Travel document: how long does it take?
Form I-131 — Application for Travel Document
From USCIS data captured August 31, 2026
USCIS's currently posted range
24 – 29.5 months
Depending on office and category (USCIS data captured August 31, 2026). 80% of cases complete within the posted time.
By office, fastest to slowest
| Office | Current time |
|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 24 – 29.5 months |
Each office has its own page with the historical trend and every I-131 category.
Waiting on your I-131?
We check USCIS's data every week — get an email when this time changes.
Is your case delayed?
Compare your receipt date against your office's normal time, and see what each status message means.
The essentials, in data
Form I-131 is the application for a travel document. It covers several different documents: advance parole (for people with a pending application such as an I-485), a re-entry permit (for permanent residents planning a long absence), and a refugee travel document. The category determines both eligibility and the posted processing time.
Because one form covers several document types, USCIS posts times by category. The range below reflects the categories USCIS publishes for each office as of the capture date shown.
The posted figure is the time within which USCIS completed 80% of cases over the prior six months — a reference point, not a guarantee for an individual case.
Frequently asked questions
How long does travel document take in 2026?
Per USCIS data captured August 31, 2026, Form I-131 takes 24 – 29.5 months depending on office and category. See the per-office table on this page.
What is Form I-131?
Form I-131 is the application for a travel document. It covers several different documents: advance parole (for people with a pending application such as an I-485), a re-entry permit (for permanent residents planning a long absence), and a refugee travel document. The category determines both eligibility and the posted processing time.
How do I check my case status?
With your receipt number on USCIS's official Case Status Online page. Our decoder explains what each message means, and the delay checker compares your receipt date against your office's normal time.
How often is this page updated?
Arrive Legal captures USCIS-published data weekly and archives every capture; the exact capture date is shown above.
Official source: USCIS Case Processing Times · Form I-131 at uscis.gov. See our methodology.