USCIS Announces New Security-Enhanced Travel Documents

USCIS announced that as of October 24, 2019 they are beginning to produce a new travel document that will look similar to a US Passport for some lawful permanent residents (green card holder) and those with refugee or asylum status. The new travel document is a booklet with several security-enhanced features. The travel document can serve in place of:

• Form I-327, Permit to Reenter the United States: Lawful permanent residents use the Reentry Permit to return from temporary travel outside of the United States and, in some cases, may use a Reentry Permit for travel in place of a passport; and
• Form I-571, Refugee Travel Document: Those with refugee or asylum status use a Refugee Travel Document if they wish to temporarily travel outside of the United States and, in some cases, may use a Refugee Travel Document for travel in place of a passport.

Prior versions of travel documents remain valid until their expiration date. In other words, you will receive the new security-enhanced version of the document when you apply for a new travel document, but you do not need to apply for new travel document until your current document expires.