Fill out I-131A (Application for Travel Document - Carrier Documentation) online
Form I-131A is used by lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) who are outside the United States without a valid reentry document to request carrier documentation (transportation letter) allowing them to board a carrier to return to the U.S. It is filed at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
How to fill out I-131A (Application for Travel Document - Carrier Documentation)
Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate
Locate the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate and schedule an appointment. Explain that you are a lawful permanent resident who needs carrier documentation to return to the United States.
Enter personal information
Provide your full legal name, date of birth, A-Number, Social Security number (if any), current address abroad, and details about your permanent resident status including date of admission and class of admission.
Explain your circumstances
Describe why you are outside the U.S. without a valid Green Card or reentry document. Explain whether your card was lost, stolen, expired, or damaged, and provide details about your trip and intended return date.
Submit at the Embassy or Consulate with evidence
Bring the completed form, the filing fee, a valid passport, any available evidence of your LPR status (expired Green Card, I-551 stamp, approval notice), and your travel itinerary. The consular officer will adjudicate the request.
About I-131A (Application for Travel Document - Carrier Documentation)
Who needs this form
Lawful permanent residents who are outside the United States and whose Green Card is expired, lost, stolen, or mutilated, and who need to board an airline or other carrier to return to the U.S. This form is an emergency measure for those who cannot obtain a boarding foil or other reentry document in time.
Where to submit
File in person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. This form cannot be filed by mail or online. Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to schedule an appointment and confirm local filing procedures.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-24
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to file from within the United States (this form is only for LPRs who are abroad)
- Not bringing sufficient evidence of lawful permanent resident status to the consular appointment
- Confusing I-131A with I-131 (I-131 is for advance parole or reentry permits filed from within the U.S.)
- Not having a valid passport to present alongside the carrier documentation request
Frequently asked questions
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How long does it take to get carrier documentation through I-131A?
Processing times vary by Embassy and Consulate. In emergency situations, the request may be processed the same day or within a few days. However, the consular officer must verify your lawful permanent resident status with USCIS, which can take additional time. Contact the Embassy or Consulate in advance to understand their processing times.
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