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Duane & Marcia Binkley
ABC-IM and CBF Missionaries
Duane & Marcia Binkley

   Form I-131 Tips


Tips about getting a USCIS Form I-131 for Karen Refugee Travelers

(by Duane Binkley)

There has been some interest in what it would take for Thailand refugees now living in the U.S. to be able to go for a visit back to the refugee camps in Thailand, so I’ve done a little homework to see what would be involved.  It seems that the first requirement is attain permanent U.S. residence status by getting a “Green Card”.  Then the Karen refugee traveler must apply for a travel document/re-entry permit (USCIS Form I-131).  Here are links to both the Form I-131 instructions and the actual form:

Instructions for Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.  http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-131instr.pdf  It seems the most relevant part is on page 2 and 3.   Also, the fees to apply are shown on page 8.  Fees total $385, so it's expensive!

Here is a link to print the "I-131 Application for Travel Document":  http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-131.pdf.

 
 
(Last updated 13 November 2008)