How can I apply for a Refugee travel document?
If you are a refugee in Ethiopia and wish to travel outside of the country, you can request a Convention Travel Document (CTD).
To request a CTD, you can submit a letter to UNHCR in your location including:
- the reasons for travel and relevant supporting documentation and
- a copy of your Refugee ID Card or Proof of Registration, or a valid pass permit from RRS.
If your request is approved, UNHCR will conduct a verification process and then personalize the CTD booklet for you.
Once personalized and issued, the CTD booklet becomes a travel document issued and owned by the issuing State.
Please note that:
- CTDs are issued only for refugees and stateless persons in the country of asylum.
- The CTD is usually valid for two years due to administrative control by the Immigration and Nationality Service (INVEA).
UNHCR and RRS are working together to transition from CTDs to machine-readable CTDs.
Because there are very few CTD available, pending the commencement of issuance of Machine Readable CTD (MRCTD), CTDs will only be issued for confirmed urgent travel e.g. medical or to facilitate a complementary pathway e.g. travel for university education where this has been confirmed by the university.
