Travel documents for refugees

Introduction

A travel document allows people living in Ireland who cannot get a passport to travel outside Ireland. People who have been declared a refugee are entitled to a 1951 Convention Travel Document.

You may also be able to get a travel document if you have subsidiary protection status or leave to remain, and you cannot get a national passport from your country of nationality.

Travel documents are valid for a maximum of 3 years.

Who can get a travel document?

You may be eligible for a travel document if you:

  • Have been declared a refugee
  • Have been granted Subsidiary Protection status
  • Have been granted permission to live in Ireland following a request by the United National High Commissioner for Refugees (a programme refugee)
  • Have been declared stateless under the New York Convention of 1954
  • You are the family member of any of the above
  • Have permission to remain and need to travel because of an emergency

Refugees

If you have been declared a refugee following an application for international protection, or you came to Ireland as a programme refugee, you can get a travel document.

If you were declared a refugee following an application for international protection, you can get a refugee travel document. It says “Convention of 28 July 1951” on the front cover. It is sometimes called a ‘1951 Convention Travel Document’. You can travel to most countries in the EU without a visa, and stay for up to 90 days using this travel document. You should check with the embassy of the country where you plan to travel.

Programme refugees cannot get a 1951 Convention Travel Document. Instead, you can apply for a regular travel document.

People with subsidiary protection status

If you were granted subsidiary protection following an application for international protection, ISD may give you a travel document if you cannot get a passport from your country of nationality.

This travel document is valid for up to 3 years (or until your residency is due for renewal). You generally need a visa to enter other countries. You should check with the embassy of the country where you to plan to travel.

Family members

You may get a travel document if you are a family member of someone with refugee or subsidiary protection status. You must show that you have tried to get a passport or travel document from your country of nationality.

Your children need their own travel documents.

People with leave to remain or other residency status

ISD can issue a travel document to other residents, but only in exceptional circumstances, and where you cannot get a passport from your country of nationality. For example, if you have to travel abroad for urgent medical treatment and you are unable to get a passport, ISD may issue a travel document.

You should note that travel documents take 16 weeks or more to process.

Travelling to Ireland with a ‘convention’ travel document

Since 19 July 2022, if you have a refugee travel document issued by a country outside Ireland, you must apply for a visa to enter Ireland.

How to apply for a travel document

You can apply for a travel document online for a fee of €55.

You can also apply by post using the travel document application paper form (pdf). If you apply by post you should include the following with your completed application:

  • 4 passport-sized photographs, 2 of which are signed by a member of An Garda Síochána- check the photographic requirements for a travel document (pdf).
  • €55 fee - you can pay the fee by bank draft or postal order, made payable to the Department of Justice.
  • Passport or national identity card
  • Permission letter allowing you to remain in Ireland

Minors will also need:

  • Birth certificate (if applicable)
  • A letter from the minor’s school or GP, confirming that they go to school
  • One of the minor’s passport-sized photos should be signed by their school or GP

If the applicant is not in Ireland (for example, where family reunification has been granted), you can leave the Garda sections blank and send the completed form to the ISD Travel Document Unit. They will send the completed form to the nearest embassy or Irish representative to have the rest of the form completed and witnessed.

If your application is successful your travel document will be sent to you by registered post. If your application is refused you will be informed in writing. You are advised not to make any travel arrangements until you receive your travel document.

Further information

You can find information about travel documents on the website of the Irish Immigration Service Delivery.

Travel Document Unit

Ministerial Decisions Unit

Repatriation Division
Immigration Services Delivery
13/14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
Ireland

Re-entry Visa Processing Office

Department of Justice

Immigration Service Delivery
13/14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
Ireland

Opening Hours: 8.30am - 1:30pm Mon-Fri (excluding public holidays)
Page edited: 2 January 2024