Protected Persons in Canada

Travel Documents for Refugees

If you have protected person status in Canada and need to travel abroad, you may be able to apply for a Canadian refugee travel document. It provides eligible protected persons with a Canadian-issued document for international travel.

01 Who Can Apply

Canada issues two travel documents for non-Canadians. The document that applies depends on your status and circumstances; IRCC decides which document to issue and how long it will be valid.

For protected persons in Canada

A refugee travel document is issued to protected persons in Canada, including Convention refugees and persons in need of protection. You must be in Canada when you apply.

A different document for some permanent residents

A certificate of identity may be issued to a permanent resident who is not a protected person and is stateless, or who cannot obtain a passport or travel document from another source. It is distinct from a refugee travel document.

A refugee claimant does not become eligible merely by making a claim. The document is for a person who has already received protected person status in Canada.

02 What You Need to Apply

A complete application must establish your identity and status and satisfy the travel document requirements. The current form and instructions should be downloaded directly from Canada.ca each time you apply.

Application and status documents

Use the adult application if you are 16 or older, or the child application for a child under 16. Include the documents requested to confirm your immigration status.

Identity and photos

Provide at least one valid government-issued identity document that meets IRCC's requirements, together with compliant travel document photos. Signed copies may be used where the instructions allow.

Guarantor and references

You need an eligible occupation-based guarantor in Canada who has known you for at least six months, plus two adult references who are not relatives or your guarantor and have known you for at least six months.

If you cannot find an eligible guarantor, contact the Passport Program for a Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form. This form is not available online and must be sworn before an authorized person.

03 How to Apply

Select each stage to see how a refugee travel document application moves from preparation to delivery.

Complete the current application package

Follow the adult or child instructions, obtain the required signatures, and check that every supporting document and photo meets the current specifications.

Pay the applicable government fee

Use the payment method in the current instructions and include proof of payment. Fees can change, so confirm the amount immediately before submitting.

Submit from within Canada

Follow IRCC's current submission instructions. Travel documents for non-Canadians are issued only from within Canada, and the applicant must be in Canada to apply.

Allow time for processing and mailing

IRCC's service standard is 20 business days, not including mailing time. Some applications take longer if corrections, new photos, verifications, or security checks are required. Do not finalize travel until you receive the document.

04 Before You Travel

A refugee travel document helps establish your identity for international travel, but it does not guarantee entry to another country or replace that country's visa requirements.

Destination rules

Ask the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit whether it accepts the document and whether you need a visa.

Country of citizenship

You cannot use a Canadian refugee travel document to travel to your country of citizenship.

Validity

IRCC decides how long the document will be valid. Check the expiry date and leave enough validity for the destination and carrier.

Travel to, or use of a national passport from, the country connected to your refugee protection may raise serious questions about whether you still need Canada's protection. Obtain legal advice before taking either step.

05 Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply from outside Canada?+

No. You must be in Canada to apply, and Canadian travel documents for non-Canadians are issued only from within Canada.

Can a refugee claimant apply for this document?+

Not solely because a claim has been made. A refugee travel document is issued to a person in Canada who already has protected person status, including a Convention refugee or person in need of protection.

Can I travel to my country of citizenship?+

No. The refugee travel document cannot be used for travel to your country of citizenship. Such travel can also affect your protected-person status, so obtain legal advice before making plans.

Do I still need a visa for the country I am visiting?+

It depends on the destination. Contact its embassy or consulate before booking to confirm that it accepts the document and to learn its visa and entry requirements.

What if my application becomes urgent after I submit it?+

Contact IRCC through its web form, identify the request as concerning a Certificate of Identity/Refugee Travel Document, and include your travel date and the reason for urgency. IRCC says it aims to respond to urgent requests within three business days, but this is not a guarantee that the document will be issued by your travel date.

Can I apply for a child?+

Yes. A parent with proof of parentage, a person with decision-making responsibility and the required legal documents, or a legal guardian with proof of guardianship may apply for a child under 16. Child-specific consent and supporting-document rules apply.

Talk to a Licensed Expert

Planning travel with protected person status?

BroadGate can help you understand the travel document requirements, prepare a complete application, and identify protection-related concerns before you leave Canada.

Book a Consultation Free Assessment