USCIS Form I-131A: Application for Carrier Documentation

Edition date

01/20/25. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.

Where to file

You must file Form I-131A in person with a Consular Section at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Before appearing in person, you must submit the filing fee through the online payment system on our website (see the Filing Fee section below). When you appear in person to file Form I-131A, you must bring evidence that you paid the fee, such as a copy of the payment confirmation page or a copy of the email payment receipt notice.

Before submitting your filing fee, please carefully read the form instructions and contact the nearest Consular Section at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate or visit its website to verify that they can process the Form I-131A.

Filing fee

You can find the filing fee for Form I-131A by visiting our Fee Schedule page. Anyone can pay this fee from anywhere in the world, as long as they enter the correct first and last names, date of birth, and A-Number because this information will appear on your boarding foil.

You can find this information on your Green Card, reentry permit or advance parole document. Whoever pays the fee must pay through our online payment system using a credit card or debit card or U.S. bank account.

If you receive an error message when paying the fee, you should contact a Consular Section at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate with the error message for assistance.

You cannot request a fee waiver for this form. When you send a payment, you agree to pay for a government service.

Filing fees are final and non-refundable, regardless of any action we take on your application, petition, or request, or if you withdraw your request. If you pay by credit card or debit card, you cannot later dispute the payment.

If you are submitting multiple forms, pay each filing fee separately.

Initial evidence

Bring the following evidence when you go to the U.S. Embassy or U.S.

Consulate to submit your Form I-131A: Your original passport; One copy of your passport’s biographic page (showing your photograph and personal information); Evidence that you are a lawful permanent resident; A copy of your tickets, itinerary, or any other evidence indicating your most recent date of departure from the United States and the day you intend to return to the United States; and One passport-style photograph of yourself taken within 30 days of filing this application.

Special instructions

If you are an LPR with an expired Green Card If you have an expired Green Card, you may not need to file Form I-131A. Although regulations generally require an LPR to travel with a valid Green Card, U.S.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) policy allows a transportation carrier bound for the United States to let you board without carrier documentation if you are: An LPR with an expired Green Card that was issued with a 10-year expiration date, and you have been outside the United States for less than 1 year; An LPR with an expired Green Card with a 2-year expiration date, and you also have Form I-797, Notice of Action, showing that you filed Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status, and you have been outside the United States for less than 1 year. The Notice of Action extends the validity of the card for a specified length of time; or An LPR military service member or employee of the U.S. government (or an LPR dependent of such an individual) on official U.S. military or government travel orders, regardless of time outside the United States.