Similar to passports but with protection safeguards considered, Convention Travel Documents facilitate the use of visas and are internationally recognized identity documents which can connect refugees to opportunities and complementary pathways.
Both the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1954 Statelessness Convention define travel documents as a distinct right for refugees and stateless persons to travel internationally.
In practice, in some countries restrictions often apply or exit fees and other procedures are in place that might limit refugees’ and stateless persons’ ability to travel.
Refugees often do not have a national passport or cannot safely use their national passport for a variety of reasons related to their protection situation. Stateless people who are not recognized as a national to any country cannot apply for a passport.
Given these unique issues, a travel document for a refugee or stateless person can provide a solution.
A Convention Travel Document (or CTD) should be available to refugees or stateless persons when they lawfully reside in a country that has signed the 1951 Refugee Convention and/or 1954 Statelessness Convention.
To adhere to international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a CTD must now be machine readable. Manual (or handwritten) CTDs are being phased out.
Other travel documents that can be used in specific circumstances, like for an asylum seeker or when a CTD is not available include:
UNHCR is working with ICAO, States, and other actors to increase issuance and improve access to and acceptance of travel documents for refugees and stateless persons.
Check theUNHCR Help website of the country where you are to find out which documents are available to you.
It can vary. Check to see if there is information available on the UNHCR Help website of the country where you are. Otherwise, you can contact the UNHCR office in that country for more information.
Convention Travel Documents are provided by the government where a refugee is residing. You can also check for further information with the relevant ministry or government authorities where you reside.
A refugee or stateless person can use a Convention Travel Document (CTD) to travel outside of their hosting country in a regulated manner while protecting them from being forcibly returned to their country of origin. A CTD is used like a passport and, when needed, a visa or border stamp can be input into the pages of a CTD.
With a CTD, you can also more easily apply for work and study opportunities internationally. A CTD can help you visit family members in a different country or attend regional or global trainings/conferences.
In some cases, you can use your CTD also as an identity document to access basic services like banking, financial and Internet services.
Even if you have a Convention Travel Document, you still need to follow the visa and travel document requirements of each country, just like national passports.
Before booking your travel, 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 CTD. Some countries may also require a specific number of blank pages or a specific validity period remaining in your CTD for acceptance.
Additionally, refugees and stateless people 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.
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 for guidance. See the specific UNHCR Help website of the country where you are residing for more information.
For more general information on refugee travel documents and UNHCR’s advocacy work in this area, check out UNHCR’s website.
