I-131 processing time
Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records
From USCIS data captured August 31, 2026
Filing fee: $630 paper · $580 online all fees →
Typical wait
24 – 29.5 months
Across 1 office(s); the ranges overlap too much to single out a faster one.
Offices
1
process this form
Track this I-131 wait
We'll email you only when this USCIS time changes.
Is your I-131 case delayed?
Compare your receipt date against your office's normal time.
Every office, fastest to slowest
| Office | Category | Current time | Case inquiry possible for receipts on/before |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | Re-entry permit or refugee travel document | 16 – 21 months | December 12, 2024 |
| Advance parole | 24 – 29.5 months | March 31, 2024 |
National context
Historical median by fiscal year
This is the national median for completed cases—not the current office-level 80% time shown above. The two measures are not directly comparable.
| Classification | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advance Parole Document2 | 7.7 | 7.3 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Parole in Place2 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 12.0 |
| Travel Document2 | 7.2 | 10.6 | 15.9 | 14.3 | 13.6 | 14.9 |
* FY2026 is partial: Oct. 1, 2025–May 31, 2026.
USCIS notes
- I-131 figures combine most travel-document requests across USCIS components; some parole requests are excluded.
Filing on your own?
It's normal and permitted. What the process involves, and the reasons people commonly hire an attorney →
The national I-131 line
Cases waiting
546,459
nationwide (FY2026 Q2)
The line is
growing
+28.0% since FY2025 Q4
What that usually means
More applications than decisions — pressure toward longer waits.
From USCIS's official quarterly report. See the full outlook and methodology →
Related forms
Other USCIS forms commonly tracked in the same process — listed for reference, not as guidance on what to file.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Form I-131 take in 2026?
Per USCIS data captured August 31, 2026, I-131 (Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records) takes 24 – 29.5 months across 1 office(s).
Which office is fastest for I-131?
The posted ranges overlap too much to single out a faster office — they all fall within 24 – 29.5 months.
What does this processing time mean?
USCIS calculates it as the time in which 80% of adjudicated cases were completed over the past six months. It is a reference point, not a promise about any individual case.
How often is this page updated?
Arrive Legal captures USCIS-published data weekly and archives every capture to show trends over time.
Official source: USCIS Case Processing Times. See our methodology.