Leaving US Too Long Green Card Risk: USCIS Revises Travel Document Form I-131 in 2026

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a revision to its currently approved information collection for Form I-131, the Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records. The notice was published in the Federal Register on October 23, 2026, and opens a 60-day public comment period ending December 22, 2026. Form I-131 is a critical document for many immigration applicants, including EB-3 petitioners with pending adjustment of status applications who require Advance Parole to travel outside the United States without abandoning their green card applications. It is also used by lawful permanent residents to obtain Reentry Permits — essential for those planning extended stays abroad. For EB-3 applicants in the adjustment of status stage, maintaining valid travel authorization is vital. Traveling without Advance Parole while an I-485 is pending can result in the application being considered abandoned. Similarly, green card holders who remain outside the U.S. for extended periods without a Reentry Permit risk being deemed to have abandoned their permanent residency. The revision to Form I-131 may affect the application process, required documentation, or filing instructions. Applicants and legal representatives are encouraged to review the full Federal Register notice and submit comments before the December 22, 2026 deadline if they wish to provide input on the proposed changes. EB-3 applicants and green card holders should monitor USCIS announcements for the finalized form version and ensure they are using the correct, current edition when filing travel document requests.