Refugee Travel Document UK — how to apply
The Refugee Travel Document replaces a national passport for people with refugee status in the UK. You apply online only, on gov.uk, through your UKVI account, for £102. It's valid up to 10 years with ILR; with limited leave to remain, it's valid until that leave ends. gov.uk says a decision takes up to 14 weeks; in our community's experience, the document has arrived in about 35 days. It's the only travel document that lets a refugee travel abroad.
What is the Refugee Travel Document?
The Refugee Travel Document is the UK's official travel document for people with refugee status. You may also see it called the "refugee passport" — same dark-blue booklet issued by the Home Office.
It replaces a national passport for international travel. Most refugees in the UK can't safely use the passport of the country they fled, so this document is what they show at airports and at border control. It's accepted by airlines and most border agencies worldwide.
Who can get a Refugee Travel Document?
- ✓ People with Refugee Status in the UK
- ✓ People who came to the UK on a family reunion visa to join someone with refugee status
- ✗ Asylum seekers (still waiting for a decision) — you can't travel internationally until your claim is decided
- ✗ People with Humanitarian Protection — you get a different document, the Certificate of Travel (£320, black cover)
- ✗ People recognised as stateless — you get a stateless personʼs travel document instead
- ✗ People on a regular visa (work, study, family) — use your national passport
You must be in the UK when you apply.
How to apply for a Refugee Travel Document — step by step
Frequently asked questions
What is a Refugee Travel Document?
A travel document for people with refugee status in the UK. It replaces a national passport for travel. It looks like a blue passport with "Travel Document" and the UK coat of arms on the cover. Airlines and border agencies accept it, but not every country — before you travel, ask the embassy of your destination whether it accepts the document and whether you need a visa.
Who can get a Refugee Travel Document?
People with refugee status in the UK, and people who came to the UK on a family reunion visa to join someone with refugee status. You can only apply while you're in the UK. NOT eligible: asylum seekers (no decision yet), people with Humanitarian Protection (they get a Certificate of Travel for £320 instead), people recognised as stateless (they have their own stateless personʼs travel document), and people on an ordinary visa.
How much does it cost, and how long is it valid?
£102 for an adult, £66.50 for a child aged 15 or under. How long it's valid depends on your status: with indefinite leave to remain (ILR) it's usually valid up to 10 years (up to 5 years for children with ILR). If you have limited leave to remain — 5 years if your status was granted before 2 March 2026, or 30 months if granted after — the document is valid until that leave ends. Renewing means a new application and a new fee. If you're refused, the fee isn't refunded.
How do I apply?
Online only: gov.uk → "Apply for a Home Office travel document" → "How to apply" → Start now. You need an eVisa and a UKVI account with up-to-date details, information about your status, a digital photo (uploaded in the form), and a card to pay £102. Choose the right document type — if you apply for the wrong one, you'll be refused and won't get the fee back. At the end of the form, you'll be told which original documents to post, and where, if this is needed.
How long does it take?
gov.uk says up to 14 weeks once you've submitted the application and any supporting documents. In our community's experience, the document has arrived in about 35 days. There's no paid fast-track service. If you need to travel urgently for a family reason — serious illness, a death in the family, or medical treatment abroad that can't be delayed — email a letter from a doctor or hospital to traveldocumentenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk, subject line "New application enquiry – urgent compassionate case" plus your name.
Do I need to hand in my old BRP?
No — this isn't part of the gov.uk process. BRP cards stopped being valid on 31 December 2024; your status is now in your eVisa. To apply you need an eVisa and a UKVI account, and the details in it must be up to date, or you'll be refused. If you have indefinite leave to remain but never had a BRP, apply for "no time limit" (NTL) first to get an eVisa.
Can I travel to my country of origin with this document?
No. gov.uk says the document isn't valid for travel to the country you're from, or any country you sought asylum from. Travelling there could lead to a review of your refugee status — the Home Office may decide you no longer need protection. You can usually travel to other countries, as long as the country accepts the document and you have a visa if you need one.
What if my application is refused, or I change my mind?
If you're refused, the fee isn't refunded. You can ask for a reconsideration: email traveldocumentenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk with your application reference, subject line "Reconsideration request", within 28 days of the decision, explaining why you think the decision was wrong and referring to the rules you applied under — you can only do this once. You can withdraw your application at any time, but you'll only get a refund if you withdraw within 7 days of submitting it.
My travel document is lost or stolen — what do I do?
Email traveldocumentenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk with your name, date of birth, nationality, and if you have them, your document number, Home Office reference (or UAN), and a police report with crime reference number. You can only apply for a replacement from inside the UK — it's a new application with a new fee. If you lose it abroad, to get back to the UK you'll need a "form for accompanying an eVisa" (£154) from a visa application centre — for limited leave, or for ILR if you've been out of the UK less than 2 years — or a Returning Resident visa (£726) if you had ILR and have been out of the UK more than 2 years.