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What is a Refugee Travel Document?

Home » What is a Refugee Travel Document?

July 5, 2021

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues Refugee Travel Documents to persons with refugee or asylum status (and in some cases to lawful permanent residents who obtained their permanent residence through refugee or asylum status).

Who Needs a Refugee Travel Document

You must have a Refugee Travel Document to return to the United States if you:

• Have refugee or asylum status but are not a lawful permanent resident (green card holder); or
• Are a derivative asylee or refugee.

If you do not obtain a travel document before you leave the U.S., you may be unable to re-enter the United States or you may be placed in removal proceedings before an immigration judge.

Lawful permanent residents who obtained their status through refugee or asylum status may also apply for a travel document. Although permanent residents can generally enter the United States with the green card (after an absence of less than one year), a travel document may be needed to enter other countries. In this way, the travel document is much like a passport.

An asylum “applicant” cannot obtain a Refugee Travel Document. Instead, asylum applicants may apply for an Advance Parole Document . Advance Parole allows certain aliens to return to the United States without a visa after traveling abroad.

Form I-131, Application for Travel Document

To apply for a Refugee Travel Document, file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document . You should file a Form I-131 before you leave the United States and expect processing times of approximately three months. However, it may take longer. Expedited processing may be available for your situation.

Should you need to leave the United States before USCIS grants the travel document or you want to apply outside the United States, please consult with an immigration attorney .

Mistakes on your Form I-131 can cause costly delays or a denial.

Period of validity.

A Refugee Travel Document is valid for up to one year. During this time you can use the document multiple times.

USCIS will not renew your travel document. Instead, you’ll need to apply for a new one with Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.

Traveling to the Country of Persecution

Traveling back to the country where you experienced past persecution or claim a fear of future persecution is highly discouraged.

RECOMMENDED: Dangers of Refugee/Asylee Travel to Home Country

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Follow-to-Join Refugees and Asylees

Important notice about presidential proclamation 9645, important announcement: follow-to-join refugee case processing now centralized.

Due to processing changes, follow-to-join refugee cases processed by Department of State embassies and consulates will only be processed at embassies or consulates offering immigrant visa services, or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) international field offices.  This will mean that cases currently being processed at posts that only adjudicate nonimmigrant visa applications will be transferred and follow-to-join refugee beneficiaries may need to travel to another country in order to be interviewed.  If your case is being transferred, you will be notified by the Department of State. 

The list of U.S. embassies and consulates below reflect some of the processing locations that will no longer process follow-to-join refugee cases, along with the newly designated embassy, consulate , or USCIS international field office to which the cases will be transferred.  For example, a follow-to-join refugee case arising in the consular district of the U.S. Embassy in Bamako, Mali, will now be processed at the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. 

For a more complete list, you can visit Visa Issuing Posts in order to confirm whether an embassy or consulate nearest to your residence will process your follow-to-join refugee case. If the location provides “All” visa services, then your follow-to-join refugee case can be processed there, unless there is a USCIS international field office in that country.  Locations marked only as “NIV” will no longer process follow-to-join refugee cases.  Embassies or consulates that only offer nonimmigrant visa (NIV) services will note the designated processing post for immigrant visas (and follow-to-join refugees) on their websites https://www.usembassy.gov/ .  

Please note that the change only impacts follow-to-join refugees.  Follow-to-join asylees can still be processed at locations offering just NIV services.

Is there a process for beneficiaries located in a country without a Dept. of State presence (e.g., Afghanistan)?

USCIS is working closely with the Department of State (DOS) to identify how to process Form I-730 petitions in locations abroad where there is not a U.S. government presence. In situations where the Form I-730 beneficiary has departed a country without the U.S. government presence, we ask that Form I-730 petitioners and beneficiaries provide updated information on the beneficiary's location so either USCIS or DOS can process them in a third country. USCIS has revised the  Form I-730 webpage  with information on contacting USCIS or DOS if the beneficiary’s address has changed. To update your or your spouse or child’s address in the United States, submit a  Form AR-11 online . If the beneficiary is located outside of the United States, you should also contact the  National Visa Center (NVC)  and the U.S. embassy or consulate or USCIS international field office processing the case. Find contact information for USCIS international field offices at the  International Immigration Offices  webpage. Find contact information for the U.S. embassy or consulate at the DOS US Embassy webpage, which includes details on whether the U.S. embassy or consulate is open for interviews and additional processing.

What if I was already interviewed?

If you have not been issued a boarding foil, then your case file will be transferred to the regional processing location noted above or on the Visa Issuing Posts page.  

How will I know if my case has been transferred?

The Department of State will notify you if your case is transferred to another location.

What if I choose to have my case transferred to another location, since I am unable to travel to this NEW designated location?

Follow-to-join refugee beneficiaries may request to process their cases at another immigrant visa processing U.S. embassy or consulate that is different than the one designated.  If you would like to have your case transferred to a different embassy, consulate, or USCIS international field office, then you must provide justification for the case transfer and show that you can legally be present in the country while your case is being processed.  You will first need to submit a request directly with the National Visa Center (NVC) through the Ask NVC online submission form.  You should select the “How can I request to have my interview scheduled at a different U.S. Embassy overseas?” in the question dropdown list.  In the box entitled “Additional comments or questions not in the above list”, you should include a justification for requesting the different location and note that it is in regards to “follow-to-join refugee centralization.”

Can I use my still valid medical exam at a new processing location?

Yes, the results of a still valid medical exam completed in another location can be transferred to another embassy, consulate, or USCIS international field office.

Spouse and Unmarried Minor Children Abroad Following to Join a Refugee or Asylee in the United States

Welcome to the webpage dedicated to follow-to-join refugee and asylee processing. You have come to this webpage if you have a USCIS approved I-730 petition, and you received an email or letter from the National Visa Center (NVC) telling you that your petition was sent overseas for processing. Find the subject in the list below and click to visit that section of the page.

Overview – Follow-to-Join Refugees and Asylees

Follow-to-join overseas processing steps, overseas interview appointment scheduling, documentation needed for the overseas interview, medical examination and vaccination requirements, how long will it take to process a case overseas.

• Ineligibilities - What if a Beneficiary is Ineligible?

Case Inquiries

Using a Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, a person who has been granted asylum or refugee status in the United States (the petitioner) may petition to have his or her spouse and/or unmarried children, who are called beneficiaries, join him or her in the United States. Overseas, the beneficiaries of Forms I-730 filed by asylees in the United States are known as  follow-to-join asylees . Beneficiaries of Forms I-730 filed by refugees are known as  follow-to-join refugees .

1.  Petition Filing:  An individual (petitioner) who was granted asylum in the United States as a principal asylee or who was resettled to the United States as a principal refugee can file an I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, within the first two years of arrival, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), on behalf of his or her spouse and unmarried child(ren) (beneficiary). Further details on petition filing are available on the USCIS website under  Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition .

2.  National Visa Center (NVC) Pre-Processing Case Assignment:  If the beneficiary of an approved petition is located overseas, USCIS sends the approved Form I-730 petition to the  National Visa Center (NVC) . NVC then forwards the case file to the overseas location where the beneficiary will interview. NVC sends the petitioner a letter or email telling him/her which office will interview the beneficiary, how to get in touch with that office, and what steps to take next.   

3.  Beneficiary Interview:  The beneficiary will be interviewed by either a Department of State consular officer or USCIS officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas. This interview will confirm the beneficiary’s identity, claimed relationship to the petitioner, and eligibility to travel to the United States. During the interview process, the beneficiary must provide ink-free, digital fingerprint scans. The beneficiary interview requires careful preparation, including having all required original documents available for the interview. Some beneficiaries also must complete a  medical examination  prior to interview. See the “Documentation Needed for the Overseas Interview” section below for details on what to bring to the interview.

4.  Approval to Travel as a Follow-to-Join Refugee or Follow-to-Join Asylee:  The interviewing officer will tell the beneficiary if he or she has been found eligible to travel to the United States.

5.  After Interview Processing:  Some cases require further  administrative processing , which takes additional time after the beneficiary’s interview. Follow-to-join refugee beneficiaries, for example, undergo post-approval processing to arrange for sponsorship by a voluntary resettlement agency in the United States upon arrival. (NOTE: All follow-to-join refugee beneficiaries are required to have a sponsorship assurance from a resettlement agency before travel to the United States in order to receive refugee benefits.)

6.   Issuance of Boarding Foil and Travel Packet:  An officer will place a boarding foil in the approved beneficiary’s passport or other travel document. The beneficiary also will receive a sealed envelope – called a "travel packet" – containing the documents for review by a DHS immigration official when the beneficiary enters the United States.

7.  Travel Arrangements : The beneficiary must enter the United States before the expiration date printed on the boarding foil. The officer who conducted the interview will advise the beneficiary about travel arrangements to the United States. Typically, follow-to-join asylee beneficiaries are instructed to make their own travel arrangements. Travel arrangements for follow-to-join refugee beneficiaries, on the other hand, are required to be arranged and managed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Follow-to-join refugee beneficiaries who arrive in the United States without IOM coordination will not receive the reception and placement benefits to which they are entitled.

8.   Entering the United States : The boarding foil issued to the beneficiary allows him or her to travel to the U.S. port of entry to request permission to enter the United States. However, the boarding foil does not guarantee entry into the United States. The DHS Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the U.S. port-of-entry have the authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. Upon arrival at the port-of-entry, the beneficiary must give the CBP officer his or her passport (or other travel document) with boarding foil and the unopened/sealed travel packet envelope. Beneficiaries should review important information about admission and entry requirements on the CBP website under  Travel .

All follow-to-join refugee and asylee beneficiaries must be interviewed by a USCIS officer or Department of State consular officer at a U.S. Embassy. When a case is ready for interview, the embassy will send the applicant or petitioner a letter with instructions explaining how to schedule an interview appointment. 

Failure by a beneficiary to schedule an interview appointment will result in processing delays. It is critical that the overseas office conducting the beneficiary interview has the current contact information – including physical and mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses – for the petitioner, beneficiary, and if applicable, the representative of record on the case.

For interviews conducted by the Consular Section: Please follow the instructions the U.S. Embassy sends you and the guidance in the below section titled “Documentation Needed for the Overseas Interview.” You can also visit  Interview Preparation – Interview Guidelines  for general information on how to prepare for an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  Important: Not all of the documents required for immigrant visa applicants are necessary for beneficiaries of I-730 petitions. The information on this link should be used as a general outline of what an interview is like.

For interviews conducted by an overseas USCIS office: After the interview is scheduled, the USCIS office will send the beneficiary a confirmation notice, which will outline the requirements that the beneficiary must fulfill before his or her interview.

1.  The original and a photocopy of the following civil documents for each beneficiary, as applicable. These documents confirm the beneficiary’s identity and relationship to the petitioner in the United States:

    a. Birth certificate;

    b. Marriage certificate;

    c. Certified adoption decree;

    d. Divorce certificate         (if needed to prove the legal termination of previous marriages);

    e. Death certificate         (if needed to prove the legal termination of previous marriages); and

    f. Documentation of any legal name change.

    g. Six photographs of the beneficiary         (see the photograph requirements); and

    h. A photocopy of the biographical data page of the beneficiary’s passport, if available.

Note: Documents written in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. When the beneficiary is interviewed overseas, the interviewing officer may ask for additional information, such as photographs and other proof that the relationship with the U.S. petitioner is genuine. 

2.  One or more travel document(s) , such as a passport, with a validity date at least six months beyond the beneficiary’s intended date of entry into the United States and/or picture identity card (for example, a refugee travel document).

3.  Other evidence of relationship between the beneficiary and petitioner, such as photographs, available school records, family correspondence, phone bills, documentation demonstrating financial support, and other proof that the relationship is genuine.

4.  Completed Medical Examination Report , which will be provided by an embassy-approved panel physician after the beneficiary has successfully completed a medical examination and vaccinations (see below). 

Important Notice : Follow-to-join asylee beneficiaries must complete their medical exam  before  their interviews with a USCIS officer or Department of State consular officer, and they are responsible for paying the cost of the medical examination. Follow-to-join refugee beneficiaries typically are instructed to complete their medical exams after their interviews, and the U.S. Government pays all costs associated with the medical examination.

Before the issuance of a follow-to-join refugee or asylee boarding foil, every beneficiary, regardless of age, must undergo a medical examination, which  must be performed by an authorized panel physician. See  Medical Examination  for more information. You can find a list of approved panel physicians by country on our Interview Preparation – Interview Guidelines web page. 

Follow-to-join refugee and asylee beneficiaries are encouraged to get certain vaccinations. Although vaccinations are not required prior to travel to the United States, they will be required when adjusting status to that of lawful permanent resident. Beneficiaries are therefore encouraged to fulfill these vaccination requirements at the time of the medical examination. See  Vaccination Requirements for IV Applicants  for the list of vaccinations.

Once a case has been transferred by NVC to the appropriate USCIS office or U.S. Embassy Consular Section, the length of time needed to complete the case varies according to its circumstances, and cannot be predicted with any accuracy. (It is important to provide correct postal addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses for both the petitioner and the beneficiary to the U.S. Embassy or USCIS office processing the case. See  Case Inquiries  below). Some cases require further  administrative processing , which takes additional time after the beneficiary’s interview.

Please visit  My Case Status  on the USCIS website to obtain a status on an I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition. If the case has been transferred overseas by NVC, the petitioner or beneficiary may contact the USCIS office or U.S. embassy processing the case for information.

Ineligibilities

Certain conditions and activities may make the beneficiary ineligible for admission to the United States. If a beneficiary is ineligible, he or she will be informed by the USCIS officer or Department of State consular officer at the time of interview, and advised whether there is a  waiver  of ineligibility and what the waiver process is. Ineligible cases are returned to the USCIS Service Centers that initially approved them for further action.

There is no cost to file a Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition. There is no cost to schedule a Form I-730 beneficiary interview. 

If petitioners, beneficiaries, or representatives have a question concerning a follow-to-join refugee or asylee case in progress at a USCIS office or U.S. Embassy, first contact the appropriate USCIS office or U.S. Embassy for status information. Case status information also is available on the USCIS website under  My Case Status .

Before making an inquiry, petitioners and representatives should carefully review this website for answers to questions. Because of the volume of inquiries received, USCIS and the Department of State cannot promise an immediate reply to an inquiry.

Department of State contact information is available at  Contact Us . USCIS contact information is available at  Contact Us .

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Refugee Travel Document Guide: How to Get a Refugee Travel Document

If you are in the United States in refugee or asylum status, you will need to apply for a refugee travel document if you wish to travel outside of the United States. A refugee travel document is a small booklet, similar to a passport, and is used by refugees and asylees to reenter the United States after traveling abroad. If you are in the U.S. on refugee or asylum status and you leave without a refugee travel document, you may be unable to reenter the U.S., or you may be placed in removal proceedings .

In this guide, I’ll explain how to apply for a refugee travel document. If you have any questions, feel free to email me directly at [email protected] .

• What is a Refugee Travel Document and Why Do You Need One?
• Who is Eligible to Apply for a Refugee Travel Document?
• What are the Requirements to Get a Refugee Travel Document?
• How to Apply for a Refugee Travel Document (Step-by-Step)
• How Long is a Refugee Travel Document Valid For?
• Refugee Travel Document Processing Time
• Is There Any Way to Speed-Up the Refugee Travel Document Processing Time?
• What Documents to Submit with Your Refugee Travel Document Application
• What is the Refugee Travel Document Fee?
• Traveling Back to the Country of Claimed Persecution

1. What is a Refugee Travel Document and Why Do You Need One?

A refugee travel document is a small booklet, similar to a passport. It has multiple pages and in certain situations, can be used instead of a passport. If you are lawfully present in the United States in refugee of asylum status, and you plan to travel abroad, you need a refugee travel document to reenter the United States. Without a refugee travel document, you may be unable to reenter the country and you may even face removal proceedings.

Please keep in mind that a refugee travel document does not guarantee that you will be readmitted to the United States. You still must undergo inspection by a Customs and Border Patrol officer.

2. Who is Eligible to Apply for a Refugee Travel Document?

• Individuals in refugee or asylum status
• Lawful permanent residents who obtained their permanent resident status as a refugee or asylee in the U.S.

3. What are the Requirements to Get a Refugee Travel Document?

1. must be a refugee or asylee or lawful permanent resident.

To apply for a refugee travel document, you must either be in the U.S. in refugee or asylum status . Alternatively, you must be a U.S. permanent resident (green card holder) who obtained their lawful permanent resident status as a refugee or alysee.

If you have applied for refugee or asylum status and it is not yet approved, you are not eligible for a refugee travel document. If you are in any other status, you are ineligible for a refugee travel document.

2. Must be physically present in the U.S. when your refugee travel document application is filed

To qualify for a refugee travel document, you should be in the United States when your refugee travel document is filed, received, and accepted by USCIS. Additionally, you should remain in the U.S. until your biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment is completed. Leaving the U.S. before your biometrics appointment may result in a denial of your case.

In some cases, you may be eligible to apply for a refugee travel document if you are outside of the United States. To do this, your application must be filed within 1 year of your last departure from the United States. If you are applying from outside of the United States, you will have to include with your application an explanation of why you left the U.S. without first applying for a refugee travel document. The USCIS Overseas District Director with jurisdiction over your region will have discretion regarding whether to approve or deny your application. For this reason, it is best practice to apply for a refugee travel document before you leave the U.S.

3. Must file Form I-131, submit the required supporting documents, and attend a biometrics appointment

To be eligible for a refugee travel document you must submit a Form I-131 to USCIS and include the required documentation with your case. We will discuss this in more detail later in this guide.

To qualify for a refugee travel document, you must also attend a mandatory biometrics appointment. The biometrics appointment is where your digital fingerprints are taken.

4. How Long is a Refugee Travel Document Valid For?

A refugee travel document is valid for 1 year from the date it is issued.

5. How to Apply for a Refugee Travel Document (Step-by-Step)

Step 1. file form i-131 along with supporting documents.

To apply for a refugee travel document, you must file a Form I-131 with USCIS. The Form I-131 is Application for Travel Document. As mentioned earlier, it is best practice to be physically present in the U.S. when this form is filed. Otherwise, there is greater potential for the application to be denied.

Step 2. Attend Biometrics Appointment

After the I-131 is filed, USCIS will send you a notice requiring you to attend a mandatory biometrics appointment. The biometrics appointment I where your digital fingerprints are recorded. This is a mandatory step to get a refugee travel document.

6. Refugee Travel Document Processing Time

This answer is best divided into 4 separate segments:

1. Issuance of USCIS Receipt Notice (1 to 3 Weeks from Filing)

Once you file the Form I-131 with USCIS, you are issued a receipt notice. The receipt notice is the confirmation from USCIS that your application was received and accepted. In addition, the receipt notice contains a unique receipt number. You can use your receipt number to track the progress of your application through the USCIS case status checker . You should receive the receipt notice within 1 to 3 weeks of filing the refugee travel document application.

2. Issuance of Biometrics Appointment Notice (6 Weeks from Filing)

About 6 weeks after filing your refugee travel document application, you will receive a biometrics appointment notice from USCIS. The biometrics appointment notice contains the time, date, and location of the biometrics appointment. This notice also contains instructions regarding what you must bring with you to the biometrics appointment. If needed, you may reschedule the biometrics appointment by following the instructions on the appointment notice.

3. Biometrics Appointment Date (8 Weeks from Filing)

Your actual biometrics appointment will take place about 8 weeks after filing your refugee travel document application. Make sure to bring a valid I.D. along with the actual biometrics appointment notice with you to the appointment (along with any other documents specified on the appointment notice).

4. Issuance of Refugee Travel Document (2 to 5 Months from Filing)

Your actual refugee travel document will be issued about 2 to 5 months from the date you file the Form I-131. You may choose to have the travel document delivered to your U.S. address, to a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad, or to your immigration lawyers office (if you are working with an immigration lawyer).

You are not required to remain in the U.S. until you receive the physical travel document. If necessary, you may leave after completing your biometrics appointment. You can then have the travel document sent to a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad as mentioned above.

7. Is There Any Way to Speed-Up the Refugee Travel Document Processing Time?

Yes, in certain situations, USCIS may grant expedited processing of a refugee travel document application. Here is a link that goes over the situations in which USICS may grant expedited processing of a case . It is at the discretion of USCIS whether or not to expedite a case.

Here are some reasons USCIS may expedite a case:

• Severe financial loss to a company or individual
• USCIS error
• Compelling USCIS interest
• Humanitarian reasons

8. What Documents to Submit with Your Refugee Travel Document Application

The specific documents you should submit with your refugee travel document application will depend on your particular case. With that disclaimer, here are some general document you should include:

• Copy of valid government issued photo I.D. (such as passport, lawful permanent resident card, driver’s license)
• Copy of USCIS document showing your status as a refugee or asylee and the date the status expires.
• 2 passport photos

9. What is the Refugee Travel Document Fee?

There are 2 fees associated with applying for a refugee travel document:

• I-131 Filing Fee: ($135 for people age 16 and older and $105 for people under 16 years old)
• Biometrics Fee: $85 (the biometrics fee is only required for people from the ages of 14 to 79 years old)

10. Traveling Back to the Country of Claimed Persecution

Traveling back to your country of claimed persecution can have severe consequences to your refugee or asylum status in the United States.

If you have asylum status in the United States and you travel back to your country of claimed persecution, your asylum status may be terminated. Traveling back to your country of claimed persecution could be seen as a change of circumstances surrounding your grant of asylum. Alternatively, it could be seen as a demonstration that your fear of persecution is not genuine. In addition, it may be seen that you have voluntarily availed yourself of the protection of your country of nationality.

Due to these potential consequences, it is best practice to avoid travel back to your country of claimed persecution.

11. Conclusion

A refugee travel document is necessary if you are in refugee or asylum status in the U.S. and you plan to leave the country. Without a refugee travel document, travel outside of the U.S. could result in an inability to return to the U.S. and may also result in being placed in removal proceedings. For these reasons, a refugee travel document is highly important. If you need assistance applying for your refugee travel document, feel free to email me directly at [email protected] . I’m a U.S. immigration lawyer, and I would be happy to help you.

• USCIS Expedite Criteria
• INA Act 208 - Asylum
• USCIS Case Status Tracker
• USCIS – Form I-131
• USCIS Fact Sheet Re: Traveling Outside the United States as an Asylum Applicant, an Asylee, or a Lawful Permanent Resident Who Obtained Such Status Based on Asylum Status
• I-131 Instructions  

Related Posts

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• Entering and staying in the UK
• Travel and identity documents for foreign nationals
• Home Office travel documents: caseworker guidance
• UK Visas and Immigration

Travel documents: Home Office travel documents (accessible)

Published 29 August 2013

© Crown copyright 2013

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/travel-documents-home-office-travel-documents/travel-documents-home-office-travel-documents-accessible

About this guidance

This guidance tells you about the types of Home Office travel documents (HOTD) and:

• who qualifies for each type
• how applicants can apply for an HOTD
• how much they cost
• how applications are handled
• how applicants can change an HOTD

Changes to this guidance

This page tells you what has changed since the previous version of this guidance.

This page tells you who to contact for help on HOTD issues if your senior caseworker or line manager can’t answer your question.

Information owners

This page tells you about this version of the HOTD guidance and who owns it.

Safeguard and promote child welfare

This page explains your duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and tells you where to find out more information.

This page lists changes to the Home Office travel documents guidance, with the most recent at the top.

29 October 2013

Six month review by the modernised guidance team:

• Home Office travel document application form changed to ‘TD112 BRP’ from ‘TD112’
• page renamed from ‘Biometric information Home Office travel documents’
• page renamed from ‘How the UK Border Agency handles Home Office travel document applications’

26 April 2013

• minor housekeeping changes

For previous changes to this category you will find all earlier versions in the archive. See related link: Home Office travel documents - Archive.

Types of Home office travel document (HOTD)

This section tells you about the types of Home Office travel documents (HOTD.

The following types of HOTD are issued to people present in the UK. See related links for more information:

• convention travel document (CTD)
• stateless person’s document (SPD)
• certificate of travel (COT)
• one-way document (IS137).

All HOTDs must be applied for individually. Children cannot be included in parents’ applications or documents.

All applications for a HOTD are considered by the travel documents section (TDS).

Most HOTDs are valid for travel to all countries, except those from which the holder sought asylum, and/or the holder’s country of origin. The HOTD is described as being closed for travel to these countries.

If there are no restrictions on travelling, the HOTD is valid for travel to all countries. These HOTDs are known as open.

Convention travel document

This page explains what a convention travel document (CTD) is and who can apply for one.

CTDs can be issued to people recognised in the UK as refugees under the terms of the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

CTDs are normally valid:

• in line with the holder’s leave to enter or remain in the UK, or
• for a maximum of 10 years for those with indefinite leave to enter or remain.

They usually allow travel to any country, except the holder’s country of origin and/or the country from which they sought asylum. The travel restrictions for CTDs mean they are a closed Home Office travel document (HOTD).

CTDs have a dark blue cover.

Mandatory cases

A mandatory case is one that results in the issue of a HOTD. An application from:

• a person recognised as a refugee, or
• a person who entered the UK on a family reunion entry clearance to join a recognised refugee sponsor

falls into this category, and they are entitled to a CTD. The travel documents section (TDS) can only refuse an otherwise valid application in this category on the grounds of national security, or for compelling public order reasons.

A CTD can be withdrawn before it expires if appropriate, particularly if the holder no longer has valid permission to remain in the UK. The issue of a CTD does not prevent other action being taken, including the removal of refugee status, or permission to remain in the UK.

Dependants of refugees

If a dependant enters the UK with entry clearance endorsed ‘family reunion’, TDS must check the status of the sponsor. If the sponsor is a recognised refugee and had that status at the time of the entry clearance application, and the dependant was part of the pre-flight family unit, a CTD can be issued to the dependant. The dependant must make their own application for a CTD.

Stateless person’s document

This page explains what a stateless person’s document (SPD) is and who can apply for one.

A stateless person is someone who is not considered as a national by any state under the operation of its law.

The travel documents section (TDS) issue SPDs to certain categories of people under the terms of the 1954 United Nations Convention relating to the status of Stateless Persons.

The document is valid for up to 10 years, depending on the holder’s leave to enter or remain. It is normally valid for travel to all countries.

An SPD can be withdrawn before it expires if appropriate, particularly if the holder no longer has valid permission to remain in the UK. The issue of an SPD does not prevent other action being taken, including the removal of refugee status, or permission to remain in the UK.

SPDs have a red cover.

TDS senior caseworkers consider applications for SPDs.

Certificate of travel

This page explains what a certificate of travel (COT) is and who can apply for one.

COTs are issued to people who do not qualify for convention travel documents or stateless person’s travel documents.

Until 17 March 2008, the COT was called a certificate of identity (CID). A CID has a brown cover, a COT has a black cover and contains biometric features. CIDs continue to remain valid for travel until they reach their individual expiry date.

To be eligible for a COT, applicants must have been formally and unreasonably refused a passport by their own authorities and have either been:

• granted indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK, or
• refused asylum, but granted humanitarian protection or discretionary leave to remain in the UK

COTs are usually valid for travel to any country, except the holder’s country of origin and/or the country they sought asylum from.

A COT can be withdrawn before it expires if appropriate, particularly if the holder no longer has valid permission to remain in the UK. The issue of a COT does not prevent other action being taken, including the removal of refugee status, or permission to remain in the UK.

Some European countries may not accept COTs as valid travel documents. The holder of a COT must check the acceptability of the document and any visa requirements when planning their travel abroad.

One-way document (IS137)

This page explains what a one-way document (IS137) is and who can apply for one.

A one-way document (IS137) only allows travel for one journey out of the UK. The travel documents section (TDS) can issue an IS137 to anyone who is in the UK and is not British. Immigration status is not relevant, but the applicant must provide evidence of identity.

This document can be issued to people who wish to leave the UK permanently and voluntarily.

At the time of their application the applicant must state their country of destination and any countries they will pass through in transit. The applicant is responsible for making the necessary applications for visas and making sure the authorities in the country of destination will accept them.

The IS137 is an A4-sized sheet of white paper. It includes a scanned photograph of the holder and their personal details.

An IS137 is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

Application process for a Home Office travel document

This section explains the application process for a Home Office travel document (HOTD).

The information for applicants section explains:

• how people apply for an HOTD
• waiting times
• biometric HOTDs
• how applications from children are considered
• how applications from those undergoing gender reassignment are considered
• how applications from particular groups of people are considered, and
• how applicants can withdraw their application.

The Home Office travel document fees and refund policy section explains the cost of applying for an HOTD, ways to pay, and the refund policy.

The section on how Home Office travel document applications are handled explains how applications for an HOTD are screened and when applications will be rejected, refused or granted.

The section on how to change or replace a Home Office travel document explains how the travel documents section (TDS) deals with lost, stolen, expired or full HOTDs, or instances when the holder changes their personal details.

Information for applicants

How to apply for a home office travel document.

This page explains how applicants can apply for a Home Office travel document (HOTD).

To apply for an HOTD, applicants must complete application form TD112 BRP. To download form TD112 BRP and for guidance on how to complete the form, see related links:

• Home Office travel document application form TD112 BRP
• guidance notes for completing application form TD112 BRP
• guidance notes for photographs for application form TD112 BRP

Each applicant must pay a fee for their application. For more information on fees, see related link: Home Office travel document fees and refund policy.

An applicant must have at least six months leave to enter or remain in the UK on the date they apply for an HOTD, unless it is a one-way document.

The travel documents section (TDS) will reject any application if the applicant has less than six months leave in the UK. TDS will return all documents, including the TD112 BRP and photographs to the applicant with a letter explaining why the application has been rejected. TDS must update paper and electronic records with the reasons for rejecting the application.

Waiting times for a Home Office travel document

This page explains the current waiting times for a Home Office travel document (HOTD). Written confirmation is sent to applicants when their application(s) are received.

Applicants should not contact the Home Office to ask about the progress of their application unless they have been waiting longer than 14 weeks.

Applications to replace lost documents take longer because the loss must be investigated.

The travel documents section (TDS) deals with applications in the order they are received, unless an HOTD is needed because of a medical emergency or a family funeral. In these cases, the applicant must provide evidence of the emergency, for example a recent medical report, doctor’s report or death certificate. Applicants can fax this evidence to (020) 8196 0109. If evidence of the emergency is not sent, or if TDS decide it is not appropriate to give the application priority, TDS will deal with the application according to the date it was received.

Applicants must not make any arrangements to travel until they receive their HOTD.

For details of application processing times, see related link: How long will my application take?

How to apply for a child’s Home Office travel document

This page explains how applications for Home Office travel documents (HOTD) for children are considered.

A separate application form must be completed for each child. Children cannot be included on the same application form as their parent or guardian.

There is no minimum age for the issue of a child’s HOTD. Children under 16 can obtain a child’s HOTD.

A child’s HOTD has a lower application fee, but is normally valid for a shorter time than an adult HOTD.

Children must have at least six months valid leave to enter or remain at the time of application.

Children can travel on a British passport if they were born in the UK to a parent who was a:

• British citizen on the date of the child’s birth, or
• permanent resident of this country on the date of the child’s birth

If the child is 17 years old or under, a parent, person or body with parental responsibility must complete all parts of section 7 of the application form (TD112 BRP). Section 8 must not be signed.

If the child is 16 or 17 years old and does not have a parent, person or body with parental responsibility in the UK, they must provide a letter explaining the absence of anyone to give consent. Section 7.2 of the TD112 BRP must be completed and the child must sign section 8.

If the child’s parents are divorced or if there is, or has been, a custody case concerning the child, the child or their representative must provide the original divorce or custody papers.

Biometric Home Office travel documents

This page explains about biometric Home Office travel documents (HOTD). Biometric HOTDs were introduced on 17 March 2008.

The applicant’s scanned photograph is the biometric information element of the document.

All UK ports and European Union (EU) member states can read the data on the biometric chip.

Holders of non-biometric HOTDs can continue to use them until they expire. If they successfully apply for a new document the travel documents section (TDS) will issue them with a biometric HOTD.

Gender reassignment

This page explains how an application for a Home Office travel document (HOTD) from a person who has undergone, or is undergoing, gender reassignment is dealt with.

People who have undergone, or are in the process of undergoing, gender reassignment can apply for an HOTD in their new identity.

The applicant must provide the following documentary evidence:

• their birth certificate
• a change of name deed or statutory declaration confirming their change of name
• a letter from the hospital or consultant confirming that the applicant is to live in their new gender
• any passports they hold, both valid and expired

The Gender Recognition Act 2004 came into force on 1 April 2005. You have a duty of care not to disclose information regarding an individual’s new identity or gender. Travel documents section (TDS) caseworkers must exercise due care when dealing with these applications and refer them to a senior caseworker.

Applications from particular groups

This page explains how the travel documents section (TDS) deal with applications from Chinese and Hong Kong Chinese nationals.

Chinese nationals

TDS will usually issue a convention travel document (CTD), closed to China and to the Hong Kong special administrative area (SAR), to refugees from China.

Hong Kong Chinese nationals

Hong Kong Chinese nationals resident in the UK for many years can apply for a Home Office travel document (HOTD). TDS can issue a certificate of travel (COT) valid for five years and open for travel to all countries if:

• the applicant originally entered the UK on a Hong Kong certificate of identity (C of I), which is a green, hand-written book issued by the Hong Kong authorities that has now expired, and
• they have indefinite leave to remain (ILR)

TDS impound the Hong Kong C of I and send the HOTD to the applicant. TDS keep the impounded C of I in their passport bank.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

This page explains how the travel documents section (TDS) deals with applications for people from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The British government does not recognise the TRNC as an independent state. TDS considers all applications made by people claiming to be Turkish Cypriots in the normal way.

The applicant’s nationality depends on where they were originally from, and this determines where the Home Office travel document (HOTD) will be closed to.

A Turkish national does not lose their Turkish nationality by settling in the TRNC, even if they adopt and use TRNC nationality documents. Applicants who were born in Cyprus, but who are descended from Turkish nationals, will be Turkish nationals. Children born in the TRNC to a Turkish parent are Turkish citizens from birth. In these cases their HOTD must record their nationality as Turkish and the HOTD will be closed to Turkey.

A person resident in the TRNC who is not a Turkish national will almost always be a citizen of the Republic of Cyprus. If it is not clear from the Home Office file which nationality the applicant is, the caseworker must assume that they are Cypriot and TDS will issue an HOTD showing their nationality as Cypriot and closed for travel to Cyprus.

TDS applies the above rules when issuing a convention travel document (CTD) or a certificate of travel (COT).

For more information on how TDS considers applications see related link: How Home Office travel document applications are handled.

The Gateway protection programme

This page explains about the Gateway protection programme and how the travel documents section (TDS) consider applications for Home Office travel documents (HOTD) from people resettled in the UK under this programme. The Gateway protection programme is operated in conjunction with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Once a person is accepted under this programme and they have resettled in the UK, the person can apply to TDS for an HOTD.

The programme started in March 2004. At the start of the programme, individuals are assessed under the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Some individuals were granted refugee status, and some exceptional leave. After a policy change in January 2006 refugee status is granted to all people accepted under the programme. A person recognised as a refugee under the programme is entitled to a convention travel document (CTD). For more information see related link: Convention travel document.

A person given exceptional leave under the programme is eligible for a certificate of travel (COT). These people would have been granted refugee status if they had been accepted under the programme after the policy change in January 2006. For this specific group of people, TDS do not need proof that their national authorities have refused them a passport before we will issue a COT. For more information see related link: Certificate of travel.

Withdrawing an application for a Home Office travel document

This page explains how an applicant can withdraw an application for a Home Office travel document (HOTD).

An applicant can decide at any time to withdraw their HOTD application. The applicant must inform the travel documents section (TDS) in writing they wish to do this. The applicant can send the letter by post or fax.

When TDS receive written confirmation that the applicant wishes to withdraw their application, they will return all supporting documentation to the applicant.

Home Office travel document fees and refund policy

This page explains the cost of applying for a Home Office travel document (HOTD), ways to pay, and the travel documents section’s (TDS) refund policy.

A fee must be sent with every application. The full application fee is also payable when:

• changing a name on an HOTD
• renewing an expired document
• replacing a document that is full, or
• replacing a lost or stolen document.

There is no fee for correcting an error on an HOTD if a mistake has been made by TDS. In these cases, the applicant must return their document within 28 days of issue.

If the error is the fault of the applicant or their representative, the full fee must be paid before a new document is issued.

For a list of the current fees payable, see related link: Cost of applying.

An applicant can pay by:

• postal order
• credit card - Visa, including Electron, or MasterCard only
• debit card - Maestro cards issued in the UK, Switch, or Delta
• banker’s draft.

Cash must not be sent.

If enclosing applications for more than one person in the same envelope, all fees must be included.

Refund policy

The usual policy is that refunds are not given if an application is refused, rejected or withdrawn.

How Home Office travel document applications are handled

This section explains how the travel documents section (TDS) processes and considers applications for Home Office travel documents (HOTD), and when it is appropriate to reject, refuse or issue an HOTD:

• Processing and considering Home Office travel document applications: this page explains how TDS processes and considers applications for an HOTD
• Rejecting Home Office travel document applications: this page explains the procedure for rejecting an application for an HOTD
• Refusing Home Office travel document applications: this page explains the procedure for refusing an application for an HOTD
• Successful Home Office travel document applications and issuing documents: this page explains the procedure for issuing an HOTD

Processing and considering Home Office travel document applications

This page explains how the travel documents section (TDS) processes and considers applications for Home Office travel documents (HOTD).

TDS checks all HOTD application forms to make sure they are correctly completed. On receipt of an application, TDS caseworkers must check the following details:

• the application is on the correct Home Office file
• the applicant is the person that they claim to be
• the applicant has paid the correct fee
• the applicant has properly completed all sections of the application form (TD112 BRP)
• the applicant has submitted a passport, document of entry or travel document
• a parent or legal guardian has completed all relevant parts of section 7 of the TD112 BRP if the applicant is 17 years old or under
• sections 8 and 9 of the TD112 BRP are signed in black ink and within the boxes provided
• there are acceptable, suitably endorsed photographs of each person, and
• the applicant has provided a police lost property report when the application is for an HOTD to replace one that has been lost or stolen

For more information on when TDS will reject or refuse an HOTD application see related links:

Rejecting Home Office travel document applications

Refusing home office travel document applications.

This page explains the procedure for rejecting an application for a Home Office travel document (HOTD).

The travel documents section (TDS) caseworkers will reject an application for an HOTD if it is incomplete or incorrect. They will send standard letter ICD.0302 explaining this. An addressed label is also sent so that any reply is passed to the relevant caseworker. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure the application is complete when they return it to TDS.

TDS will usually reject an application only once. If an incomplete application is returned again, TDS will then consider it on all the available information.

TDS can reject HOTD applications for several reasons, for example if:

• personal details are missing
• the incorrect fee is submitted
• unacceptable photographs or countersignature are included
• the application form is not signed or is signed incorrectly

This page explains the procedure for refusing an application for a Home Office travel document (HOTD).

The travel documents section (TDS) receives many applications from people who do not qualify for HOTDs. If an application falls outside the published policy, and there are no exceptional circumstances to allow TDS to issue an HOTD, TDS caseworkers will refuse the application.

There is no right of appeal against the decision to refuse an HOTD application.

An applicant or their representative can write to TDS to ask them to reconsider their case if they feel that TDS unfairly refused their application or did not consider it properly. TDS executive officers (EOs) usually consider reconsideration requests.

TDS can only reconsider each refused application once. If an EO upholds the refusal decision, and the applicant still does not accept the refusal they must make a new application. The new application must include:

• a new HOTD application form (TD112 BRP)
• the relevant fee, and
• photographs

If the EO upholds the original refusal they must send the applicant or their representatives a letter fully explaining the decision.

If the EO decides that there are exceptional circumstances, or that the previous refusal was incorrect, they will issue an HOTD. The EO must update the relevant records with the change of decision.

Successful Home Office travel document applications and issuing documents

This page explains the procedure when a Home Office travel document (HOTD) application is successful.

The travel documents section (TDS) issues HOTDs to certain categories of people lawfully resident in the UK. For more information about who can apply for an HOTD, see related link: How to apply for a Home Office travel document.

If an application is successful, TDS will issue an HOTD and send it to the applicant or representative with any relevant accompanying letters.

Retaining national passports or other national travel documents

Applicants are not allowed to hold an HOTD at the same time as any national passport or other type of travel document. When TDS issue an HOTD they retain national passports for safekeeping.

For more information on when TDS will return a passport to the applicant, see related link: Impounding and withdrawing a Home Office travel document.

Handling non-national travel documents

If the applicant entered the UK on a non-national travel document, they must submit the original travel document when applying for an HOTD. An example of a non-national travel document is one issued by the Indian authorities to an Afghan national who was once resident in India.

When TDS issues an HOTD, TDS caseworkers must return the non-national travel document to the embassy or high commission of the issuing authorities with an explanatory letter (ICD.0320) and place a copy of the letter and the non-national travel document on the Home Office file.

How to change or replace a Home Office travel document

This section explains how a person can replace a Home Office travel document (HOTD) if it is lost, stolen, expired or incorrect.

A fee is payable unless a document is issued following an error by the travel documents section (TDS).

To obtain a new document the applicant must complete an application form, TD112 BRP. If there is an error in the details of the HOTD the holder must send TDS:

• the incorrect HOTD
• evidence of the correct details, and
• a letter explaining what the error is.

This part contains sections on:

• lost or stolen Home Office travel documents: this page explains how TDS deal with cases of lost or stolen HOTDs
• expired or full Home Office travel documents: this page explains how TDS deal with cases where an HOTD has expired or run out of available pages
• change of personal details: this page explains the policy for changes to names and dates of birth and how to record personal details changes in HOTDs

Lost or stolen Home Office travel documents

This page explains how the travel documents section (TDS) deal with cases of lost or stolen Home Office travel documents (HOTD).

If an HOTD is lost or stolen it is an extremely serious matter. The applicant must notify TDS and their nearest police station immediately. A police officer will provide confirmation that the loss or theft has been reported. The applicant must provide that confirmation to TDS when applying for a replacement document.

If the HOTD is lost or stolen in the UK, an applicant can apply for a replacement by completing application form TD112 BRP. Applications to replace lost or stolen HOTDs take longer to process because the circumstances need to be investigated.

If the HOTD is lost or stolen abroad, the applicant must report this to the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. It is not possible to apply for a replacement until the applicant is back in the UK.

If TDS caseworkers need further details of the loss, theft or damage, they must send the applicant a letter (ICD.0315) requesting further details. Common questions are:

• when was the HOTD lost, stolen or damaged?
• how was the HOTD lost, stolen, or damaged?
• where was the HOTD lost, stolen or damaged?
• when did you inform the police about this? Please provide the police report.
• why did you have your HOTD with you on the day it was lost or stolen?

TDS staff must consider all the information provided and take into account any previous losses.

In certain cases it may be appropriate to restrict the validity of a replacement HOTD. A senior caseworker must agree such cases before you issue the replacement HOTD.

Expired or full Home Office travel documents

This page explains how the travel documents section (TDS) deal with cases when a Home Office travel document (HOTD) has expired or has run out of available pages.

If an HOTD has expired or is full, the holder must apply for a new HOTD by completing application form TD112 BRP and paying the appropriate fee. An existing HOTD cannot be extended.

If the holder of an expired or full HOTD is not currently in the UK they must contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission for advice.

Change of personal details

This page explains the travel documents section’s (TDS) policy for changes to names and dates of birth and how to record personal details changes in Home Office travel documents (HOTDs).

It is Home Office policy not to change personal details from those the person originally provided on entry to the UK. TDS will issue HOTDs showing the same name and date of birth shown in the applicant’s passport or document of entry, or those given when the applicant first came to the UK.

If the applicant gives different details on their HOTD application form, TDS caseworkers must investigate the discrepancy and check if the Home Office has any record of the different personal details. More complex cases must be considered by a senior caseworker.

The following may apply:

• If a person does not want to include all their names, with the exception of their family name, you can exclude them. For example, if the applicant has three names but only wants to include two of them on the HOTD.
• An applicant cannot add new names, or change names, without a change of name deed poll, statutory declaration or original acceptable birth certificate. The applicant must provide original documents. TDS will not accept copies of documents. For example, if there is only evidence of two names, but the applicant wishes to include three names on the HOTD, they must provide documentary evidence.
• When there is a discrepancy in the date of birth given by the applicant in their HOTD application, TDS caseworkers may only accept an original acceptable birth certificate, national passport or national identity card as evidence.
• If another part of the Home Office has issued status documentation without sight of an acceptable birth certificate or other identity documentation, TDS will usually accept the details on the status papers.

Recording changes in HOTDs

When there is a change of name or a discrepancy in a date of birth, TDS can include an endorsement in the HOTD.

Below are some examples of these endorsements and when they are used.

Name change due to marriage

If the applicant submits the marriage certificate, a TDS caseworker will add the married name on the bio data page of the HOTD.

If the applicant does not submit their marriage certificate, a TDS caseworker will enter the maiden name on the bio data page and an endorsement can be added to reflect the married name.

Name change by deed poll, statutory declaration or adoption

If the applicant provides the original change of name deed poll, statutory declaration or adoption certificate, a TDS caseworker will add the new name on the bio data page of the HOTD. The old name will be shown in an endorsement, ‘Formerly known as [insert name], deed poll dated [insert date] seen.’

No evidence of a change of name

If the applicant provides no acceptable documentary evidence of a change of name, a TDS caseworker will use the name previously accepted for the bio data page of the HOTD. TDS will then add the endorsement: ‘Holder states correct name should be [insert name] but can provide no acceptable documentary evidence to support this.’

Date of birth discrepancy

If the applicant asks for a change to their date of birth which does not match the one on their passport, the document of entry or asylum questionnaire, they must provide one of the following as evidence:

• an original acceptable birth certificate
• a national passport, this may be different to the passport used to enter the UK
• a national identity card

A statutory declaration or deed poll cannot be used as evidence of a date of birth.

If the applicant does not provide acceptable evidence, a TDS caseworker will include the endorsement: ‘Holder states correct date of birth is [insert date of birth] but can provide no acceptable documentary evidence to support this.’

Impounding and withdrawing a Home Office travel document

This page explains the circumstances when Home Office travel documents (HOTDs) can be impounded or withdrawn.

HOTDs must be impounded or withdrawn from circulation by Border Force officers (BFO) or caseworkers in the following cases:

• There is evidence the holder has travelled to a country for which the HOTD is not valid. In these cases, caseworkers or BFOs must give or send the holder an appropriate letter explaining their HOTD is being impounded. Caseworkers or BFOs must forward the impounded HOTD to the travel documents section (TDS) with any evidence the holder has travelled to their country of origin or any other country the document is closed to. For TDS address, see related link.
• There is evidence the holder of a certificate of travel (COT) or stateless person’s document (SPD) also holds a passport or travel document issued by their own or any other national authorities.
• The holder of a convention travel document (CTD) is holding a passport at the same time. They are allowed to retain either the CTD or the passport. In these cases, caseworkers or BFOs must give or send the holder an appropriate letter explaining that their HOTD is being impounded. Caseworkers or BFOs must forward the impounded HOTD to TDS with any evidence that the holder has travelled to their country of origin or any other country the document is closed to.
• The BFO or caseworkers believe the holder is not the person who was issued the HOTD, they must send the impounded HOTD to TDS with images of the impostor and a copy of any BFO’s report.
• The holder is no longer entitled to hold that document. In these cases, caseworkers or BFOs must forward the impounded HOTD to TDS with a copy of any BFO’s report.

If the HOTD has been tampered with it must be sent to the national document forgery unit (NDFU). A report detailing the nature of the forgery must be sent to TDS. For TDS address, see related link.

Returning and exchanging HOTDs and national passports

An applicant can decide at any time they would prefer to hold their own national passport rather than their HOTD. The individual must send the HOTD to TDS before their passport can be returned.

The policy on dealing with such requests varies, depending on the document held and the status of the person.

Convention travel documents (CTD)

A person accepted as a refugee under the terms of the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees places that status at risk if they travel on their own national passport. TDS caseworkers must tell the individual about the potential risk before returning their passport and ask the individual to sign a declaration to show they understand this risk and are willing to give up their refugee status. This is letter ICD.0310. Once the individual has signed and returned the declaration, the CTD is copied to file and destroyed, and the passport returned to the holder by recorded delivery post.

Certificates of travel (COT) or certificates of identity (CID)

There are no restrictions for returning passports to holders of a CID or COT and the process is a simple exchange of documents. A TDS caseworker must copy the CID or COT to file before destroying it, and return the passport to the holder by recorded delivery post.

Holders of HOTDs who have become British citizens

When a person becomes a British citizen they no longer qualify for an HOTD. TDS must destroy the HOTD and, on request, must return any national passport previously kept by TDS to the holder by recorded delivery post.

This page explains who to contact for more help with a specific case regarding Home Office travel documents.

If you have read the relevant Immigration Rules and this guidance and still need more help with this category, you must first ask your senior caseworker or line manager.

If the question cannot be answered at that level, you may email travel documents section (TDS) senior caseworkers for guidance on the policy, see related link.

Changes to this guidance can only be made by the modernised guidance team (MGT). If you think the policy content needs amending you must contact TDS senior caseworkers, who will ask the MGT to update the guidance, if appropriate.

The MGT will accept direct feedback on broken links, missing information or the format, style and navigability of this guidance. You can send these using the link: Email: Modernised guidance team.

Information owner

This page tells you about this version of the Home Office travel documents guidance and who owns it.

Changes to this guidance can only be made by the modernised guidance team (MGT). If you think the policy content needs amending you must contact TDS senior caseworkers, see related link, who will ask the MGT to update the guidance, if appropriate.

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Expedite Requests

ALERT:  If you are a healthcare worker or a childcare worker

If you are a healthcare worker or a childcare worker

• Who has a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, initial application, which has been pending for over 90 days; OR
• Who has a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, renewal  application and whose Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expires within 30 days or less, or has already expired:

Call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) to request expedited processing based on your position as a healthcare worker or a childcare worker with an EAD application that meets the above criteria.

To determine whether you are a qualifying healthcare worker, see this  DHS advisory memorandum (“Healthcare/Public Health” section, pages 7-9) (PDF) .

To determine whether you are a qualifying childcare worker, see the  Standard Occupational Classification (SOC)  code 39-9011, which includes workers who “attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions” and “perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.” (Note that this definition does not include preschool teachers or teaching assistants.)

Be prepared to provide evidence of your profession or current or immediate prospective employment as a healthcare worker or a childcare worker and current valid immigration status. If the evidence you provide is not sufficient, we may not accommodate your request for expedited processing of your Form I-765.

You may request that USCIS expedite the adjudication of an application, petition, request, appeal, or motion that is under USCIS jurisdiction.

We consider all expedite requests on a case-by-case basis and generally require documentation to support such requests. The decision to expedite is within the sole discretion of USCIS. Expediting your case generally means that we would adjudicate your benefit ahead of others, including those who may have filed earlier, so we carefully weigh the urgency and merit of each expedite request.

Relevant criteria or circumstances that may be considered in determining whether to grant an expedite request include, but are not limited to, the below:

• Severe financial loss to a company or person, provided that the need for urgent action is not the result of the petitioner’s or applicant’s failure to timely file the benefit request or to timely respond to any requests for evidence;
• Emergencies or urgent humanitarian situations;
• Nonprofit organization (as designated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)) whose request is in furtherance of the cultural or social interests of the United States;
• Government interests, including cases identified by the government as urgent because they involve the public interest, public safety, national interest, or national security interests; and
• Clear USCIS error.

Not every circumstance that fits under the criteria or examples above will result in expedited processing. See more information below on expedite criteria and circumstances. For USCIS’  expedite policy guidance , see Volume 1 of the USCIS Policy Manual.

Note:   The processes and requirements for requesting expedited adjudication are different for some application types and circumstances. Refer to the chart in the Specific Procedures section of this page for more information about expedite requests related to:

• Appeals or motions
• Refugee status
• Petition for refugee/asylee relative
• Humanitarian parole
• T nonimmigrant status
• U nonimmigrant status
• Other benefit requests pending with offices outside the United States

A company can demonstrate that it would suffer a severe financial loss if it is at risk of failing, losing a critical contract, or required to lay off other employees.

Job loss may be sufficient to establish severe financial loss for a person, depending on the individual circumstances. The need to obtain employment authorization, standing alone, without evidence of other compelling factors, does not warrant expedited treatment.

Examples may include:

• A medical office that may suffer severe financial loss if a gap in a doctor’s employment authorization would require the medical practice to lay off its medical assistants.
• A person who would lose critical public benefits or services.

In the context of an expedite request, an emergency or urgent humanitarian situation is a pressing or critical circumstance related to human welfare. Human welfare means issues related to the well-being of a person or group. Examples include, but are not limited to, illness, disability, death of a family member or close friend, or extreme living conditions, such as those caused by natural catastrophes or armed conflict.

NOTE:  Certain benefit requests, such as asylum applications, refugee applications, and requests for humanitarian parole, by their nature involve urgent humanitarian situations. Therefore, filing a humanitarian-based benefit, standing alone, without evidence of other time-sensitive or compelling factors, generally may not warrant expedited treatment under this criterion.

Examples of emergencies or urgent humanitarian situations may include:

• A vulnerable person whose safety may be otherwise compromised.
• Healthcare workers who are needed during a pandemic.

Travel-Related Requests

USCIS considers expedited processing of an Application for Travel Document ( Form I-131 ) when there is a pressing or critical need for an applicant to travel outside the United States.

Expedited processing of a travel document may be warranted when there is an unexpected need to travel outside the United States for an unplanned event, such as for a funeral. Expedited processing of a travel document may also be warranted when there is a pressing or critical need to travel outside the United States for a planned event, but processing times prevent USCIS from issuing the travel document by the planned date of departure. When there is a request to expedite processing of a travel document for a planned event, we will consider whether the applicant timely filed  Form I-131 or timely responded to a request for evidence.

NOTE:  A benefit requestor’s desire to travel solely for vacation generally does not meet the definition of a pressing or critical need to travel.

We generally require documentation to support an expedite request. Examples of evidence that may support travel-related expedite requests are outlined in the following table.

Examples of a pressing or critical need to travel outside the United States may include:

• A requestor who has a pressing or critical need to travel outside the United States to obtain medical treatment in a limited amount of time.
• A requestor who has a pressing or critical need to travel outside the United States due to the death or grave illness of a family member or close friend.
• A requestor who applied for a travel document 5 months ago when they learned of the event, but their case remains pending, and they must travel for a pressing or critical professional, academic, or personal commitment, which is now in 45 days.

A nonprofit organization seeking to expedite a beneficiary’s benefit request must demonstrate an urgent need to expedite the case based on the beneficiary’s specific role within the nonprofit in furthering cultural or social interests (as opposed to the organization’s role in furthering social or cultural interests).

• A professional who is urgently needed for research related to a specific U.S. social interest.
• A university professor urgently needed to participate in a specific and imminent cultural program.
• A religious organization that urgently needs a beneficiary’s specific services and skill set to continue a vital social outreach program.

This includes cases identified as urgent by a federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local government of the United States because they involve public interest, public safety, national interest, or national security interests. The request must be made by a person who has authority to represent the agency or department, such as an official, manager, supervisor, or tribal leader, on the matter for which expedited treatment is being requested. The request must demonstrate that the interests are pressing and substantive.

Where a federal agency or department is able to state a federal government interest in accordance with these criteria, we generally defer to that federal agency or department’s assessment.

If the request relates to employment authorization, the request must demonstrate that the need for the applicant to be authorized to work is critical to the mission of the requesting agency or department, and goes beyond a general need to retain a particular worker or person.

• A noncitizen victim or witness who is cooperating with a federal, state, or local agency and needs employment authorization because the respective agency is seeking back pay or reinstatement in court proceedings.
• A noncitizen scientist whose contributions are needed by a government lab or grantee.

USCIS may consider an expedite request based on clear USCIS error when a requestor establishes an urgent need to correct the error.

An example may include:

• An applicant who receives an Employment Authorization Document with incorrect information that prevents them from being able to work may request a replacement document on an expedited basis if we caused the error.

You generally may request we expedite your case after you receive a receipt notice. (The process to request an expedite is different in some circumstances. See the Specific Procedures section below.)

Before submitting an expedite request, you should:

• Check current  case processing times to determine whether you need an expedite.
• Check your  case status online . If there is an action on your case pending with you, such as submitting biometrics or evidence, you should complete these actions before submitting an expedite request.
• Check whether  premium processing service is available. We will not consider expedite requests for petitions and applications where premium processing service is available, unless the petitioner is designated as a nonprofit organization by the IRS and filing for a beneficiary whose services are needed to further the cultural or social interests of the United States.

Please make only one expedite request to reduce duplicate efforts and help us use our resources for quicker processing. Multiple requests may delay USCIS’s ability to expedite processing.

Expedite Requests for Travel Documents

If you are requesting expedited processing of a  travel document , you generally need to apply for and obtain the document before you leave the United States. You should make your expedite request on your pending application at least 45 days before you plan to leave the United States. (If you must travel within the next 15 days, see the  Emergency Travel page.)

For most cases, you may request an expedite by contacting the  USCIS Contact Center or by asking Emma.  (You can access Emma by clicking on the Ask Emma icon on the top right of this page). You need to explain why you need expedited processing. You also generally need to provide your receipt number to the USCIS Contact Center so they can send your request to the office that has your application or petition. If you have a USCIS  online account and have access to secure messaging, you may select “expedite” as the reason for your inquiry and submit your request there.

You generally need to justify your expedite request with evidence. When communicating with the Contact Center, you will be asked about supporting documentation. You should be prepared to supply this to the office processing your case.

If you have a USCIS  online account , you should upload evidence through your online account to support your expedite request in addition to calling the USCIS Contact Center. If you send a secure message, we will ask you to confirm that you have uploaded evidence in your account. If we receive an expedite request without evidence to support it, we will send you instructions on how to submit the evidence.

Note: The processes and requirements to request expedited adjudication are different in some circumstances. Refer to the chart under Specific Procedures below for expedite requests related to:

• Appeals/Motions

Some programs and circumstances have their own processes and requirements for requesting expedited adjudication and may have different expedite criteria. You should follow the specific procedures referenced below for requesting an expedite in the following circumstances:

We receive a large number of expedite requests. We generally send a response to expedite requests that are submitted through the Contact Center. However, to increase efficiency in processing expedite requests, we generally do not provide justification for expedite decisions.

A decision on an expedite request is not an approval or a denial of your underlying benefit request. The expedite decision simply determines whether we will take your benefit request out of order and try to issue a decision (approval or denial) faster than the normal processing time. We cannot make a decision on your benefit request until all processing requirements have been completed.

Some circumstances may prolong or inhibit our ability to expedite certain benefit requests. Examples include, but are not limited to, when:

• The benefit requestor must perform a certain action or submit additional documentation or evidence related to their benefit request, such as attend a biometric services appointment, be interviewed, or complete any required   immigration medical examination ;
• There is a required background check that remains pending with a third-party agency;
• An application or petition requires an on-site inspection; or
• An application or petition depends on the adjudication of a principal’s application or petition.