Travel Document for Canadian Refugees
Refugees in Canada may receive travel documents. However, you must meet the requirements. Also, Canada may issue a certificate of identity for particular permanent residents in Canada.
Who qualifies for a refugee travel document?
To qualify for a refugee travel document, you must be a protected person. Unfortunately, refugee claimants do not qualify. Also, you may apply for a certificate of identity if,
- You are a permanent resident of Canada, but not a protected person, and
- You cannot obtain a passport from another country.
What does a travel document look like?
Source: Canada.ca
A travel document is similar to a Canadian passport. However, the cover looks different. Also, your nationality will not be Canadian. Therefore, you may need visas to travel to those countries that Canadians are visa-exempt. Moreover, you may not travel to the country that you sought protection. For example, if you are from Afghanistan, you may not use a refugee travel document to visit that country.
How to apply for a travel document?
If you are a protected person and live inside Canada, you must follow these steps. Unfortunately, you cannot apply if you are outside Canada.
- Complete the application form. Of course, the form is different for adults and children.
- Gather all the documents according to Canada.ca:
- a photocopy of your proof of immigration status in Canada
- a document to support your identity
- It can be either
- the original document or
- a photocopy of it signed by your guarantor
- It can be either
- any valid passport or travel document issued in your name
- two identical passport photos
- On the back of one of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
- the photographer must write the complete address of their studio and the date of the photo
- They can handwrite this or use a stamp.
- Stick-on labels are not accepted.
- your guarantor must sign it and write, “I certify this to be a true likeness of (your name).”
- the photographer must write the complete address of their studio and the date of the photo
- On the back of one of the passport photos, you must have all of the following:
- You may need to provide extra documents if any of the following applies to you:
- replacing a stolen, damaged, or lost document
- changing your name
- reflecting sex change in your travel document
- You need a guarantor and two references to include in your application package.
- Pay the necessary fees and include the receipt in your package.
- Mail the package to the appropriate address.
Of course, include any documents that could assist officers in processing your application.
Where to mail the application package
When you have a complete application package, mail it to one of the following addresses. However, these addresses are subject to change. Make sure to double-check them.
| Courier address Centralized Network – Certificate of Identity Section Place du Centre, Commercial Level 2 200 Promenade du Portage Gatineau, QC J8X 4B7 |
Mailing address (non-courier) OSC PPT-COI PO Box 8783 STN T CSC Ottawa, ON K1G 5G8 |
Let us help!
We can help you with your refugee travel document application. Please fill out the following form to contact us. Alternatively, please book a consultation session with me. Of course, you may also fill out our refugee form if you are inside Canada and intend to file for asylum.
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Would you please fill out our free assessment form if you wish to visit or move to Canada? We will review it for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal immigration advice from a licensed practitioner.
Al Parsai, LLM, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Adjunct Professor – Queen’s University – Faculty of Law
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
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