Form I-131A, Application for Carrier Documentation, is issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for lawful permanent residents and certain travel-document holders who are outside the United States without a usable Green Card, reentry permit or travel document. If DHS approves it, you receive a Transportation Letter or Boarding Foil that you show to the airline or other carrier. On this page you can fill out the I-131A online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form, its instructions and the filing rules are published by USCIS, and the form is filed in person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Last updated
What is Form I-131A?
Form I-131A, Application for Carrier Documentation, is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form used to request Carrier Documentation, a Transportation Letter or Boarding Foil, when a Green Card, reentry permit or travel document is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged during temporary travel abroad.
U.S. law penalizes carriers such as airlines and ships that bring to the United States foreign nationals without a valid passport and any required visa. A permanent resident normally uses a valid Permanent Resident Card or Reentry Permit instead of a visa. Without one, boarding can be difficult. Carrier Documentation lets you show the carrier that you do not need to provide a visa or comparable document.
DHS decides each request as a matter of discretion, case by case. Carrier Documentation is generally valid for 30 days from issuance and does not guarantee admission: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) still inspects you at the port of entry. DHS may also revoke it at any time, with or without notice.
Form I-131A does not replace the lost document. A new Permanent Resident Card requires Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. A new Form I-512/I-512L or Form I-766 with travel endorsement requires Form I-131 and/or Form I-765 after you return. It is also not used to apply for or replace Humanitarian Parole; the instructions for Form I-131 cover that.
Who needs to file Form I-131A?
You may file Form I-131A if you are a lawful permanent resident (LPR) or conditional LPR who:
- was lawfully admitted and has not lost status by abandonment or removal;
- is traveling abroad temporarily, without intent to abandon status;
- wants to return with a valid Green Card after an absence of less than 1 year, or with a valid Reentry Permit after an absence of less than 2 years; and
- has no valid, unexpired Green Card, Reentry Permit or other entry document, for example because it was lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged.
You may also file if you are not an LPR but hold a Form I-512/I-512L, Advance Parole Document, or Form I-766 with travel endorsement that was not revoked, that was lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged, and that would not expire before your return. USCIS also names Form I-512T among the documents covered.
DHS may decline if you are physically in the United States, are no longer a valid LPR, still hold valid Carrier Documentation, or hold an Advance Parole Boarding Foil issued by the Department of State while abroad; in that case report to the consular office that issued it.
You may not need the form with an expired 10-year Green Card, or with an expired 2-year card plus a valid Form I-797 for Form I-751 or I-829. Check with your carrier first. An SB-1 returning resident visa is an alternative. A parent or legal guardian may sign for an applicant under 14.
When to file Form I-131A
File Form I-131A when you are outside the United States on temporary travel and your Green Card, Reentry Permit, Advance Parole Document or Form I-766 with travel endorsement is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged, and you need to board a carrier to return. The length of your absence counts from the day you left the United States to the day you pay the Form I-131A fee. That absence must be under 1 year to return on a Green Card and under 2 years on a Reentry Permit; an Advance Parole Document or travel-endorsed Form I-766 must not expire before your return. If approved, Carrier Documentation is generally valid for 30 days from issuance. The instructions give no processing time; the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you filed contacts you with the decision.
Documents you need
- A copy of all pages of your original passport, including the biographic page. You must present the original passport when you receive the Boarding Foil or transportation letter.
- For an LPR or conditional LPR: evidence of status, if available, such as a copy of Form I-551, your immigrant visa or the CBP admission stamp in your passport.
- If you are not an LPR but have an Advance Parole Document: a copy of your Form I-512/I-512L or your Employment Authorization Document with travel endorsement, if available.
- Tickets, itinerary or other evidence, such as e-tickets or boarding passes, showing your last departure date from the United States and your intended return date.
- Two identical recent color passport-style photographs, 2 by 2 inches, white or off-white background, unmounted and unretouched, with your name and A-Number (if any) lightly printed on the back.
- Proof that you paid the filing fee online, such as the payment confirmation page or the email receipt notice, to bring when you appear at the Embassy or Consulate.
- Evidence of your legal name change, only if you answered Yes to Part 1, Item Number 2.
- Form G-28 or Form G-28I, only if an attorney or accredited representative assists you and needs to enter an appearance.
- A full English translation with the translator's signed certification, for any document in a foreign language.
How to fill out Form I-131A
Add attorney or representative details
If an attorney or accredited representative assists you, they complete the box at the top of page 1 and select the box if Form G-28 or G-28I is attached. Leave it blank if you have no representative.
Enter your name and name change
In Part 1, Items 1.a.–1.c., enter your family name, given name and middle name. Answer Item 2 and, if you answered Yes, attach evidence of your legal name change.
Enter your mailing and physical address
Complete Items 3.a.–3.i. with your current mailing address, then answer Item 4. If it is not the same as your U.S. physical address, give that address in Items 5.a.–5.e.
Complete your personal information
Enter your A-Number (Item 6), USCIS Online Account Number (Item 7) and U.S. Social Security Number (Item 8), each if any. Then give date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy), sex, country of birth and country of citizenship in Items 9–12; type "stateless" and explain in Part 7 if you have no citizenship.
Select one reason for applying
In Part 2, select only one box, 1.a.–1.i., for your lost, stolen, destroyed, damaged, expired or never-received Green Card, Form I-512/I-512L or Form I-766. For a lost or damaged Form I-512T, USCIS says to mark Box 1.e. or 1.f.
Enter your travel and document dates
In Part 3, Items 1–2, give the date you left the United States and your intended travel date to the United States. Items 3–5 ask for the expiration of your Green Card, Reentry Permit and Form I-512/I-512L or I-766, and Item 6 for the Form I-131 receipt number if applicable.
Answer the history questions
Answer Items 7, 8, 9.a. and 10.a. on proceedings, abandonment of status, prior Carrier Documents and revoked documents. If you answer Yes to 9.a. or 10.a., complete 9.b.–9.c. or 10.b.–10.c. and add details in Part 7.
Complete the applicant's statement and sign
In Part 4, select Item 1.a. or 1.b., and Item 2 if a preparer helped you. Give your daytime telephone, mobile telephone and email, then sign and date in Items 6.a. and 6.b.
Complete the interpreter section if used
If an interpreter read the form to you, Part 5 needs the interpreter's name, organization, address, contact details, signature and date. Skip it if you read the form yourself.
Complete the preparer section if used
If someone other than you prepared the application, Part 6 needs their name, address, contact details, Statement 7.a. or 7.b., signature and date. Skip it if you prepared the form yourself.
Use Part 7 for extra space
Add extra answers in Part 7, giving the page, part and item number each answer refers to. Sign and date each additional sheet, with your name and A-Number at the top.
Review, download and prepare the package
Check that every item is answered or marked N/A, answers match your passport, and the form is signed. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then assemble the evidence and fee receipt described under How to submit.
How to submit Form I-131A
Form I-131A is filed in person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, after the filing fee is paid online to USCIS. It is not mailed to a USCIS address.
- Confirm the post: contact the nearest Consular Section or check its website before paying, to verify that it can process Form I-131A and how to file there.
- Pay the fee online: use the USCIS online payment system with a credit or debit card or a U.S. bank account. Anyone may pay from anywhere, but the first and last name, date of birth and A-Number entered must be correct because they appear on the Boarding Foil. A fee applies and no fee waiver is available; see the USCIS Fee Schedule or Form G-1055 for the amount. Pay each form separately.
- Appear in person: bring the signed form, your evidence and proof of payment, such as the payment confirmation page or the emailed receipt.
- Decision: the Embassy or Consulate contacts you using the details on the form. The decision is discretionary and cannot be appealed.
USCIS rejects a form that is unsigned or lacks proof of fee payment, and treats it as properly filed only once the Embassy or Consulate accepts it. For questions, call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting the form unsigned or with a typed or stamped name instead of a handwritten signature; USCIS rejects it.
- Going to the Embassy or Consulate without proof that the filing fee was paid online; USCIS rejects a Form I-131A without it.
- Trying to mail Form I-131A to USCIS instead of filing it in person at a Consular Section of a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
- Selecting more than one box in Part 2, Reason for Application, when the form says to select only one box.
- Entering a name, date of birth or A-Number on the online fee payment that does not match your documents; this information appears on your Boarding Foil.
- Using Form I-131A to replace a Boarding Foil issued by the Department of State, or to apply for Humanitarian Parole.
- Answering Yes to Part 3 items 7, 8 or 10.a. without giving details in Part 7, Additional Information.
- Leaving out an English translation and translator certification for foreign-language documents.
- Treating Carrier Documentation as a replacement Green Card; you still need Form I-90 for a new Permanent Resident Card.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form I-131A used for?
Form I-131A is the USCIS application for Carrier Documentation, a Transportation Letter or Boarding Foil. Lawful permanent residents and some Advance Parole or travel-endorsed EAD holders use it to board a carrier to the United States when their Green Card or travel document is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged abroad.
Where do I file Form I-131A?
In person at a Consular Section of a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. First check with that post that it can process the form, then pay the fee online to USCIS and bring proof of payment. The form is not mailed to a USCIS lockbox.
Does Carrier Documentation replace my Green Card?
No. It only lets you show a carrier that you need no visa to travel to the United States, and CBP still decides admissibility at the port of entry. To replace a Green Card you must file Form I-90; for a Form I-512/I-512L or Form I-766, file Form I-131 and/or Form I-765 after you return.
How long is Carrier Documentation valid?
Generally 30 days from the date of issuance. DHS may revoke or terminate it at any time, with or without notice, which could affect your travel, so plan your return soon after you receive it.
Do I need Form I-131A if my Green Card expired?
Not always. A carrier may let you board with an expired 10-year card, or an expired 2-year conditional card plus a valid Form I-797 for Form I-751 or I-829, after less than 1 year abroad. Check with your carrier first; if it refuses to board you, file Form I-131A.
Is there a fee or fee waiver for Form I-131A?
A filing fee applies and it is paid online through the USCIS payment system before you appear at the Embassy or Consulate. You cannot request a fee waiver, and fees are non-refundable. See the USCIS Fee Schedule or Form G-1055 for the amount.
Can I fill out Form I-131A online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can complete the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form or pay the fee; you still file it in person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Can I appeal a denied Form I-131A?
No. The instructions say the decision on Form I-131A is discretionary and cannot be appealed. The Embassy or Consulate where you filed notifies you of the decision using the contact details on the form.
Who can sign Form I-131A for a child?
A parent or legal guardian may sign for an applicant under 14, and a legal guardian may sign for a mentally incompetent person. USCIS does not accept a stamped or typewritten name, and an unsigned form is rejected.
Ready to fill out Form I-131A?
Fill out Form I-131A now