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⚠️ Not legal advice. Processing times change frequently. Always verify at USCIS.gov. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for your case.
Last updated: July 22, 2026. Data refreshed weekly from USCIS.gov processing-time pages. USVisaStack is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of Labor, or the Department of State.
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I-131 Processing Times by Service Center
| Service Center | Category | Processing Range | Data Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBC | Advance Parole (Pending I-485) | 5.0–7.0 months | Mar 2026 |
| NBC | Reentry Permit | 9.0–12.0 months | Mar 2026 |
| NBC | Refugee Travel Document | 4.0–6.0 months | Mar 2026 |
Source: USCIS.gov. Data updated regularly.
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About I-131 — Application for Travel Document
Form I-131 is used for: Advance Parole, Refugee Travel. Processing times vary by USCIS service center and petition volume.
Premium processing (Form I-907) is available for many I-131 petitions — it guarantees a decision within 15 business days for an additional fee (currently $2,965).
I-131 Document Types: Which One Do You Need?
Form I-131 is a single form that produces three different travel documents depending on your immigration status. Using the wrong document can result in denial of entry — understanding the differences matters.
| Document | Who Uses It | Typical Processing | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance Parole | Pending I-485 (adjustment of status) applicants, TPS holders, DACA recipients | 5–7 months | $630 (standalone) / $0 (concurrent with I-485) |
| Reentry Permit | LPRs (green card holders) who need to travel for 1–2 years and want to preserve residency | 9–12 months | $630 |
| Refugee Travel Document | Refugees, asylees who need to travel internationally | 4–6 months | $630 |
Key rule: If you have a pending I-485, you must have an approved I-131 (Advance Parole) before traveling abroad — even a short trip can be treated as abandonment of your application if you leave without it. F-1 students on OPT and H-1B workers generally do not need advance parole to travel and re-enter.
Advance Parole vs. Reentry Permit: What's the Difference?
These are commonly confused but serve different populations and purposes:
| Factor | Advance Parole | Reentry Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Who files | Non-citizens with pending adjustment of status (I-485), TPS, or DACA | Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) |
| Max validity | 1 year (or until I-485 decision, whichever comes first) | 2 years maximum (8 CFR 223.3) |
| Effect on residency | Does not reset the 1-year absence rule for LPRs | Protects LPR status during extended absences (up to 2 years with permit) |
| Entry requirement | Must be approved BEFORE departing the US | Does not guarantee entry — CBP makes final decision at port |
| Premium processing | Not available | Not available |
| Fee when concurrent | $0 if filed with I-485 | N/A (LPRs file separately) |
Practical tip: If you are a green card holder planning to be outside the US for more than 6 months but less than 2 years, apply for a reentry permit at least 90 days before you leave. It cannot be filed from outside the US — file it while you are still in the country.
USCIS I-131 Processing Times by Document Type (2026)
Based on the latest USCIS data (NBC/NSC, March 2026). Processing times vary significantly by document type — advance parole for pending I-485 is typically faster than a reentry permit.
| Document Type | Service Center | Processing Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance Parole (Pending I-485) | NBC | 5–7 months | Fastest — processed concurrently with I-485 in many cases |
| Reentry Permit | NBC | 9–12 months | Longest wait — LPRs should apply 6+ months before planned travel |
| Refugee Travel Document | NBC | 4–6 months | Refugees and asylees — file early before any planned travel |
| DACA Advance Parole | NBC / TSC | 6–12 months | Longest for this category — humanitarian/educational/employment travel only |
| TPS Advance Parole | NBC | 5–8 months | TPS holders traveling for humanitarian reasons |
Source: USCIS.gov. Data as of March 2026. Actual times may vary by service center. Always verify at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times.
Why Is My I-131 Taking So Long?
I-131 delays are common and have specific causes. Here is how to diagnose your situation:
- Service center volume: NBC (National Benefits Center) handles the majority of I-131s for I-485 concurrent filings. When I-485 volume surges (often post-H-1B lottery season), NBC's I-131 queue backs up significantly.
- Reentry permit is inherently slower: USCIS treats reentry permit applications (from LPRs) differently from advance parole. LPRs applying for reentry permits often see 9–12 months even when advance parole on I-485 concurrent filings run 5–7 months.
- Biometrics delays: USCIS may require applicants born in certain countries to appear for additional security reviews. This "security checks" step can add 60–180 days to any I-131.
- Concurrent I-485 on hold: If your concurrent I-485 is on hold (due to RFE, audit, or priority date retrogression), USCIS may not adjudicate the I-131 until the I-485 resumes.
- DACA/TPS cases are slowest: I-131 for DACA recipients and TPS holders consistently takes longer than advance parole for adjustment applicants — USCIS treats these with additional scrutiny.
Expedite option: If you have an urgent humanitarian need (medical treatment, emergency travel), call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 and request an expedite. Include documentation: medical records, death certificates, airline tickets, etc. Congressional inquiries are also highly effective for I-131 delays — contact your representative's office with your receipt number.
I-131 for H-1B and F-1 Holders: Do You Need It?
A common source of confusion: H-1B and F-1 visa holders often think they need advance parole. Most do not.
- F-1 students on OPT: You travel on your F-1 visa and EAD, not advance parole. If your OPT EAD is expired and your I-765 renewal is pending, the 180-day auto-extension covers your work authorization — but travel still uses the F-1 visa stamp.
- H-1B holders: You use your H-1B visa to re-enter the US, not advance parole. If your H-1B is expired but a transfer or extension is pending, you should not travel without consulting an attorney — a "portability" issue may affect your status.
- When H-1B/F-1 DO need I-131: Only if you have also filed I-485 and it is pending. In that case, you cannot use the H-1B/F-1 visa alone to re-enter — you need advance parole to re-enter while the I-485 is pending without abandoning it.
- L-2 / H-4 dependents: You generally travel on your own visa or the principal's visa. If you have a pending I-485, advance parole is required for international travel.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does I-131 advance parole processing take in 2026?
As of March 2026, I-131 processing takes 5–12 months depending on document type. Advance parole for pending I-485 applicants (NBC): 5–7 months. Reentry permit (LPRs): 9–12 months. Refugee Travel Document: 4–6 months. DACA advance parole: 6–12 months. File at least 90 days before planned travel — processing can exceed the published range during high-volume periods. Check current times at usvisastack.ai/processing-times/i-131.
What is the difference between advance parole, reentry permit, and refugee travel document?
All three are issued via Form I-131 but serve different populations: (1) Advance Parole — for non-citizens with pending I-485, TPS, or DACA who need to travel internationally and return without a visa. Must be approved BEFORE you leave the US. (2) Reentry Permit — for lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who plan to be outside the US for 1–2 years. Protects LPR status during extended absences. (3) Refugee Travel Document — for refugees and asylees traveling internationally. File at least 3 months before travel as processing can be slow.
Can I travel internationally while my I-485 is pending without advance parole?
Technically, F-1/H-1B/H-4/L-2 visa holders with pending I-485 can travel on their existing visa without abandoning the I-485 — but this is a complex area. CBP at the port of entry may scrutinize the pending adjustment. DACA and TPS applicants absolutely need advance parole approved before travel — leaving without it can be treated as abandonment of those programs. Pending I-485 applicants who depart without advance parole may also lose the ability to use AC21 portability to change employers. Always consult an immigration attorney before traveling with a pending I-485.
Is premium processing available for I-131?
No. Premium processing (Form I-907) is not available for any I-131 category — advance parole, reentry permit, or refugee travel document. There is no mechanism to pay for faster adjudication. The only way to potentially speed up processing is to: (1) Call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 and request an expedite with documented humanitarian need (medical, emergency travel, death in family); (2) Contact your congressional representative — congressional inquiries often receive faster responses than direct expedite requests; (3) If you have a confirmed travel date within 30 days, contact your local congressperson with your receipt number and flight itinerary.
What is the I-131 filing fee in 2026?
As of April 2026: $630 when filed alone (standalone advance parole or reentry permit); $0 when filed concurrently with I-485 (adjustment of status); $260 when filed concurrently with I-765 (EAD only). When filing I-131 + I-485 + I-765 together as concurrent applications, the total filing fees are: I-485 ($1,470) + I-765 ($520) + I-131 ($0 if concurrent with I-485) = $1,990. Fee waivers are available for humanitarian-based cases and some mean-tested categories. Always check uscis.gov/fees for current amounts before filing.
Can F-1 students on OPT travel without advance parole?
Yes — F-1 OPT students travel on their F-1 visa stamp and their EAD card (Form I-766), not on advance parole. You do not need I-131 advance parole for international travel as an F-1 student. If your OPT EAD is expired and you have a timely-filed I-765 renewal, the 180-day auto-extension covers your work authorization — but travel still requires a valid F-1 visa in your passport. The exception: if you also have a pending I-485, you DO need advance parole to travel and re-enter without abandoning the I-485.
Can H-1B holders travel internationally without advance parole?
Yes — H-1B holders with a valid H-1B visa can travel internationally and re-enter using the H-1B visa, regardless of any pending I-485. However, if your H-1B is expired and you are on H-1B extension pending (AC21 portability), travel becomes risky — you should not leave the US until the extension is approved or you consult an immigration attorney. If you have a pending I-485 alongside an expired H-1B, traveling on an advance parole document lets you re-enter without the H-1B — but this may affect your ability to maintain H-1B status for future filings. Get legal advice before traveling in this situation.
What happens to my I-131 if my I-485 is approved while it is pending?
Once your I-485 is approved (you become a lawful permanent resident), the advance parole document becomes void — LPRs do not need advance parole to re-enter the US. If you have a reentry permit and become a US citizen, the reentry permit also becomes invalid (citizens can travel on their US passport). If your I-485 is denied while the I-131 is pending, the I-131 is also denied as it was tied to the adjustment application. In that case, you would need to either leave the US or consult an immigration attorney immediately about other options.
How do I track my I-131 case status?
Three ways: (1) USVisaStack case status checker at usvisastack.ai/case-status — enter your receipt number for instant status with AI explanation. Your I-131 receipt number format is the same 13-character receipt as your I-485 (e.g., EAC1234567890 or NBC2390XXXXX). (2) USCIS online status at egov.uscis.gov/casestatus. (3) Create a myUSCIS account and link your case for email updates. Note: I-131 and I-485 cases often share a receipt number when filed concurrently — the status page will show both.
Can I file I-131 online?
Yes — USCIS accepts I-131 online filing through myUSCIS for most categories including advance parole (concurrent with I-485), refugee travel document, and reentry permit. Online filing is generally faster and allows you to track status, upload documents, and receive notices electronically. Paper filing by mail is also available. If you are filing for advance parole to travel while your I-485 is pending, online filing through myUSCIS is the recommended approach — it is faster and the case is easier to track.