Regular readers may be aware that Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) should be submitted by certain immigrants to obtain necessary documents to be permitted to board a flight to the United States without the carrier being penalised  For example, a child born to a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) mother during her temporary visit abroad is eligible to apply for travel document / baby transportation letter, provided the child accompanies the LPR parent on his/her first trip back to U.S. following the child birth. Similarly, if a LPR has lost or damaged his/her permanent resident card on a temporary visit abroad (less than a year), s/he will require a travel document to return to the U.S. Examples listed here are not exhaustive.

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) had published a new edition of Form-131A on February 13, 2019 and we recommend eligible immigrant visa applicants to use this latest version. It is always important to use the latest edition of form to avoid delay and possibly having to re-do the forms at the interview.