Refugee travel document application thread

[bigbonustoday]

Hi there,

I was granted asylum in the Newark office a month ago (!!!!!) and applied for a refugee travel document (RTD) the following Monday. I've been anxiously waiting ever since because I want to visit my friends in Canada and the UK (neither is my home country).

I know it hasn't been that long yet and the official processing time is 3 months. But would you guys mind sharing your RTD application timeline below? Thanks so much!!

For those who applied at the Newark office, pls feel free to post questions or PM me. I'd be happy to help

 

[Lucy Furrer]

You may apply for expedite when you apply for I-131.
If not, the usual processing time is about 3 months.

 

[Riopadrao]

@bigbonustoday: how long did it take between filing your I-589 and your interview? When did you file your application?

 

[Lucy Furrer]

Hard to say. Some are lucky, only several months. But unlucky ones can takes years.

 

[Riopadrao]

Hard to say. Some are lucky, only several months. But unlucky ones can takes years.

Does it depend on the clarity of a case? Has the backlog gotten worse since last summer because of the surge of unaccompanied minors at the Southern border?