Skip to main content

U.S. REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT - PERTINENT INFORMATION TO KNOW

Entry and Exit Stamp of a Foreign Country in a U.S. Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)

A person with a refugee or asylum status who wishes to travel outside the United States needs a Refugee Travel Document in order to return to the United States. In most cases, a refugee or asylee may use the Refugee Travel Document for travel in place of a passport. The Refugee Travel Document is similar in appearance to a U.S. Passport.*** 



HOW DO I APPLY FOR A REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT?

To apply for a Refugee Travel Document, file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. Filing instructions and forms are available on United States Immigration website at www.uscis.gov. Follow the instructions on the form carefully. 


HOW LONG IS A REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT VALID?

A Refugee Travel Document is valid for up to 1 year. 


CAN I TRAVEL BACK TO THE COUNTRY WHERE I EXPERIENCED PAST PERSECUTION OR CLAIM A FEAR OF FUTURE PERSECUTION?

Yes. However, if you have been granted asylum, you should be aware that your grant of asylum may be terminated if, among other things, it is determined that you voluntarily availed yourself of the protection of your country of nationality, you have acquired a new nationality, or you are no longer eligible for asylum due to a fundamental change in circumstances. 

Similarly, your asylum status may be terminated if there was fraud in your application such as you were not eligible for asylum. Therefore, if you travel suggests that you may have re-availed yourself of the protection of your country, you should be prepared to explain how you were able to return to the country from which you fled. 


If you don't have Internet access at home or work, try your local library, if not there are Agencies preferably non-profit that will be able to assist you will with the Application for a Travel Document. 




Complied By: Tennyson Watson-Joyner

Tennyson Watson-Joyner is a foreign born U.S. Legal Asylee, read for a Bachelors of Science Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management with a major in Travel, Tourism and Entertainment Management.I successfully navigated the U.S. immigration system. 



The information contained in "The United States Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)Asylee Travel Guide" is provided for informational purposes only. Opinions expressed are the authors alone, for International Travel with a U.S. Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571) , use links attached for visa free destinations as listed by the consulate of each country that offers the same to asylees and permanent residence whose was granted the same as a result of asylum. If you have a criminal record, Speak to an attorney-at-law prior to your departure. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HOW TO APPLY FOR A U.S. REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT (FORM I-571)? (UNITED STATES)

APPLYING FOR A REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT (UNITED STATES)  If you want to travel internationally, You will need a passport. A refugee travel document is basically the equivalent of a passport for asylee who need to travel outside of the United States temporarily.   If you are a U.S. asylee or obtained a Lawful Permanent Residence as a result of having been an asylee then you must apply for a refugee travel document before you leave the United States.  ALWAYS BE REMINDED: YOU SHOULD NEVER TRAVEL TO THE COUNTRY FROM WHICH YOU CLAIMED PERSECUTION IN YOUR ASYLUM.   HOW TO FILE FORM I-131 & SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS  In order to apply for a U.S. Refugee Travel Document, You must file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Go to Form I-131 page of www.uscis.gov to download the most recent form for free.  PICTURED: FORM I-131, APPLICATION FOR A U.S REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT.  You mus...

ASYLEES AND THE RIGHT TO WORK!

If you are an ASYLEE (ASYLUM GRANTED) , you do NOT   require an EAD, Employment Authorization Document to work in the United States.  Let's discuss the law, In the HANDBOOK FOR EMPLOYERS M-274 on USCIS, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website SECTION 6.3 REFUGEES AND ASYLEES.  Refugees and asylees are AUTHORIZED   to work indefinitely because of their immigration status does not expire.  After being granted ASYLUM in the United States, The Department of Homeland Security issues a FORM I-94, ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE RECORD , to asylees. FORM I-94 will contain a stamp or natation such as "ASYLUM GRANTED INDEFINITELY" or the appropriate provision of the law (8 CFR 274.a.12(a)(5) or INA 208) to show their employment authorization. An ASYLEE can also present an electronic FORM I-94 with an admission "AY".  FORM I-94 is an acceptable LIST C document on the FORM I-9 and does not EXPIRE . Asylees who choose to present this document must also pre...

USCIS BEGINS PRODUCING NEW SECURITY - ENHANCED U.S. REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT (FORM I-571)

U.S. REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT WITH NEW ENHANCED SECURITY FEATURES To prevent secure document tampering, counterfeiting, and fraud, The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin producing a new security-enhanced U.S. Refugee Travel Document effective October 24, 2019. The Refugee Travel Document booklet will look similar to the U.S. passport and serves dual purposes including that of the U.S. Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571).  U.S. Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571): Those with refugee or asylum status use a Refuge Travel Document if they wish to temporarily travel outside of the United States and, in some cases may use a Refugee Travel Document in place of a passport.  The new Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571) will include a variety of secure features:  - Redesigned booklet cover  - Four montages containing three images, each of notable U.S. architecture, used throughout the booklet.  - A com...