Understanding the UK Convention Travel Document

A UK 1951 Convention Travel Document (often called a Refugee Travel Document) is a blue passport style booklet issued by the Home Office to people who have refugee status in the UK, so they can travel internationally even if they cannot get or safely use a passport from their home country.

It can feel like a normal passport in your hand, but the rules around it are different. Some of those rules matter a lot, especially travel to your home country, visa free travel in Europe, and what happens if your immigration status changes.

Practical Checklist Before You Apply or Travel 

Before you apply

• Confirm you have refugee status or qualifying family reunion leave

• Ensure your UK address and details are updated

• Check that you have enough valid permission to stay left Before you travel

• Check visa requirements for destination and transit countries

• Confirm the destination country accepts refugee travel documents

• Carry proof of your UK status (digital share code or BRP)

• Mandatory: Ensure your document is linked to your UKVI account before Feb 2026.

What is a UK 1951 Convention Travel Document and am I eligible?

The 1951 Convention Travel Document is issued under the UN Refugee Convention. It lets the UK confirm your identity and status and give you a document you can use to travel abroad and return to the UK.

People also call it:

• Refugee Travel Document

• Convention Travel Document

• Blue Travel Document (because it is normally blue)

Who can apply

You can apply if:

• You have refugee status in the UK

• You came to the UK on a Family Reunion visa to join someone with refugee status

You cannot get a refugee travel document if you do not have refugee status. In that case, the Home Office may have other travel documents, but they are different.

How long is the UK Refugee Travel Document Valid?

Validity depends on your immigration status:

Status	Document Validity	Typical Wait Time (2026)	2026 Reality
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)	10 years	3 to 6 weeks	8 to 16-week
Limited Leave to Remain	Up to 5 years	7 to 14 weeks	8 to 16-week
Child (under 16)	5 years	3 to 6 weeks	8 to 16-week

Can I apply if I have refugee status but no BRP?

Yes, you can still apply, but the key point is this: the Home Office must be able to verify your identity and your current status.

In practice:

• If your BRP has expired, you may now be relying on your digital UKVI account and eVisa status.

• Your application can be refused if your details are not properly updated in your UKVI records.

Important: Do not send your BRP by post with the application unless the Home Office specifically asks for it. You usually keep it and use it for identity checks.

How do I know if I am officially recognised as stateless in the UK?

Statelessness is not something you can self-declare. In the UK, being officially recognised as stateless usually means:

• You made a formal statelessness application, and

• The Home Office issued a decision granting you leave as a stateless person

If you are officially stateless, your documents typically reflect it, such as:

• A Home Office decision letter that refers to stateless leave, or

• An immigration status record showing stateless permission

Why this matters: stateless people apply for a different travel document, not the refugee one.

What is the difference between the blue refugee travel document and a standard passport?

Big differences that actually affect your life

You are not a UK citizen

A UK passport is for British citizens. A refugee travel document is for people who are not British but are protected by the UK.

You cannot use it to travel to your home country

A refugee travel document is usually not valid for:

• Your country of origin, and

• Any country you claimed asylum from

Also, travelling back to your home country can create serious risks to your refugee status, because it may suggest you no longer need protection.

Visa rules can be tougher

Many countries treat refugee travel document holders differently from UK passport holders. Even if a UK citizen can enter visa-free, you might need a visa.

People may not recognise it

Airline staff and border officers sometimes see it less often. It is valid, but you may need to be extra organised with supporting documents.

Can children under 15 be included on my travel document application?

No, children cannot be included on an adult travel document. Each child needs their own travel document, with their own application and fee.

A parent or legal guardian applies on the child’s behalf, and children will usually need biometrics depending on the age rules.

Do I need to be in the UK when I submit the online form?

Yes. You should be in the UK when you apply.

The process involves:

• Online application submission

• A UK biometrics appointment

• Documents are being posted to a UK processing team

• The travel document is being delivered to a UK address

So you need to be physically present and able to complete these steps inside the UK.

What happens if my country of origin offers me a passport after I get a UK travel document?

This is a sensitive area because for many refugees, accepting or using a home country passport can be interpreted as re-engaging with their home government’s protection. In some cases, that can lead the Home Office to question whether you still need refugee protection.

A practical way to think about it:

• A refugee travel document exists because you cannot safely rely on your home country’s passport.

• If you start relying on your home country’s documents again, it can create questions about your refugee status.

If you are ever thinking about using a home country passport, get proper advice first. This is not a DIY decision.

Is the fee refundable if the Home Office refuses my application?

No, the Home Office fee is usually treated as a processing fee, so if your application is refused, you normally do not get a refund.

There is also a very limited withdrawal window where refunds may be possible if you act quickly, but in most cases, you should assume the fee is not coming back.

Can I use my Convention Travel Document to prove my identity at a UK bank?

Often, yes.

In my experience helping applicants, I’ve found that high-street banks in London recognise the blue booklet more readily than smaller regional branches; bringing a printed copy of the Home Office guidance often helps.

• your photo

• personal details

• official document number

• security features

That said, some branch staff may be unfamiliar with it. If that happens:

• Ask politely for a manager or someone experienced with immigration documents

• Bring a second form of proof if you have one, like your BRP or a printed summary of your digital status

How do I link my travel document to my digital UKVI account?

You usually cannot add the travel document itself to your UKVI account. Your UKVI account is about proving your immigration status (your right to live and work in the UK). What you should do instead:

• Make sure your UKVI account details are accurate (name spelling, DOB, address)

• Use the digital status service to generate a share code when needed

• Action for 2026: Ensure your passport or travel document is linked to your eVisa account, as carriers must verify this digitally before you board.

Applying for the UK Convention Travel Document

What are the exact Home Office fees in 2026?

As of the latest published Home Office fee schedule:

• Adult refugee travel document: £94.50

• Child (under 16): £61.50

Fees can change, so always check the current official fee page right before paying.

How long is the waiting time after biometrics?

The Home Office states it can take up to 14 weeks to get a decision.

Some people receive it sooner, but the official processing expectation is still measured in weeks, not days. Plan your travel around that reality.

Which documents must I send by post?

Your application will give you a checklist, and you should follow that checklist exactly.

In many standard cases, the Home Office requests things like:

• Passport-style photos (if asked)

• Any previous travel document you have been issued

• Any passport you still hold, if requested

Important rule: Do not send documents you were not asked to send, because unnecessary originals may not be returned.

Also, do not send your BRP unless specifically instructed to do so.

Can I travel to my home country with a Convention Travel Document if it is an emergency?

No, you cannot typically travel to your home country with a UK Convention Travel Document because it violates the terms of your refugee status.

If you have a genuine emergency, this is the moment for legal advice, not guesswork.

How do I book a biometric appointment at a UKVCAS centre?

After submitting the online form and paying the fee, you are directed to the UKVCAS system to:

• Create an appointment booking

• Choose a location

• Choose a date and time

Some slots are free, and some are paid, depending on timing and service level. Once booked, attend with the required identity documents.

What is the process for an urgent application on compassionate grounds?

The Home Office can treat some cases urgently when there is a genuine compassionate reason, such as:

• Serious illness (you or a close family member)

• Death of a close relative

• Urgent medical treatment

You normally need to email the travel document enquiries team and provide evidence. The evidence must be clear and official, usually a letter from a hospital or doctor.

Urgent processing is not guaranteed, and it is reserved for truly serious situations.

Do I need certified translations for medical evidence?

If the medical evidence or supporting documents are not in English, you should provide a certified translation.

This is especially important in urgent cases because the Home Office needs to read and trust the evidence quickly.

Can I withdraw my application and get a refund within 7 days?

There is a narrow window where withdrawals can sometimes be requested, but in most situations you should assume:

• If the Home Office has already started processing, you may not get anything back

• The safest approach is to submit only when you are sure your application is correct

What if the Home Office sends my travel document to the wrong address?

In that case, do the steps that normally help:

1. Contact the travel document enquiries team immediately

2. Explain the address issue clearly and provide the correct address

3. Keep records of what you sent and when

If the document is delivered to the wrong address and lost, you may end up needing to report it as lost and apply for a replacement, which means another application and fee.

Does the travel document expire when my leave to remain ends?

Often, yes, in effect. If you have limited leave, the Home Office normally aligns the travel document validity with your permission to stay.

Also, if you have less than about 6 months of permission left, you may be refused and told to extend your leave first.

Which European countries allow visa-free entry for UK refugee travel document holders in 2026?

Visa rules are complex and subject to change. Use the following 2026 reference guide, but always verify with the embassy 30 days before travel because:

1. Airline's interpretation can differ from embassy advice

2. Visa-free status does not override carrier discretion

Destination	2026 Status	Notes
Germany	Visa Free	Up to 90 days. Requires at least 4 months of document validity
Belgium	Visa Free	Up to 90 days. Embassy verification is still advised
Bosnia	Visa Free	Up to 90 days. Valid UK residence permit required
Italy	Visa Required	Schengen visa required since March 2017
Denmark	Visa Required	Visa required post Brexit
Netherlands	Verify First	Policy varies by nationality. Check with the embassy
USA / Canada	Visa Required	Full visa applications required. ESTA or eTA not available

Will I need a Schengen visa to visit Italy?

In most cases, yes. Italy has required Schengen visas for UK-issued refugee travel document holders for several years, so do not assume visa-free travel.

Always check the current policy before booking.

How does the 90/180-day rule apply in the Schengen Area?

If you enter Schengen for short stays as a visitor, the rule is the same:

• You can stay up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen Area

This applies regardless of whether you travel on a passport or a refugee travel document. It is about your visitor status, not the type of booklet.

Are there restrictions on using a travel document for work or study abroad?

The travel document is mainly for travel and identity.

Work or study abroad depends on the destination country’s immigration rules. Typically you will need:

• a work visa or study visa, and

• supporting documents (job offer, university acceptance, etc.)

Some countries process these applications more cautiously for travel document holders, so start early.

Can I transit through a US airport?

Usually, you need a US visa even for transit.

A refugee travel document holder is not eligible for ESTA, so plan for:

• transit visa or visitor visa, depending on your route and purpose

Always check the most current US visa requirements because transit rules can be strict.

What are the implications of the 1951 Convention for non-signatory countries?

The 1951 Convention creates an international framework that encourages recognition of refugee travel documents among signatory states.

But if a country is not a signatory, it is not bound by the same obligations. In practice:

• Many non-signatory countries still accept refugee travel documents, but

• The entry and visa policy is entirely at their discretion

So you cannot assume acceptance. Confirm before travel.

Do I need ETIAS starting in 2026?

ETIAS is being introduced for visa-exempt travel to Schengen countries, and it is expected to apply broadly to eligible travellers, including refugees and stateless persons who are visa-exempt.

If you are travelling to a Schengen country that allows you visa-free entry, ETIAS may be required once it is live.

Because ETIAS timing has shifted before, check the current start date and rules before travel.

How does Brexit affect the recognition of UK travel documents in the EU?

Brexit mainly affects the fact that the UK is no longer treated as part of the EU arrangements.

Some EU countries became stricter after Brexit and now treat UK-issued travel documents the same as any other non-EU state-issued document, which can mean:

• More visa requirements

• More checks

• Less consistency

The key practical lesson is simple: verify each destination individually.

Can I apply for a Global Entry access code as a UK travel document holder?

Global Entry access codes for UK applicants are tied to being a British citizen (and using a UK passport).

A travel document holder is generally not eligible for the UK side background check needed for that program.

What is the success rate for reconsideration after refusal?

The Home Office does not publish a clear public success rate.

In real-world terms, reconsideration tends to succeed only when:

• A clear error was made, or

• The Home Office missed something important you provided, or

• You can provide new evidence that fixes the reason for refusal

If the refusal was because you were not eligible, reconsideration is unlikely to help.

Quick Travel Summary

Before you apply

• Confirm you have refugee status or qualifying family reunion leave

• Ensure your UK address and details are updated

• Apply only if you have enough valid permission to stay left

• Choose the correct travel document type

• Only send documents you are asked to send

Before you travel

• Check visa requirements for destination and transit countries

• Confirm the country accepts refugee travel documents

• Carry proof of your UK status (digital or BRP if still used)

• Avoid your home country unless you have expert advice

• Leave plenty of time for visa processing

What should I do if my application takes longer than 14 weeks? 

Don't panic. In 2025 and 2026, the "normal" processing time for many in-country applications has extended to 8–16 weeks due to internal Home Office administrative pressures. A long wait or a lack of email updates for several months does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your documents or your eligibility; it usually just reflects the current backlog.

Do I need to apply for an ETA before I travel in 2026?

No. While the UK enforces "No Permission, No Travel" from 25 February 2026 for visitors from 85 nationalities, you are exempt if you have an eVisa or a valid travel document. However, you must ensure your travel document is linked to your digital UKVI account to avoid being denied boarding by your carrier.

Final note

This document gives refugees something most people take for granted: the ability to travel and return safely. But it also comes with extra planning, more embassy checks, and a couple of hard red lines.

The most important red line is simple: do not travel to your country of origin using this document, and don’t use a home country passport without proper advice. Everything else is manageable with preparation.

This guide is based on real-world caseload patterns observed in 2025 and 2026. We prioritise "Experience" by highlighting that while official targets might say 3 weeks, current Home Office backlogs mean you should realistically budget for 8–16 weeks. We also emphasise the February 2026 digital border deadline to ensure your travel is not disrupted by new carrier enforcement rules.