I-131A

Application for Carrier Documentation

Agency
USCIS
Revision
Edition 01/20/25
Fillable fields
149
Pages
6
Official source
USCIS form page
Checked
October 20, 2026
Fill I-131A online
Page 1 of form I-131A

Form I-131A: Application for Carrier Documentation

Form I-131A, Application for Carrier Documentation, is used by a person outside the United States to request a travel document that lets them board an airline or other transportation carrier back to the United States without the carrier being penalized.

The instructions explain that carriers face penalties for bringing people without a valid passport and any required visa. A lawful permanent resident (LPR) normally uses a valid Green Card or Reentry Permit, and some others use an Advance Parole Document or an EAD with travel endorsement. When that document is lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged abroad, Form I-131A asks for a transportation letter or boarding foil instead.

The instructions say carrier documentation is generally valid for 30 days, does not guarantee entry, and does not replace a new Green Card, Advance Parole Document or EAD.

Top of page 1 of Form I-131A: Application for Carrier Documentation, as printed by USCIS

What's on Form I-131A

Part 1: Information about you

Name and any name change, mailing address and U.S. physical address, A-Number, USCIS online account number, Social Security number, date of birth, sex, and country of birth and citizenship.

Part 2: Reason for application

One box only, from 1.a. (Green Card lost, stolen or destroyed) through card never received, damaged or expired, lost or damaged advance parole, and lost or damaged EAD, to 1.i. (other).

Part 3: Processing information

Departure date, intended return date, expiration dates of the card, permit or travel document, the related Form I-131 receipt number, and questions on proceedings, Form I-407 or abandonment, earlier carrier documents and revocation.

Part 4: Applicant's statement and signature

Whether you read the form yourself or used an interpreter, whether a preparer helped, your phone and email, the certification and your signature.

Parts 5 to 7: Interpreter, preparer and extra space

Contact details, certification and signature for any interpreter and preparer, then Part 7 for additional information with page, part and item numbers.

How to fill out Form I-131A

  1. 1

    Check with the carrier and the consulate first

    The USCIS page suggests checking with the airline in the expired card and child cases, and asks applicants to contact the nearest Consular Section to confirm it can process Form I-131A before paying the fee.

  2. 2

    Write clearly and answer every question

    Type or print in black ink. The instructions say to write N/A where a question does not apply and None for a zero, and to write stateless with an explanation in Part 7 if you have no citizenship.

  3. 3

    Select one reason in Part 2

    Choose the single box that matches. The USCIS page says a holder of a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed Form I-512T marks box 1.e. or 1.f.

  4. 4

    Give travel dates and explain any Yes answers

    Enter the departure and intended return dates in Part 3 as mm/dd/yyyy. Questions on proceedings, abandonment, earlier carrier documents and revocation ask for details in Part 7 when the answer is Yes.

  5. 5

    Sign Part 4

    A stamped or typed name is not accepted. A parent or legal guardian may sign for an applicant under 14. The page says USCIS rejects an unsigned form. This page lets you fill the form online free, then print it for signature.

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Where to file, evidence and fees

Where to file

The USCIS page says Form I-131A is filed in person with a Consular Section at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The instructions say it is not properly filed until the Embassy or Consulate accepts it.

Fee

The fee is on the USCIS Fee Schedule page (Form G-1055), which can change. The page says it is paid online before the visit, anyone can pay it with the applicant's correct name, date of birth and A-Number, no fee waiver is available and fees are non-refundable.

Proof of payment

The page asks applicants to bring evidence of payment, such as the confirmation page or emailed receipt. The instructions say a form without proof of online payment is rejected and may be corrected and resubmitted.

Evidence to bring

The page lists the original passport, a copy of its biographic page, evidence of LPR status, tickets or itinerary showing departure and return dates, and a recent passport-style photo. The instructions ask for copies of all passport pages and two identical color photos.

Decision

The Embassy or Consulate contacts the applicant with the decision. The instructions say the decision is discretionary and cannot be appealed, and DHS may revoke carrier documentation at any time.

Replacing the lost document

The instructions say carrier documentation does not replace a Green Card, which is replaced with Form I-90, or an advance parole document or EAD, which are replaced with Form I-131 or Form I-765.

Related forms

Who files Form I-131A?

  • Permanent residents abroad without a valid card

    The USCIS page describes an LPR, including a conditional LPR, returning from temporary travel of less than 1 year whose Green Card was lost, stolen or destroyed, or less than 2 years whose Reentry Permit was lost, stolen or destroyed.

  • Holders of a lost advance parole or EAD

    The page also covers a person who is not an LPR but received Form I-512, I-512L or I-512T, or Form I-766 with travel endorsement, that has not expired and was lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed while overseas.

  • A child under 2 traveling for the first time

    The USCIS page says a parent who is an LPR or has an immigrant visa may need to request carrier documentation for a child born abroad, under 2, coming to the United States for the first time, if the carrier will not board the child.

  • When the form may not be needed

    The page lists cases where CBP policy lets a carrier board an LPR with an expired Green Card, such as a 10-year card and less than 1 year abroad. The instructions also mention a returning resident (SB-1) visa as an alternative.

  • Cases DHS may decline

    The instructions list examples: the person is in the United States, is no longer an LPR, already holds valid carrier documentation, or holds a document that expires or is revoked before return. The page says not to file after abandoning LPR status.

Official sources and the blank

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Questions about Form I-131A

Can I file Form I-131A by mail or online?

No. The USCIS page says it is filed in person with a Consular Section at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Only the fee is paid online, before the visit.

Does carrier documentation let me enter the United States?

Not by itself. The instructions say it only shows the carrier you need no visa to apply for admission. CBP still inspects you and decides admissibility at the port of entry.

How long is carrier documentation valid?

The instructions say it is generally valid for 30 days from the date of issuance. It may be a foil placed in your passport or a boarding letter.

My Green Card expired while I was abroad. Do I need Form I-131A?

Maybe not. The USCIS page says CBP policy lets carriers board an LPR with an expired 10-year card after less than 1 year abroad, and some other cases. It suggests checking with the airline first.

Can I request a fee waiver for Form I-131A?

No. The USCIS page says you cannot request a fee waiver for this form. The fee amount is on the USCIS Fee Schedule page.

Can I appeal a denied Form I-131A?

No. The instructions say the decision on Form I-131A is discretionary and cannot be appealed.