Refugees often do not have a national passport or cannot safely use their national passport for a variety of reasons related to their flight or protection situation. When a passport is not available or safe to use, a refugee travel document can provide a solution.
For more general information on refugee travel documents and UNHCR’s advocacy work in this area, check out https://help.unhcr.org/faq/how-can-we-help-you/travel-documents/
What types of travel documents are provided in Canada for refugees?
In Canada, there are two types of travel documents the Government can issue to non-Canadians:
- refugee travel document
- certificate of identity
Who can apply for a refugee travel document?
Protected persons in Canada, including Convention refugees and persons in need of protection are eligible to apply for a Refugee Travel Document.
Certificate of identity can be issued to permanent residents of Canada who either
- arenot protected persons and are stateless or
- can’t obtain a passport from their country or a travel document from any other source.
The application form is the same for both types of travel documents and the Government of Canada decides which type of travel document to issue.
How can I apply for a refugee travel document?
To apply for a refugee travel document in Canada, you need to contact Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) which is the responsible entity for issuing travel documents for refugees.
To be able to apply for a refugee travel document, one needs to be in Canada and needs to submit the application by mail or in person. In addition to the travel document application form, there are certain documents that refugees are expected to submit such as information about their status in Canada, identity documents, any valid passports or travel documents and photos. Similarly to the procedures for Canadian national passports, refugees also need to find a guarantor and two references who will sign the application and back of the photos. The references and guarantor must know the refugee for at least six months.
More information on the application process including on eligibility, required documentation, and stages of the process to apply for a refugee travel document is available on IRCC website: Apply for a travel document for non-Canadians: About the process – Canada.ca.
Please note that all documents must be in either English or French. If a document is in another language, it is mandatory to provide an official translation.
How long does the application process take? How long is a travel document valid for?
The duration of the application process varies, depending on whether the application has all supporting documents, whether it was properly completed or not and sometimes may take longer time when IRCC conducts routine verifications and security checks. IRCC posts their service standards here : Check passport and travel document service standards – Canada.ca
In Canada the validity of Refugee Travel Documents is decided by the issuing office (IRCC).
Is the refugee travel document free of charge?
In Canada, refugees applying for a Refugee Travel Document need to pay a fee. More information on the fees and modalities of payment are available here Canadian travel documents for non‑Canadians in Canada – Canada.ca
Can UNHCR help me to apply for a refugee travel document?
Refugee Travel Documents are official documents issued by Canada and the process is managed by the government authorities. UNHCR cannot provide updates regarding the status of your application or influence its outcome.
UNHCR can help you understand the process. You can contact us at [email protected]
What can I use my refugee travel document for?
You can use your Refugee Travel Document (RTD) to travel outside of Canada in a regulated manner, while protecting you from being returned to your country of origin against your will. An RTD is used like a passport and when needed, a visa or border stamp can be input into the pages of your RTD.
With an RTD, you can also more easily apply for work and study opportunities internationally. An RTD can facilitate a visit to family members in a different country or help you to attend regional/global trainings or conferences.
In some cases, you can use your RTD also as an identity document to access basic services like banking, financial and Internet services.
If I have a refugee travel document, do I need to get a visa to travel to other countries?
Even if you have a Refugee Travel Document, you still need to follow the visa and travel document requirements of each country, just like national passports.
Before booking your travel, make sure to check the applicable legislation in your destination and transit countries to confirm if you need to apply for a visa and to ensure that they accept the use of your RTD. Some countries may also require a specific number of blank pages or a specific validity period remaining in your RTD for acceptance.
Additionally, refugees may face different requirements than national passport holders when applying for visas though it may not be well documented. Some countries may also require exit and/or re-entry permits for refugees. Any costs for visas, transit visas, exit or re-entry permits should be considered.
It is important to check requirements carefully to avoid any issues. When in doubt, enquire with the relevant authorities for clarification.
What to do if I face issues in obtaining or using a refugee travel document?
UNHCR has limited capacity to provide individual support. If you are unable to resolve an issue or need additional assistance, you can reach out to UNHCR Canada for guidance at [email protected]
What about refugees outside of Canada seeking to obtain a travel document to come to Canada through resettlement or complementary pathways?
Canada only issues refugee travel documents to refugees or protected persons inside Canada and not to refugees in host countries. To facilitate travel for a refugee coming to Canada through resettlement or a complementary pathway who is unable to obtain a travel document in the country in which they reside, a Canadian visa officer may issue a Single Journey Travel Document which is to be used solely for the purpose of the refugee’s one time travel to Canada.