Using the Correct I-131 Edition: 01/20/25 for Travel Documents

(UNITED STATES) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is enforcing a newer Form I-131 for all travel document filings, with strict edition rules that affect applicants across parole, Advance Parole, Refugee Travel Documents, and Reentry Permits. The latest I-131 edition date is 01/20/25, and USCIS requires this version for any Application for Travel Documents that is postmarked on or after April 4, 2025. Applications sent with older editions are being rejected with no grace period.

The agency also introduced a content change in the current edition—collecting “sex at birth” with only “M” or “F” options—and it has proposed further revisions that could remove the section that lets some parole applicants request work permits on the same USCIS form.

Edition history and strict page rules

The I-131 form—formally titled “Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records”—has undergone three rounds of updates since 2024.

• USCIS replaced the 04/01/24 version with the 06/17/24 edition, effective October 11, 2024.
• It then moved to the 01/20/25 edition, effective April 4, 2025.

Officials require applicants to submit all pages from the same edition, with the edition date and page numbers visible at the bottom of each page. Mixing pages from different editions, or using an outdated USCIS form, is grounds for rejection.

Key content changes in 01/20/25 edition

• The form substitutes the term “sex” for “gender” and asks for biological sex at birth, limited to M or F.
• The current edition collects more biographical and travel history information than earlier versions.
• USCIS says the change aligns with federal policy updates under Executive Order 14168.
• Advocacy groups and some immigration lawyers call the removal of an “X” marker a major shift that may force nonbinary applicants to select an option that doesn’t reflect their identity.
• Others argue the agency is following clear federal guidance.

VisaVerge.com reports that practitioners are adjusting intakes and advising clients to be ready with consistent identity documents to avoid delays.

What causes rejections and how firms are responding

Incomplete forms, missing signatures, or mismatched edition pages can lead to quick rejections. According to VisaVerge.com, law firms are:

• Increasing quality-control checks,
• Using internal worksheets to match each data point on the new edition,
• Paying special attention for families filing together.

Policy changes that compound the edition update

Two operational shifts this summer compound the edition change.

1. Filing fees
   • New filing fees took effect on July 22, 2025.
   • Applicants must include the updated amount or USCIS will reject the package.
   • Families mailing several applications at once should calculate fees carefully to avoid bounced filings.

1. Filing addresses
   • Filing addresses for certain categories shifted in August 2025, with a 30-day grace period ending September 18, 2025.
   • I-131 filings tied to VAWA, T visas, and U visas must now go to new lockbox locations.
   • Packages sent to old addresses after the grace period are rejected rather than forwarded.

Additional proposed change:
– On July 23, 2025, USCIS issued a proposal to remove Part 9, the section that allows some parole applicants to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) at the same time they ask for re-parole.
– The public comment window runs until September 22, 2025. If finalized, parole applicants would likely need to file a stand-alone work authorization request instead of pairing it with Form I-131.

Important: The proposed removal of Part 9 is not in effect yet. Public comments are open through September 22, 2025.

Humanitarian-parole urgency and timing

The latest rules are especially important for humanitarian parolees (for example, Ukrainians and Afghans) who need to keep parole current.

• USCIS recommends applying for re-parole about six months before the current term ends.
• Missing these timelines can cause breaks in authorized stay and work eligibility, affecting housing, schooling, and employment.
• Example: An Afghan parolee with a parole end date in March 2026 should consider filing around September 2025 to minimize disruption.

Immediate filing checklist — what applicants must do now

Anyone preparing to file Form I-131 must check the I-131 edition date and fee schedule on the official USCIS page before assembling their packet.

Follow these steps:

1. Verify the edition at the bottom of each page. It must read 01/20/25 for packages postmarked April 4, 2025 or later.
2. Ensure all pages come from the same edition. Do not mix editions.
3. Check the current fee effective July 22, 2025, and include the correct payment form and amount.
4. Confirm the correct filing address, especially for VAWA, T, or U visa–related filings, given the August 2025 address changes and the September 18 cutoff.
5. Review the identity section closely. The current form asks for sex at birth and allows only “M” or “F.”
6. If seeking re-parole, plan to file about six months before the end date to avoid gaps.
7. Track the proposed removal of Part 9 (EAD request) after the September 22, 2025 comment deadline; if finalized, be ready to submit a separate work authorization form.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Attorneys report the most frequent mistakes are:

• Mailing the wrong edition
• Underpaying fees
• Sending to old addresses
• Not including all supporting evidence for the travel document sought

Specific example: A conditional resident needing Advance Parole to visit an ill parent abroad must use the correct I-131 instructions, while a naturalized U.S. citizen applying for a mother’s Refugee Travel Document may be using the wrong form entirely.

Employer and community guidance

• Employers (HR managers) supporting staff on parole or DACA Advance Parole trips must double-check the edition date and plan around fee changes to prevent travel delays.
• Community groups urge applicants to create simple checklists and to copy every page of submissions.
• If USCIS rejects a filing for using the wrong edition, the returned packet and cover sheet often show exactly what went wrong.

Practical printing tips advocated by legal service providers:

• Download a fresh copy of Form I-131 the same day you plan to file.
• Read the PDF footer to confirm the 01/20/25 edition.
• Print single-sided, keep page order, and sign in black ink where requested.
• Include a cover letter listing the form edition, the fee amount enclosed, and the lockbox address used.
• If mailing, use trackable delivery.

Identity-field concerns and legal context

There is intense attention on the identity fields. Applicants whose IDs or state documents include an “X” marker should be prepared for the federal form’s limits.

• Some lawyers suggest including a brief note explaining any mismatch between the form and a state ID, though USCIS has not issued a blanket instruction to do so.
• Community advocates expect legal and policy challenges, but for now USCIS is enforcing the current edition as written.

Where to get the official form and updates

Applicants can access the current form, detailed instructions, filing addresses, and fee guidance on the official USCIS Form I-131 page: https://www.uscis.gov/i-131

That page is the best single source to confirm the edition, download the correct PDF, or start an eligible online filing. It’s also where USCIS posts notice of any future updates, including whether it will finalize the proposal to remove the EAD request section.

Final takeaways and risk-reduction steps

While the series of changes can be tiring, the practical path is clear:

• Use the 01/20/25 edition.
• Include the post–July 22, 2025 fee.
• Send to the updated address (if applicable).
• Keep copies of everything.

To reduce risk, follow these suggestions:

• Download a fresh copy of Form I-131 the day you file.
• Confirm the edition in the footer.
• Print single-sided, maintain page order, and sign in black ink.
• Include a cover letter listing edition and fee.
• Use trackable mailing if filing by post.

With those steps, most applicants can avoid avoidable rejections and keep essential trips and legal status plans on track.