Can I apply for a Refugee Travel Document outside the U.S.?

Some background about this question:

Refugee Travel Document: A person with refugee or asylum status who wishes to travel outside the United States needs a Refugee Travel Document in order to return to the U.S. after temporary travel abroad.

According to USCIS1, if you are outside the U.S. and (i) have valid refugee or asylee status, or (ii) are a permanent resident as a direct result of your refugee or asylee status in the U.S,

  • You may be permitted to to file Form I-131 and apply for a Refugee Travel Document.
    • The USCIS Overseas District Director with jurisdiction over your location makes this decision
  • Applicants, outside the U.S., should only seek to file Form I-131 if they’re able to demonstrate that an emergent situation led them to depart the U.S. without first seeking the appropriate travel documents.

Notes

  1. Instructions for Form I-131, Application for Travel Document []

One more idea:

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  • my mother who had travaled out the us and has been out of the us for the past four years wishes to return my father is very sick and needs some to take care of him she had left the states with a travel doc which is expired what most she do

    Answer shared by agina ntundumula — September 14, 2012 @ 7:21 am

    Great answer. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0

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