Apply for a Travel Document
If you are a non-British national residing in the United Kingdom and are unable to obtain a passport from your country of origin, you may be eligible to apply for a UK-issued travel document.
However, our team of specialist immigration lawyers can guide you through the entire process from start to finish quickly and easily. For help with your UK travel document application, call us today at +442080162308 or contact us online.
If you are a non-British national residing in the United Kingdom and are unable to obtain a passport from your country of origin, you may be eligible to apply for a UK-issued travel document.
However, our team of specialist immigration lawyers can guide you through the entire process from start to finish quickly and easily. For help with your UK travel document application, call us today at +442080162308 or contact us online.
Eligibility Criteria
You can apply for a Home Office travel document if:
- You are living in the UK as a refugee.
- You have been granted humanitarian protection, and the UK has officially recognized that you fear returning to your country of origin.
- You are stateless (not recognised as a citizen of any country) and have either:
- Temporary permission to stay in the UK (limited leave to remain), or
- Settled status in the UK (indefinite leave to remain).
- You have temporary or settled status in the UK but cannot get a passport or travel document from your country’s national authorities.
- You are currently in the UK at the time of applying.
Individuals who have been granted refugee status in the United Kingdom, or who entered the UK on a family reunion visa to join a recognised refugee, may be eligible to apply for a Refugee Travel Document. This official document allows eligible applicants to travel internationally when they are unable to obtain a passport from their country of origin.
Who Can Apply
You can apply for a Refugee Travel Document if you have been officially recognised as a refugee in the UK. You may also apply if you originally came to the UK under a family reunion visa to join a relative who has refugee status. The document serves as an alternative to a national passport and is intended to facilitate international travel for individuals who are unable to obtain documentation from their country of citizenship.
Validity of the Document
The validity period of the Refugee Travel Document depends on your immigration status. If you have indefinite leave to remain (settled status), the document is typically issued for a period of up to 10 years. For children aged 15 or under who are settled in the UK, it is usually valid for up to 5 years.
If you have limited leave to remain (temporary permission to stay), the travel document will be valid until the end of your current permission to stay in the UK. In some cases, a shorter validity period may be issued, such as when a previous document has been lost or other circumstances apply.
Where You Can Travel
While the Refugee Travel Document enables international travel, there are specific restrictions. You are not permitted to use this document to travel to:
- The country you originally came from
- Any country from which you sought asylum
Before booking any travel, you must check whether the country you plan to visit or pass through accepts Refugee Travel Documents. It is also your responsibility to confirm whether a visa is required. This information can be obtained from the relevant embassy or consulate.
Application Fees
The cost to apply for a Refugee Travel Document is £94.50 for adults. However, individuals born before September 1, 1929, are exempt from this fee and can use it free of charge. For children aged 15 or under, the application fee is £61.50.
Important Reminder
You must not book travel until you have received your Refugee Travel Document. Travelling without it may lead to significant complications or delays. Ensure all required documents are in place before making any travel plans.
Need urgent help? Call:
If you have been officially recognised as stateless in the United Kingdom, you may be eligible to apply for a Stateless Person’s Travel Document. This document is intended for individuals who do not possess nationality in any country and cannot obtain a passport from any national authority.
Please note that if you have refugee status in the UK, you are not eligible to apply for this document. Instead, you must apply for a Refugee Travel Document.
Validity of the Document
The duration for which the Stateless Person’s Travel Document remains valid depends on your immigration status in the UK. If you have indefinite leave to remain (settled status), the document will typically be valid for up to 10 years. For children aged 15 or under who are settled, the document is usually valid for up to 5 years.
If you have limited leave to remain (temporary permission to stay), your travel document will generally remain valid until the expiration of your permission to stay in the UK. In some circumstances, such as when a previous document was lost, the travel document may be issued for a shorter period.
International Travel
A Stateless Person’s Travel Document generally allows you to travel to most countries. However, before making any travel arrangements, it is your responsibility to check with the authorities of your destination country or any countries through which you will transit. You should confirm whether:
- The country accepts UK-issued Stateless Person’s Travel Documents
- A visa is required for your entry or transit.
This information should be obtained from the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit.
Fees
The fee for a Stateless Person’s Travel Document is £94.50 for adults. If you were born before 1 September 1929, you may apply free of charge. For children aged 15 or under, the fee is £61.50.
Important Note
You mustn’t book any travel until you have received your travel document. Travelling without the correct documentation may result in complications or refusal of entry.
Need urgent help? Call:
A Certificate of Travel is a document that allows eligible individuals to travel internationally when they are unable to obtain a passport or travel document from their country’s national authorities. It is issued by the UK Home Office and is intended for non-British nationals residing in the UK under specific immigration statuses.
Who Can Apply
You may be eligible to apply if:
- You have leave to remain or indefinite leave to stay in the UK, and your country’s authorities have refused or are unable to issue you a passport.
- You have humanitarian protection, and it’s officially recognised that you have a fear of your home country’s authorities.
- You entered the UK on a family reunion visa with someone who has humanitarian protection.
- You were born in the UK to a refugee parent, have permission to stay, but do not have refugee status yourself.
- You have an urgent reason to travel, and your country cannot issue you a passport or emergency travel document in time.
Note:
You cannot apply if you have refugee status (apply for a refugee travel document instead) or if you are stateless (apply for a stateless person’s travel document).
Proof of ‘Unreasonable Refusal’
If you are not a refugee or a stateless person, you may need to prove that your national authorities unreasonably refused your passport application. This does not include refusal due to criminal records, tax issues, military service obligations, or application errors.
You are exempt from providing this proof if:
- You’ve been granted humanitarian protection with an accepted fear of national authorities.
- Your country only accepts passport applications in person.
- Your country does not issue passports from the UK or cannot forward applications abroad.
Validity of the Certificate
- Up to 5 years if you have indefinite leave to remain.
- Until the end of your leave, if you have temporary permission to stay.
- May be shorter in exceptional cases.
Travel Restrictions
You can travel to most countries with a Certificate of Travel. However, if you have humanitarian protection due to a fear of your country’s authorities, you cannot travel to that country.
Before travelling, check with the embassy or consulate of your destination country to confirm:
- They accept UK-issued Certificates of Travel.
- You meet the visa entry requirements.
Application Fees
- £300 for adults
- £151 for children aged 15 and under
Need urgent help? Call:
What We Offer
Our Services
we understand that immigrating to a new country is a significant
decision that comes with its own set of challenges.
Family Visas
Partner Visas
Settlement in the UK
Settlement of EEA Nationals
British Citizenship and The Right of Abode
Challenge a Refusal
Removals/Deportations
Asylum/Human Rights
Sponsor License for a UK Business
UK Business Visas
Student Visas
Popular Work Visas
Other work visas and permits
Visas without a job offer
Work for an overseas employer
Temporary work visas
UK Visit Visas
A One Way Travel Document can be issued to individuals who wish to leave the UK permanently but do not hold a valid passport or travel document from their country of origin. This document is specifically designed for a single journey out of the UK.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for a One Way Travel Document, you must meet all the following conditions:
- You are not a British citizen.
- You do not possess a valid passport or travel document from your country.
- You are not currently subject to deportation proceedings from the UK.
- You intend to leave the UK permanently.
- You do not have any outstanding criminal proceedings in the UK.
Unlike other travel documents, you do not need to be settled in the UK or have leave to remain to apply for this document.
Validity and Usage
The One Way Travel Document is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. It is strictly for a single journey out of the UK and cannot be used for re-entry into the UK.
Travel Considerations
Before booking your travel, it is essential to verify whether:
- The destination country accepts one-way travel Documents.
- You require a visa to enter or transit through the country.
This information should be confirmed with the relevant embassies or consulates.
Fees
- The application fee for adults is £94.50.
- For children aged 15 and under, the fee is £61.50.
Need urgent help? Call:
Each family member must submit a separate application to obtain their travel document. It is important to note that travel documents are individual and cannot be shared among family members.
Travel Documents for Children Who Are Not British Citizens
If your child is not a British citizen, they may be eligible to apply for a travel document under the following conditions:
- The child has the same permission to stay in the UK as their parents.
- The child meets the eligibility criteria for the specific type of travel document being applied for.
Children Born in the UK
Children born in the UK may have the right to British citizenship if, at the time of their birth, one of their parents:
- Was settled in the UK (holding indefinite leave to remain), or
- He was a British citizen.
If these conditions are met, the child may be entitled to a British passport instead of a travel document.
Before applying, make sure your permission to stay in the UK is valid for more than six months. If not, you need to extend it first.
You will need to prove your identity using either a valid biometric residence permit (BRP) or an eVisa with up-to-date details in your UKVI account. If your BRP has expired, check if you can use an eVisa instead.
To apply, complete the online application form and send the required supporting documents by post. You’ll be told exactly which documents to send and where to send them. Only send the requested documents and keep your BRP safe — do not send the actual BRP.
If you urgently need a travel document for serious reasons (like illness or a family emergency), you can email extra evidence, such as a doctor’s letter or death certificate, to the Home Office. Make sure to include your name and “urgent compassionate case” in the email subject.
After You Apply
It can take up to 14 weeks to get a decision on your application once you have submitted it with all the required documents.
If your application is refused, the fee you paid will not be refunded.
If you move to a new address after applying, you must inform the Home Office immediately. Otherwise, your travel documents might be sent to your old address. To update your address, email the Home Office travel document enquiries team with “Change of address” and your name in the subject line at traveldocumentenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.
Withdrawing Your Application
You can withdraw your application at any time; however, you will typically not receive a refund. However, if you cancel within 7 days of applying, you may be eligible for a refund. To withdraw, email the Home Office travel document enquiries team.
If You Disagree with the Decision
If your application is refused and you believe the decision is wrong, you can request a reconsideration. Write a letter explaining why you think the decision is incorrect, referencing the rules you applied. You must send this request within 28 days of receiving the decision. You can only make one reconsideration request. Email it with “Reconsideration request” and your application reference number in the subject line to traveldocumentenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.
Receiving Your Travel Document
Once you receive your travel document, carry it with you when you travel. You cannot add it to your UKVI online account. If you have a biometric residence permit (BRP) expiring on or after 31 December 2024, you must carry that as well when you travel.
Need urgent help? Call:
If your travel document is lost or stolen, report it immediately by emailing:
traveldocumentenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk
Include your:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Travel document number (if available)
- Home Office reference or application number
- BRP number (if applicable)
- Police report and crime reference (if available)
Reporting does not replace your document. You must apply separately for a replacement.
Replacing Your Travel Document
- You can only apply for a replacement if you are in the UK.
- You may need to provide biometric information (fingerprints and photo).
If Lost Outside the UK
You cannot replace your document abroad. Instead, apply for:
- Temporary Visa (£154) if you have limited leave or indefinite leave and have been outside the UK for less than 2 years.
- Returning Resident Visa (£682) if you have indefinite leave and have been outside the UK for more than 2 years.
You must provide biometric information at a visa application centre.
After Returning to the UK
Access your eVisa online. For future travel outside the UK, apply for a replacement travel document.
Need urgent help? Call:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for a one-way travel document?
Non-British citizens without a valid passport or travel document from their country who want to leave the UK permanently.
How long is a one-way travel document valid?
It is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and is only for a single journey out of the UK.
Can family members apply using the same travel document?
No, each family member must apply for their travel document separately.
What should I do if my travel document is lost or stolen?
Report it immediately to the Home Office by emailing traveldocumentenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk with your details and any supporting information.
Can I apply for a replacement travel document outside the UK?
No, you must be in the UK to apply for a replacement. If abroad, you need to apply for a temporary visa or a Returning Resident visa to return.
How long does it take to get a decision on my travel document application?
It can take up to 14 weeks after you submit your application and supporting documents.
Can I withdraw my travel document application and get a refund?
You can withdraw at any time; however, refunds are only provided if you cancel within 7 days of applying.
