upon their return to the United States, USCIS generally will not approve their Form I-131 or issue them an Advance Parole Document.
ESTA is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Authorization via ESTA does not determine whether a traveler is admissible to the United States.
Under United States law, a refugee is someone who: Is located outside of the United States. Is of special humanitarian concern to the United States. Demonstrates that they were persecuted or fear persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
The Refugee Travel Document is similar in appearance to a U.S. passport. How do I apply for a Refugee Travel Document? To apply for a Refugee Travel Document, file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.