Refugee Passport in the UK: What It Is and How to Apply

MSD Solicitors
4 days ago
6 min read

For many refugees living in the UK, travel is not a simple decision. It often starts with a very basic question that does not have an obvious answer: “Can I even leave the UK and come back?” From there, confusion builds quickly. People hear terms like refugee passport, travel document, certificate of travel, visa requirements, and suddenly something as normal as visiting family, attending a wedding, or travelling for medical reasons feels overwhelming.

Unlike British citizens, refugees cannot just apply for a standard passport. That is why the UK issues a specific document for refugees. But the rules around it are strict, the process is slow, and one misunderstanding can cause refusals, lost money, or serious travel problems.

What Is a Refugee Passport in the UK?

A refugee passport in the UK is officially referred to as a Refugee Travel Document. It is issued by the UK Home Office to people who have been granted refugee status or who entered the UK through refugee family reunion.

It exists because refugees are usually unable to safely use or renew a passport from their home country. Using a national passport can undermine refugee protection and, in some cases, place the individual or their family at risk.

The refugee travel document looks like a passport and functions like one for international travel, but it is not the same as a British passport. It does not grant citizenship, nor does it remove the immigration conditions attached to refugee status.

A refugee passport is also commonly referred to as the Blue Document. This is not an official legal term, but a widely used and recognised name based on the document’s blue cover. Refugees, airlines, border officials, and even visa authorities frequently use the term 'Blue Document' to refer to the UK Refugee Travel Document. In practice, the Blue Document and the Refugee Travel Document mean the same thing.

Who Is Eligible for a Refugee Travel Document or Refugee Passport?

Eligibility is clear-cut. You can apply if you're currently living in the UK and have been officially recognised as a refugee by the Home Office, or if you entered the UK on a family reunion visa linked to a recognised refugee.

Asylum seekers whose claims are still pending are not eligible to apply. People with humanitarian protection, discretionary leave, or other temporary visas are also not eligible for this document and must apply for a different type of travel document.

You must not hold a valid passport from your country of origin. If the Home Office believes you can safely obtain or use your national passport, your application is likely to be refused.

How Long Does a Refugee Passport Last?

The validity of the refugee travel document depends entirely on your immigration status.

If you hold Indefinite Leave to Remain, the document is usually issued for up to ten years for adults and five years for children. If you have a limited refugee leave, the document will expire on the same date as your permission to stay in the UK.

This is critical. Many refusals occur because applicants apply when their leave is about to expire. If you have less than six months of leave remaining, you should extend your status before applying for a travel document.

From 2025 to 2026, the UK will have fully shifted toward a digital immigration status through the eVisa system. Physical Biometric Residence Permits are no longer used as proof of immigration status. Refugees now prove their right to live in the UK through an online eVisa, while the refugee travel document remains the physical document used specifically for international travel. This means refugees rely on both systems together: the eVisa for UK status and the Blue Document for crossing borders.

Where You Can and Cannot Travel With A UK Refugee Passport?

When returning to the UK, immigration officers verify your status digitally through your eVisa, while the refugee travel document is used as your physical travel document.

You cannot use a refugee travel document to travel to your country of origin or any country from which you sought asylum. This restriction is printed directly into the document, and violating it can put your refugee status at risk.

You can travel to most other countries, but entry is not automatic. A refugee travel document does not replace a visa. Many countries require visas for refugees, even when they allow visa-free entry for British passport holders.

Before travelling, you must always check whether your destination accepts refugee travel documents and whether a visa is required. This also applies to transit countries. Additionally, you don’t require a Visa to be able to return to the UK if your refugee travel document and immigration status are valid.

Steps to Apply Successfully for a UK Refugee Passport

Step One: Confirm Your Immigration Status

Check your Home Office decision letter or digital status carefully. Most applicants for the UK refugee passport are rejected because they have submitted the wrong documents. Since the move to eVisas, it is especially important to ensure your digital immigration record is accurate before applying for a refugee travel document.

For example, a refugee incorrectly applied for a Certificate of Travel and forfeited the application fee.

Step Two: Apply Online With Absolute Accuracy

The application is completed online, and all details must match Home Office records exactly.

For example, a mismatch in the spelling of names between the asylum decision letter and the application caused a lengthy delay.

Step Three: Send Only the Required Originals

After applying, you will be told which documents to send. Do not send extras and always keep copies.

For example, applicants who sent unnecessary documents experienced confusion and processing delays.

Step Four: Never Book Travel Early

You should only make travel plans once the Blue Document has been physically received, as the eVisa alone cannot be used for international travel. Processing can take up to fourteen weeks. Travel should only be booked after the document is received.

For example, several applicants lost flight costs due to delays beyond their expectations.

Step Five: Plan Visas Separately and Early

Each destination has its own rules. Apply for visas well in advance using your refugee travel document.

For example, travellers have been refused boarding for incorrectly assuming visa-free travel.

Real Life Case Studies in the UK Refugee Passport

Case Study One: Smooth Family Travel
A refugee with settled status applied for travel documents for himself and his children. Applications were approved within ten weeks. The family travelled to Europe and returned without issue.
Case Study Two: Refusal Due to Timing
A refugee applied while their leave had only three months remaining. The application was refused. After extending their status, the second application was approved.
Case Study Three: Lost Document Abroad
A refugee lost their travel document while overseas. They applied for a temporary travel visa, returned to the UK, and then successfully applied for a replacement document.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them Before Applying for a UK Refugee Passport

Applying under the wrong category
Booking flights before approval
Assuming visa-free travel
Applying with insufficient leave remaining
Sending incorrect or unnecessary documents

Most refusals and travel problems come from misunderstanding rather than ineligibility.

Final Verdict

The UK refugee passport is designed to restore dignity and freedom of movement while preserving protection, and when used correctly, it allows you to travel as a refugee. However, most issues arise not because people are ineligible, but because the process is misunderstood. Careful preparation, realistic timelines, and respect for visa rules make all the difference.

Handled properly, the refugee travel document does exactly what it is meant to do: enable refugees to move safely without risking their future in the UK.