I-131 Filing Fee 2026: Advance Parole Cost and When You Need It

I-131 filing fee in 2026 — the short answer

Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) covers several distinct document types. The most common for green-card applicants is Advance Parole, which lets you travel abroad while an I-485 (Adjustment of Status) is pending. The 2026 filing fee for each type is set by the USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055).

I-131 fee table for 2026

Every figure below is paid directly to USCIS under the April 2024 fee rule, which remains in effect through 2026. Confirm the live amount at uscis.gov/i-131 before filing — USCIS can revise fees.

The $630 Advance Parole fee applies whether you file the I-131 at the same time as the I-485 (concurrently) or file it later while the I-485 is still pending. Filing concurrently in the same package is more efficient — USCIS processes the I-131 alongside the I-485 receipt — but the cost is the same either way.

When do you actually need Advance Parole?

You need Advance Parole if your I-485 is pending and you plan to travel outside the United States. Leaving the country while an I-485 is pending without a valid Advance Parole document — or a valid H-1B, L-1, or other dual-intent visa — is treated as abandonment of the I-485. USCIS will close the case without a refund of the I-485 fee.

You do NOT need Advance Parole if you have a valid H-1B or L-1 visa and your employer authorizes the travel. Holders of those visas can reenter the U.S. on their visa during a pending I-485 without Advance Parole — but the H-1B or L-1 must be valid at the time of reentry. When in doubt, file the I-131 for $630 — the cost of losing a $1,440 I-485 is far higher.

How the $630 fits into the total green card cost

Most marriage-based green card applicants file I-131 as part of the concurrent bundle: I-130 ($625 online / $675 paper) + I-485 ($1,440) + I-765 EAD ($260) + I-131 ($630). That concurrent package totals $2,955 online or $3,005 paper in USCIS fees — before the medical exam ($200–$500 civil surgeon fee).

The USCIS Filing Fee Calculator lets you toggle each form and see the running total. The I-131 line item is pre-checked for adjustment-of-status applicants who plan to travel.

Did the I-131 fee change? The April 2024 rule

Yes. The Advance Parole fee rose from $575 to $630 under the USCIS final fee rule that took effect April 1, 2024. Before that rule, the I-131 filed with an I-485 cost $575. The 2024 rule also eliminated the longstanding policy of including the EAD and Advance Parole for free with a pending I-485 — applicants who had filed before April 2024 and had EAD/AP pending were often confused by the change.

The fee schedule published in Form G-1055 is the controlling authority. The current G-1055 lists Advance Parole at $630 and that amount remains in force through 2026.

What if I already have Advance Parole but it expired?

If your Advance Parole has expired but your I-485 is still pending, you need to file a new I-131 and pay the $630 fee again. USCIS does not renew Advance Parole — each filing is a new application. Processing takes roughly 3–6 months without expediting, so file early if you have travel plans.

If you used Advance Parole to return to the U.S. and your I-485 was not abandoned, the return trip itself 'paroled you in' and does not change the I-485 status. You can file another I-131 while the I-485 remains pending.

Official sources

This guide is based on official U.S. government sources. Forms, fees, and processing details change — always confirm current requirements directly:

• USCIS — Form I-131, Application for Travel DocumentOfficial I-131 form and instructions for Advance Parole and other travel documents, commonly filed concurrently with a pending I-485.
• USCIS — Fee Schedule (Form G-1055)Official, authoritative USCIS fee schedule. Always cite this for current filing fees — fee amounts change and any number in body copy can go stale.

Frequently asked questions

What is the I-131 filing fee in 2026?

$630 for Advance Parole (the travel document for I-485 applicants). $575 for a re-entry permit. $165 for a refugee travel document. All fees are set by the April 2024 USCIS fee rule (Form G-1055) and remain in force through 2026. Confirm at [uscis.gov/i-131](https://www.uscis.gov/i-131) before filing.

Do I have to file I-131 at the same time as the I-485?

No — you can file the I-131 later while the I-485 is still pending. The $630 fee is the same either way. Filing concurrently is more efficient because USCIS issues one receipt for the package, but it is not required. Do not travel outside the U.S. until the Advance Parole is in hand.

What happens if I travel without Advance Parole while my I-485 is pending?

USCIS treats the departure as abandonment of the I-485 and closes the case — without refunding the $1,440 I-485 fee. The exception: holders of a valid H-1B or L-1 visa can travel on that visa without Advance Parole. All other pending I-485 applicants should have Advance Parole in hand before any international travel.

Is the I-131 fee refundable?

No. USCIS filing fees are generally non-refundable once the form is accepted, even if the application is denied, withdrawn, or the I-485 is later abandoned. The $630 Advance Parole fee is not returned if the I-131 is denied.

Can I get a fee waiver for the I-131?

Yes — Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) can be filed with the I-131. USCIS grants waivers based on receipt of a means-tested public benefit, household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or documented financial hardship. Approval is not guaranteed and the waiver must be approved before USCIS will accept the I-131 without payment.