This article was prepared with the assistance of ABIL, the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers, of which Loan Huynh, Fredrikson Immigration Department Chair, is a member.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on June 9, 2023, that certain individuals requesting parole based on urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit can file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, online.
The following individuals are eligible to file Form I-131 online:
- Individuals requesting parole based on urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit for an individual outside the United States (under application types 1.e. or 1.f. on the paper Form I-131) who are not seeking initial parole under a USCIS family reunification parole process (i.e., under the Cuban Family, Haitian Family or Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Programs); or
- Individuals already paroled inside the United States who are requesting a new period of parole, or re-parole (under application types 1.e. or 1.f. on the paper Form I-131), to remain in the United States.
USCIS said it will deny applications and not refund fees paid for those who file Forms I-131 online but are not eligible to do so.
