---
kind: "section"
citation: "8 C.F.R. § 223.1"
title: "8"
number: "223.1"
heading: "Purpose of documents."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/8/223.1"
---

# §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)](/cfr/8/223.3.md?p=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.

## Notes

### Amendments

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

### Authority

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.

### Source

Source: 59 FR 1464, Jan. 11, 1994, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

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