Certain Individuals Seeking Parole Now Have the Option to Submit Form I-131 Online

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that specific individuals seeking parole based on urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit can now electronically file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. 

Eligible individuals for online Form I-131 filing include: 

1. Those 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), excluding those seeking initial parole under USCIS family reunification parole processes (such as the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program, Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program, or Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program). 
2. Individuals already paroled within the United States who are seeking 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. 

To initiate online filing of Form I-131, individuals must first visit my.uscis.gov to create a USCIS online account. Creating an online account is free and provides various features, including case status updates, access to all notices, and the ability to upload additional evidence. 

Online filing of Form I-131 is not available for individuals seeking initial parole under USCIS family reunification parole processes. However, noncitizens previously paroled into the United States under these processes may apply for re-parole online to extend their stay in the country. 

It's important to note that online filing is not applicable to individuals within the United States submitting Form I-131 for a re-entry permit, refugee travel document, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) travel authorization document, Advance Parole Document (including those previously paroled into the United States seeking parole after departure), advance permission to travel for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) long-term residents, or those requesting a waiver of the filing fee for Form I-131. Such individuals must continue to file the paper Form I-131 by mail. 

However, individuals already paroled within the United States seeking a new parole period or re-parole to stay in the country as a parolee are eligible to file Form I-131 online. Additional information about the streamlined re-parole application process for Afghan parolees can be found on the Re-Parole Process for Certain Afghans webpage.