8 CFR § 223.1 - Purpose of documents.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t8/s223.1"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "8 CFR § 223.1 - Purpose of documents."
title_number: 8
title_name: "Aliens and Nationality"
section_number: "223.1"
section_name: "Purpose of documents."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS"
part_number: "223"
part_name: "REENTRY PERMITS, REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, AND ADVANCE PAROLE DOCUMENTS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "8 U.S.C. 1103, 1181, 1182, 1186a, 1203, 1225, 1226, 1227, 1251; Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, November 1, 1968, 19 U.S.T. 6223 (TIAS) 6577; 8 CFR part 2."
regulatory_source: "59 FR 1464, Jan. 11, 1994, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "223"
---


# 223.1 Purpose of documents.

(a) *Reentry permit.* A reentry permit allows a permanent resident to apply for admission to the United States upon return from abroad during the period of the permit's validity without the necessity of obtaining a returning resident visa.

(b) *Refugee travel document.* A refugee travel document is issued pursuant to this part and article 28 of the United Nations Convention of July 29, 1951, for the purpose of travel. Except as provided in § 223.3(d)(2)(i), a person who holds refugee status pursuant to section 207 of the Act, or asylum status pursuant to section 208 of the Act, must have a refugee travel document to return to the United States after temporary travel abroad unless he or she is in possession of a valid advance parole document.

[59 FR 1464, Jan. 11, 1994, as amended at 62 FR 10352, Mar. 6, 1997]