Application for Carrier Documentation

Form I-131A has two uses: 1) A lawful permanent resident, who is traveling overseas and is not in possession of a valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card or other evidence of lawful permanent resident status, may use this form to apply for Carrier Documentation within one year of his or her last departure from the United States; 2) a non-immigrant who is traveling overseas on an Advance Parole Document (Form I-512 or I-512L) or Employment Authorization Document with travel endorsement (Form I-766), may use this form to apply for Carrier Documentation where his or her document has been lost, stolen, or damaged overseas and that document has not expired. In both of the above circumstances, the applicant must submit the application in person at a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. The decision on Form I-131A is entirely discretionary and may not be appealed. Furthermore, DHS may revoke or terminate Carrier Documentation at any time. If the Form I-131A is approved, DOS will issue a boarding foil, generally valid for 30 days, which will allow the individual to board a vessel or aircraft, travel to the United States, and present him or herself at a U.S. port-of-entry. Carrier Documentation is not a guarantee of admission or other form of entry into the United States, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will carry out all required inspection procedures upon the alien’s arrival at a U.S. port of entry.

The latest form for Application for Carrier Documentation expires 2027-03-31 and can be found here.

Application for Carrier Documentation

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Homeland Security - Border and Transportation Security

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