Lost/Stolen LPR Cards

Boarding Foil Applications

Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) are required to present a valid Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (also known as a “green card”) when seeking admission into the United States.

In cases in which the LPR is not in possession of a valid Form I-551, the U.S. Consular Sections overseas can issue “boarding foils” to qualified Lawful Permanent Residents applying to replace lost/stolen cards overseas. You must apply for a boarding foil within (12) months after departing the United States.

Additionally, please note that the validity of a boarding foil is only valid for thirty (30) days from the date of issuance.

How to apply for a bording foil?

In order to apply for a boarding foil, you require an appointment.  See the steps below to schedule an appointment:

STEP 1. Gather he following documents:

  1. Valid passport
  2. Fill out  the Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document. This form can be obtained at https://www.uscis.gov/i-131a
  3. Pay the $575 I-131A fee online and print the receipt. The information for the payment is available at https://www.uscis.gov/i-131a  Please note that this fee is nonrefundable.
  4. Photocopy of your LPR card (if available) or proof of you legal permanent resident status such as copy of notices received from USCIS, stamps in the passport, etc.
  5. Alien Registration number (A number), if known.
  6. Other identifiable documents, for example: driver’s license, State I.D., etc.
  7. General Report from the Police.
  8. Proof of your arrival in Costa Rica (ticket, boarding pass, luggage tags, etc.).
  9. For bearers of conditional  legal permanent resident cards that are expired  (CR1, CR2, CR6, CF1, among  others), please provide the proof that you filed the I-751, Petition to Remove Condition of Residence, application with USCIS.
  10. Copy of the passport biographic information, as well as the entry stamps to CR and last entry stamp to the US.

STEP 2. Scan all the documents listed above and e-mail them to: boardingfoilssnj@state.gov

STEP 3. Once the documents have been received by the Consular Section, you will receive an e-mail with the information on your appointment date.