Application for Carrier Documentation

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status

No forms / supporting documents in this ICR. Check IC Document Collections.

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
221129	Biometrics Processing	Modified
221124	Application for Carrier Documentation Form	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1615-0135	ICR Reference No: 202508-1615-053
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202401-1615-046
Agency/Subagency: DHS/USCIS	Agency Tracking No: I-131A
Title: Application for Carrier Documentation
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 11/10/2025

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	03/31/2027
Responses	10,200	10,200
Time Burden (Hours)	10,236	10,236
Cost Burden (Dollars)	919,275	919,275

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Abstract: Form I-131A has two uses: 1) A lawful permanent resident, who is traveling overseas and is not in possession of a valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card or other evidence of lawful permanent resident status, may use this form to apply for Carrier Documentation within one year of his or her last departure from the United States; 2) a non-immigrant who is traveling overseas on an Advance Parole Document (Form I-512 or I-512L) or Employment Authorization Document with travel endorsement (Form I-766), may use this form to apply for Carrier Documentation where his or her document has been lost, stolen, or damaged overseas and that document has not expired. In both of the above circumstances, the applicant must submit the application in person at a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. The decision on Form I-131A is entirely discretionary and may not be appealed. Furthermore, DHS may revoke or terminate Carrier Documentation at any time. If the Form I-131A is approved, DOS will issue a boarding foil, generally valid for 30 days, which will allow the individual to board a vessel or aircraft, travel to the United States, and present him or herself at a U.S. port-of-entry. Carrier Documentation is not a guarantee of admission or other form of entry into the United States, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will carry out all required inspection procedures upon the alien’s arrival at a U.S. port of entry.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 8 USC 1158 Name of Law: U.S. Code
   US Code: 8 USC 1103 Name of Law: U.S. Code
   US Code: 8 USC 1182 Name of Law: U.S. Code
   US Code: 8 USC 1203 Name of Law: U.S. Code
   US Code: 8 USC 1204 Name of Law: U.S. Code
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
1615-AC99	Proposed rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Application for Carrier Documentation	I-131A	Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation)
Biometrics Processing

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	10,200	10,200	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	10,236	10,236	0	0	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	919,275	919,275	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement:

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $2,932,500

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 11/10/2025

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