Refugee Travel Document
Refugee Travel Document UK: Applying for a 1951 Convention Travel Document
If you have been granted refugee status in the UK and you need to travel abroad, you are in the right place. A Refugee Travel Document, also known as a 1951 Convention Travel Document, is the document normally used by recognised refugees who cannot safely use a passport from the country they fled.
This page explains who can apply, what the Home Office checks, what evidence may be needed, how long the document may be valid for, what can go wrong, and what to do if your application is refused. It is written for people who need clear, practical guidance before making a Refugee Travel Document application in the UK.
A Refugee Travel Document is not a British passport. It does not make you British. It does not automatically give you visa-free entry to every country. It is a Home Office travel document that may allow you to leave the UK and return while you continue to hold valid UK immigration status.
You can read the official GOV.UK guidance here: apply for a refugee travel document.
What is a Refugee Travel Document?
A Refugee Travel Document is a travel document issued by the Home Office to a person who has refugee status in the UK, or to a person who originally came to the UK on a family reunion visa to join someone with refugee status.
It is often called a:
- Refugee Travel Document;
- 1951 Convention Travel Document;
- Convention Travel Document; or
- Geneva Convention travel document.
The purpose of the document is to provide an alternative to a national passport where using or obtaining a passport from your country of nationality would be unsafe or inappropriate because of your refugee status.
Who can apply for a Refugee Travel Document in the UK?
You can usually apply for a Refugee Travel Document if one of the following applies:
- you have refugee status in the UK; or
- you originally came to the UK on a family reunion visa to join a person who has refugee status.
You must be in the UK when you apply. You should also have an eVisa and a UKVI account before applying. GOV.UK states that an application may be refused if you do not have an eVisa, do not have a UKVI account, or your UKVI account details are not up to date.
If you have less than 6 months of permission to stay in the UK, you should normally extend your permission before applying for a travel document. This is important because the Home Office may refuse the travel document application, and destination countries or carriers may also be concerned if your UK permission is close to expiry.
Refugee Travel Document and eVisa requirements
The UK immigration system has moved away from physical Biometric Residence Permits. A BRP has been replaced by an eVisa as digital evidence of immigration status. Before applying for a Refugee Travel Document, you should check that:
- you can access your UKVI account;
- your name, date of birth and nationality details are correct;
- your immigration status is shown correctly;
- your contact details are up to date;
- your identity document details are current; and
- your eVisa correctly reflects your refugee status or relevant family reunion status.
If your eVisa is wrong, incomplete or inaccessible, this should be dealt with before you rely on it for a travel document application or international travel.
Can a person with humanitarian protection apply for a Refugee Travel Document?
Not usually. Humanitarian protection and refugee status are not the same thing for Home Office travel document purposes.
If you have humanitarian protection, you may need to consider a Certificate of Travel instead, particularly where it has been officially accepted that you fear your country’s national authorities. Applying for the wrong type of travel document can lead to refusal and loss of the application fee.
This is one of the most common mistakes. Before applying, check the exact status shown on your eVisa and decision letter. The correct application depends on the type of permission you hold, not simply on the fact that you were previously involved in an asylum claim.
How long is a Refugee Travel Document valid for?
The validity period depends on your immigration status and age.
- If you are settled in the UK with indefinite leave to remain, the document will usually be valid for up to 10 years.
- If you are 15 or under and settled in the UK, the document will usually be valid for up to 5 years.
- If you have limited permission to stay, the document will usually be valid until the end of your permission to stay in the UK.
- The Home Office may issue a document for a shorter period in some cases, for example where a previous document was lost.
A Refugee Travel Document cannot extend your immigration status. If your UK permission expires soon, the travel document will not solve that problem.
How much does a Refugee Travel Document cost?
As at the date this page was reviewed, GOV.UK states that the Refugee Travel Document application fee is:
- £102 for adults, unless the applicant was born before 1 September 1929; and
- £66.50 for children aged 15 or under.
Home Office fees can change. You should always check the current GOV.UK fee before applying. If the application is refused, the fee is normally not refunded.
Which countries can you travel to with a UK Refugee Travel Document?
A UK Refugee Travel Document may allow travel to many countries, but it does not guarantee entry. Each country decides whether it accepts the document and whether a visa is required.
Before booking travel, you should check directly with the embassy, consulate or official immigration authority of every country you intend to visit or transit through. This includes countries where you only plan to change flights.
You should check:
- whether the country accepts UK Refugee Travel Documents;
- whether you need a visa before travel;
- whether transit rules apply;
- whether the airline or carrier has additional boarding requirements;
- whether your travel document must be valid for a minimum period after arrival; and
- whether your UK eVisa and immigration status will be accepted for return travel to the UK.
Do not rely on old forum posts, social media lists or assumptions based on another person’s experience. Entry rules and carrier practices can change.
Can you travel to your country of origin with a Refugee Travel Document?
You should not assume that you can safely travel to your country of origin, or to any country from which you sought asylum.
GOV.UK states that a person with a Refugee Travel Document can usually travel to all countries except the country they are from and any country they sought asylum from. Travel to the country of claimed fear may also create serious immigration risk. It may cause the Home Office to question whether you still need protection, whether your original claim remains credible, or whether your refugee status should be reviewed.
This is especially important where a person has refugee status, refugee settlement, or is planning to apply for settlement or British citizenship. Travel to the country of origin may create difficult questions about cessation, revocation, credibility and future immigration applications.
If you are considering travel to your country of origin for a funeral, medical emergency, family crisis or any other urgent reason, take legal advice before travelling. Compassionate reasons do not automatically remove the immigration risk.
What documents are needed for a Refugee Travel Document application?
The online application will tell you which documents to send. GOV.UK states that supporting documents must be sent by post and that original documents may be required. You should not send documents that the Home Office has not asked for, because they may not be returned.
Depending on the case, relevant documents may include:
- evidence of your identity;
- your Home Office reference number or application reference;
- your refugee status decision letter, if available;
- evidence of your current UK immigration status through your eVisa;
- evidence that your UKVI account details are correct and up to date;
- any previous Home Office travel document;
- evidence explaining what happened if a previous travel document was lost or stolen;
- parental responsibility evidence for a child application; and
- certified translations for any document not in English or Welsh, where required.
The exact evidence depends on the facts. A strong application should make it easy for the Home Office to confirm who you are, what status you hold, why you qualify for the document, and whether there are any issues requiring explanation.
How to apply for a Refugee Travel Document
The application is made online. The process normally involves:
- checking your eVisa and UKVI account;
- confirming that you are applying for the correct type of travel document;
- completing the online application form;
- paying the relevant Home Office fee;
- sending the required supporting documents by post; and
- responding promptly to any Home Office request for further information.
Before applying, check whether your UK permission has at least 6 months left. If it does not, you may need to deal with extension or settlement first.
How long does a Refugee Travel Document application take?
GOV.UK states that it can take up to 14 weeks to get a decision after you have submitted the application and sent any supporting documents.
This is not a guaranteed processing time. Some applications may be delayed if documents are missing, identity details do not match, the applicant has no accessible eVisa, a previous document was lost, there are suitability concerns, or the Home Office needs further checks.
You should not book travel until the travel document has been issued. Booking flights before the document is granted is risky because a delay or refusal may cause financial loss.
Urgent Refugee Travel Document applications for compassionate reasons
The Home Office may consider urgency where there are compassionate reasons for travel. GOV.UK gives examples such as serious illness, the serious illness or death of a family member or friend, or urgent medical treatment abroad that is not available in the UK and cannot be delayed.
Urgency must be supported by evidence. This may include a letter from a doctor or hospital, on headed paper, in English or with a certified translation, explaining the reason for travel and identifying the relevant person and relationship where applicable.
An urgent request is not a guarantee that the document will be issued quickly. The application must still be valid and supported by appropriate evidence.
Common reasons Refugee Travel Document applications are refused or delayed
Refugee Travel Document applications can be refused or delayed for avoidable reasons. Common problems include:
- applying from outside the UK;
- applying for the wrong type of travel document;
- having no eVisa or UKVI account;
- having incorrect or outdated personal details in the UKVI account;
- having less than 6 months of UK permission remaining;
- failing to send required original documents;
- sending documents the Home Office did not request;
- unexplained loss or theft of a previous travel document;
- inconsistent names, dates of birth or nationality details;
- unclear parental consent or responsibility in a child application;
- untranslated foreign documents;
- unresolved immigration status problems; or
- security, identity or suitability concerns.
A careful application should identify these risks before submission, not after refusal.
What if your Refugee Travel Document is refused?
If your Refugee Travel Document application is refused and you believe the decision is wrong, you may be able to ask the Home Office to reconsider the decision.
GOV.UK states that a reconsideration request must be made no later than 28 days after you receive the decision. You can only make one reconsideration request. The request should explain why the refusal decision is wrong and should refer to the rules under which you applied.
A reconsideration request is not the same as simply asking the Home Office to look again. It should be structured, evidence-based and targeted to the reason for refusal. In some cases, the better option may be a fresh application, particularly where the original application was refused because the wrong document type was selected or key evidence was missing.
What if your Refugee Travel Document is lost or stolen?
If your Refugee Travel Document is lost or stolen, you should report this promptly and follow the Home Office process for lost or stolen travel documents. You may also need a police report or other evidence, depending on where and how the document was lost.
A lost document can affect the validity period of a replacement document and may lead to additional Home Office checks. If the loss occurred abroad, the position may be urgent and fact-sensitive.
Children and Refugee Travel Documents
Children need their own travel documents. They cannot simply be included on a parent’s Refugee Travel Document.
For a child application, the Home Office may need to understand who has parental responsibility, whether all necessary consent has been provided, and whether the child’s immigration status qualifies them for the document requested.
Extra care is needed where parents are separated, one parent is outside the UK, a court order exists, the child’s name differs from the parent’s name, or there are safeguarding concerns.
Do you need a lawyer for a Refugee Travel Document application?
Many straightforward applications can be made without legal representation. However, legal advice can be important where there is any risk in the facts.
Legal advice may be particularly useful if:
- you are unsure whether you have refugee status, humanitarian protection or another form of leave;
- your eVisa details are wrong or incomplete;
- your permission expires in less than 6 months;
- you previously lost a travel document;
- you need to travel urgently for compassionate reasons;
- you are thinking about travelling to your country of origin;
- your application has been refused;
- you need to apply for a child and parental responsibility is not straightforward;
- you have criminal convictions or suitability issues; or
- you are also planning settlement or British citizenship and want to avoid creating future problems.
The purpose of legal advice is not to guarantee that the document will be issued. It is to identify the correct route, reduce avoidable risk, present the evidence clearly, and protect your wider immigration position.
How we can help with a Refugee Travel Document application
We can advise on whether a Refugee Travel Document is the correct application for your status, review your eVisa and UKVI account position, identify evidence problems, prepare legal representations where appropriate, and advise on refusal or reconsideration strategy.
We can also advise where proposed travel may affect your refugee status, settlement, future citizenship application or ability to return to the UK.
Practical checklist before applying
- Check that you are in the UK.
- Check that you have refugee status or qualifying family reunion status.
- Check your eVisa and UKVI account.
- Check that your personal details are correct.
- Check how much UK permission you have left.
- Do not book travel before the document is issued.
- Confirm whether your destination and transit countries accept UK Refugee Travel Documents.
- Check whether a visa is required.
- Do not travel to your country of origin without specialist legal advice.
- Send only the documents requested by the Home Office.
FAQ: Refugee Travel Document UK
Who can apply for a Refugee Travel Document in the UK?
You can usually apply if you have refugee status in the UK or if you originally came to the UK on a family reunion visa to join someone with refugee status. You must be in the UK when you apply.
Do I need an eVisa before applying for a Refugee Travel Document?
Yes. GOV.UK states that to apply for a travel document you must have an eVisa and a UKVI account. Your details should be correct and up to date before you apply.
Can I travel to my home country with a UK Refugee Travel Document?
You should not assume that you can travel to your country of origin. GOV.UK states that you can usually travel to all countries except the country you are from and any country you sought asylum from. Travel to the country of claimed fear may also put your refugee status at risk.
How long does a Refugee Travel Document application take?
GOV.UK states that it can take up to 14 weeks to get a decision after the application and supporting documents have been submitted. This is not guaranteed, and you should not book travel before the document is issued.
What happens if my Refugee Travel Document application is refused?
If you believe the refusal decision is wrong, you may be able to submit one reconsideration request. GOV.UK states that this must be made no later than 28 days after you receive the decision.
Can humanitarian protection holders apply for a Refugee Travel Document?
Usually, humanitarian protection holders should not apply for a Refugee Travel Document unless they also meet the refugee travel document criteria. They may need to consider a Certificate of Travel instead. Applying for the wrong document can lead to refusal and loss of the fee.
Do I need a visa if I have a UK Refugee Travel Document?
Possibly. A Refugee Travel Document does not automatically give visa-free entry. You should check with the embassy, consulate or official immigration authority of every country you will visit or transit through before booking travel.
Legal disclaimer
This page provides general information about Refugee Travel Document applications in the UK. It is not legal advice on your individual facts. Refugee status, travel to the country of origin, eVisa errors, urgent compassionate travel, refusal decisions and future settlement or citizenship issues can be legally sensitive. You should obtain advice on your own circumstances before making decisions that may affect your immigration status.
Last legally reviewed: 17/06/2026
By: Adam Sierant