Canada
Travel Documents for Refugees
Travel Documents for Refugees & Protected Persons
If you live in Canada as a protected person or a permanent resident who cannot get a passport from your country of origin, the Government of Canada can issue you a travel document so you can travel internationally. Depending on your status, this is either a Refugee Travel Document or a Certificate of Identity — issued by IRCC and the Passport Program, and accepted in place of a national passport by many countries.
01 What These Travel Documents Are
A travel document for non-Canadians is an official document issued in Canada that lets certain people who are not Canadian citizens travel internationally when they cannot use a passport from their home country. There are two types: the Refugee Travel Document and the Certificate of Identity. They are issued by the Passport Program together with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
These documents are not a Canadian passport and do not give you Canadian citizenship or grant entry to other countries. They are travel documents only — each destination country decides whether to accept them, so you should contact the embassy of any country you plan to visit before booking travel.
You must be in Canada to apply — these services are not available outside the country. You cannot use either document to travel to your country of citizenship.
02 Refugee Travel Document vs. Certificate of Identity
You apply using the same application form for both documents. Once IRCC receives your application, it decides which type of document to issue and how long it will be valid — you don't choose. The difference comes down to your status in Canada:
Refugee Travel Document
Issued to protected persons in Canada — including Convention refugees and persons in need of protection. The cover is blue with two black diagonal lines in the upper-left corner.
Certificate of Identity
Issued to permanent residents of Canada who are not protected persons and who are either stateless, or cannot obtain a national passport or other travel document from any source for a valid reason. The cover is grey.
Eligibility for a Refugee Travel Document or a Certificate of Identity can only be determined after IRCC reviews your complete application. A person's name may appear in only one valid Canadian travel document at a time.
03 Who Can Apply
You may be able to apply for a travel document for non-Canadians if you are in Canada and you are one of the following:
- a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection (protected person) — eligible for a Refugee Travel Document
- a permanent resident who is not a protected person and is stateless — eligible for a Certificate of Identity
- a permanent resident who cannot obtain a passport from their country of citizenship or a travel document from any other source — eligible for a Certificate of Identity
You can also apply on behalf of a child under 16 if you are the child's parent (with proof of parentage), the person with decision-making responsibility, or the child's legal guardian (with the necessary legal documents).
You must hold valid immigration status in Canada to apply. Acceptable proof of status includes a valid permanent resident card, a temporary resident permit, a notice of decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), an IRCC verification of status (VOS) document, or a positive pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) results letter.
04 How to Apply
The application process is the same for both the Refugee Travel Document and the Certificate of Identity. In general, the steps are:
Complete the Application Form
Adults (16 and over) complete the adult travel document application for stateless and protected persons; there is a separate form for children under 16. The same form is used whether you receive a Refugee Travel Document or a Certificate of Identity.
Get Passport-Style Photos
Provide two identical, unaltered photos that meet the specifications, taken within the last six months. One photo must be certified by your guarantor.
Find a Guarantor and Two References
You need a guarantor who meets the requirements to sign your application and the back of one photo, plus two references. Your guarantor and references must have known you for at least six months.
Gather Your Supporting Documents
Include proof of your immigration status, identity documents, and any valid or recent Canadian travel document or foreign passport issued in your name.
Pay the Fee and Submit by Mail
Pay the applicable fee, include your receipt, and mail your complete application. These documents are issued only in Canada (processed in Gatineau, Quebec).
Wait for a Decision
IRCC reviews your application, decides which document to issue and its validity period, and may carry out routine verification and security checks. Check IRCC's current service standards for processing times.
05 Documents You'll Need
A complete application generally includes:
- the completed and signed application form, certified by your guarantor
- two identical passport photos taken within the last six months, one certified by your guarantor
- a photocopy of valid proof of your immigration status in Canada
- identity documents (originals or copies; copies must be signed and dated by your guarantor)
- any non-expired Canadian Refugee Travel Document or Certificate of Identity issued to you
- any valid foreign travel document or national passport issued to you or in which your name appears
- the applicable fee and your payment receipt
Additional documents may be requested depending on your situation. Always confirm the current document checklist on the official IRCC page before mailing your application, as requirements can change.
06 Validity, Fees & Key Limits
Validity: The issuing office (IRCC) decides how long each travel document is valid for — there is no single fixed period you can choose. Some destination and transit countries also require a minimum validity remaining, or a certain number of blank pages, before they will accept your document, so check those rules before you travel.
Fees (verified on the official IRCC fee page, June 21, 2026; fees increased March 31, 2026): Adult Refugee Travel Document (16 and up) CAN$122.50; child Refugee Travel Document (0–15) CAN$57; adult Certificate of Identity (16 and up) CAN$266.25; child Certificate of Identity (0–15) CAN$141. Replacing a valid lost or stolen travel document carries an additional CAN$45 fee. These figures are set by IRCC and subject to change — confirm the current amount on the official IRCC fee page before applying.
Key limits to remember:
- you cannot use either document to travel to your country of citizenship
- acceptance is decided by each destination country — contact its embassy in advance
- these documents are issued only inside Canada and only one valid document may exist in your name
- once you become a Canadian citizen, you would use a Canadian passport instead
07 Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Refugee Travel Document the same as a Canadian passport?+
No. A Refugee Travel Document (and a Certificate of Identity) is not a Canadian passport and does not confer Canadian citizenship. It is a travel document that lets you travel internationally when you cannot use a national passport. Each country you wish to visit decides whether to accept it.
What's the difference between a Refugee Travel Document and a Certificate of Identity?+
A Refugee Travel Document is issued to protected persons in Canada — Convention refugees and persons in need of protection. A Certificate of Identity is issued to permanent residents who are not protected persons and who are either stateless or unable to obtain a passport from their country or any other source. You use the same form for both; IRCC decides which one you receive.
Can I travel to my home country with one of these documents?+
No. You cannot use a Refugee Travel Document or a Certificate of Identity to travel to your country of citizenship. They may be used for travel to other countries that accept them.
How long will my travel document be valid?+
The issuing office (IRCC) decides the validity period for each document when it is issued — it is not a fixed length you select. Also check whether your destination and transit countries require a minimum validity remaining before they will accept it.
Do I need to be in Canada to apply?+
Yes. You must be in Canada to apply — travel document services for non-Canadians are not available outside the country. Applications are submitted by mail, and the documents are issued only within Canada.
How much does it cost?+
As of June 2026, the adult Refugee Travel Document fee is CAN$122.50 and the adult Certificate of Identity fee is CAN$266.25, with lower fees for children (CAN$57 and CAN$141 respectively). Fees increased on March 31, 2026 and are set by IRCC, so confirm the current amount on the official IRCC fee page before applying.
Talk to a Licensed Expert
Need to travel as a refugee or protected person?
Our licensed team — Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants regulated by the CICC — can help you confirm which document fits your status and prepare a complete, accurate application. This page is general information, not legal advice, and no outcome is guaranteed.
