TRAVEL DOCUMENTS FAQ

A: If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may need permission to return to the United States after traveling abroad. Re-Entry Permit is a travel document issued to Lawful Permanent Residents LPR (Green Card holders, including conditional residents) to re-enter the United States. Re-Entry Permit is given to foreign nationals who want to travel abroad but cannot get a passport from their country of nationality, and Lawful Permanent Residents should apply for travel document if he/she plans to travel abroad for 1 year or more. Re-Entry Permits are generally valid for two years from the date the Re-Entry permit was issued. A Green Card holder has to apply for it before leaving the U.S. Re-Entry Permit does not replace your Green Card status, nor the passport from the country of nationality. Instead, Re-Entry Permit can be used in addition to your Green Card and passport from the country of nationality.

A: If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may need a permission to return to the United States after traveling outside the country. This permission is granted through a travel document. Re-Entry Permit is given to foreign nationals who want to travel, but cannot get a passport from their country of nationality, and Lawful Permanent Residents should apply for travel document if he/she plans to travel abroad for 1 year or more. If the country of your destination requires you to obtain a visa, you can apply for the visa after receiving the Re-Entry Permit from USCIS. Re-Entry Permit is generally valid for two years from the date the Re-Entry permit was issued. You may re-apply for it once it expires.

A: A refugee travel document allows aliens who were admitted to the United States as refugees or who were granted asylum to return to the U.S. after travel abroad. The refugee or asylee should apply for a refugee travel document before leaving the U.S. If the country of your destination requires you to obtain a visa, you can apply for the visa after receiving the Refugee Travel Document from USCIS. Refugee Travel document is generally valid for 1 year from the date the Refugee Travel document was issued. You may re-apply for it once it expires.

A: Aliens who have pending applications for adjustment of status and who need to travel abroad, need to obtain an advance parole document in order to leave the U.S. without abandoning the pending application, and to return to the U.S. after traveling abroad. An advance parole document allows the person who travels to a U.S. port of entry to get a parole into the United States to await the adjudication of the pending application. Advance Parole is generally valid for 1 year from the date the Advance Parole was issued. You may re-apply for it once it expires.

A: Lawful Permanent Residents or conditional resident must file:

• You must fill I-131 Application form for a Travel Document.
• A legible copy of your Permanent Resident Card (both sides). If you do not have plastic Green Card, make a copy of the stamp (I - 551) in your passport and a first page of the passport (with picture and signature), and (if you have it) a copy of the temporary Green Card. In other words, make a copy of everything that is a proof of applicant`s legal status in the US. In any case, if you do not have a plastic Green Card, it is necessary to submit a copy of the first page of your passport.
• A copy of the social security card, driverâ`s license, or any kind of picture ID is desired but not required if you have a plastic Green Card. If you do not have one, all the above is required (especially picture ID).
• If you have previously been issued a Re-Entry Permit, enclose the original or copy of it. If you lost it, send a police report stating this fact.
• Money order payable to GTR Travel or credit card payment authorization form for $670, which includes USCIS fee (application and biometrics) and service fees for expediting your travel document, along with return shipping by DHL express (USCIS reserves the right to use regular mail in select cases). Due to time-sensitive nature of your case, personal checks are not accepted as a form of payment.
• Effective March 5, 2008, applicants for re-entry permits and refugee travel documents are required to provide biometrics (e.g., fingerprints and photographs) at USCIS Application Support Centers (ASC) for background and security checks and requirements for secure travel and entry documents containing biometric identifiers. Shortly after filing an I-131 form for a Refugee Travel Document or a Re-entry Permit, USCIS will mail the applicant his or her receipt and an ASC scheduling notice.
• After you provide biometrics fax your receipt with case number to our office at Fax # 1-404-827-0435.

A: An alie in the United States on refugee or asylee status applying for a refugee travel document must file:

• You must fill I-131 Application form for a Travel Document.
• Your I - 94 card (also known as White Card). If you hold asylum status, submit a copy of the letter (Asylum approval) you received from the USCIS (status granted).
• A copy of the social security card, driverâ`s license, or any kind of picture ID.
• If you have previously been issued a Refugee Travel Document, enclose the original or copy of it. If you lost it, send a police report stating this fact.
• Money order payable to GTR Travel or credit card payment authorization form for $670 , which includes USCIS fee (application and biometrics) and service fees for expediting your travel document, along with return shipping by DHL express (USCIS reserves the right to use regular mail in select cases). Due to time-sensitive nature of your case, personal checks are not accepted as a form of payment.
• Effective March 5, 2008, applicants for re-entry permits and refugee travel documents are required to provide biometrics (e.g., fingerprints and photographs) at USCIS Application Support Centers (ASC) for background and security checks and requirements for secure travel and entry documents containing biometric identifiers. Shortly after filing an I-131 form for a Refugee Travel Document or a Re-entry Permit, USCIS will mail the applicant his or her receipt and an ASC scheduling notice.
• After you provide biometrics fax your receipt with case number to our office at Fax # 1-404-827-0435.

A: An alien in the United States and applying for an Advance Parole document must file:

• You must fill I-131 Application form for a Travel Document.
• A copy of any document issued to the alien by USCIS or former INS showing present status in the United States.
• 2 standard size passport photos (required for Advance Parole only)
• A copy of the social security card, driverâ`s license, or any kind of picture ID.
• Money order payable to GTR Travel or credit card payment authorization form for $530, which includes USCIS fee (application and biometrics) and service fees for expediting your travel document, along with return shipping by DHL express (USCIS reserves the right to use regular mail in select cases). Due to time-sensitive nature of your case, personal checks are not accepted as a form of payment.

A: Regular Immigration service processing time is now from 375 to 405 days (as of August 4, 2003). We provide service to expedite your paperwork with average processing time by the Immigration Service (former INS, currently USCIS) of average of 12 weeks from the day the complete set of required documents is received from you.

A: An alien in the United States and applying to Expedite his/hers Travel Document with Travel Visa Express must file:

• A copy of the letter you received from INS with your case number on it.
• A copy of the social security card, driver license, or any kind of picture ID.
• Adequate proof of medical or business emergency.
• Money order payable to GTR Travel or credit card authorization form for $230. Due to time-sensitive nature of your case, personal checks are not accepted as a form of payment.

A: No, an application for Re-Entry Permit, Refugee Travel Document or Advance Parole must be filed by an applicant who is physically present in the United States at the time of application.

A: If you already have a travel document that is expired, you need to apply for a new one. Travel documents cannot be extended. Refer to application requirements above. In addition to the required paperwork, provide your actual expired travel document. If you lost it, provide with Police Report. New travel document cannot be issued by the USCIS until your existing one has expired. Discounts are available for returning applicants.

A: The alien must apply for the travel document prior leaving the U.S. Failure to do so may cause the alien to lose permission to re-enter the U.S., and may also lead to the denial of any other applications.

Send your paperwork to Travel Visa Express at: 309 Peters Street, Unit A, Atlanta, Georgia 30313

A: Regular USCIS processing may take from 6 to 12 months. We provide service to expedite your paperwork with average processing time by the USCIS of 6 to 12 weeks from the day the complete set of required documents is received from you.

A: You can check your case status on USCIS web site at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis or contact our office at 1-888-263-0023.

A: Yes, Travel Document may not be issued if:
You have already been issued a Travel Document and it is still valid, unless you return the prior document with new application, or you can provide with Police report that it was lost.
If your application is denied you will receive a letter from USCIS with explanation how to appeal. Generally, you may appeal within 33 days of receiving the denial letter from USCIS. Your appeal must be filed on USCIS Form I-290B.

A: Yes, an Advance Parole may not be issued if:
An Alien is In the United States illegally or in exclusion, deportation, removal, or rescission proceedings.
If an applicant is denied you will receive a letter from USCIS with explanation how to appeal. Generally, you may appeal within 33 days of receiving the denial letter from USCIS. Your appeal must be filed on USCIS Form I-290B.