Refugee travel document (RTD) – Refugees and protected persons
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Protected persons can use a refugee travel document (RTD), issued by the Passport Program at IRCC, to exit and re-enter Canada. A protected person who does not possess a valid passport or travel document from another country and who intends to travel outside Canada must obtain an RTD before leaving Canada by submitting an Adult Travel Document Application (PPTC 190) (PDF, 1.64 MB) or a Child Travel Document Application (PPTC 192) (PDF, 1.76 MB).
The application must be accompanied by one of the following:
- a Notice of Decision letter from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)
- a Confirmation of Permanent Residence
- a Verification of Status (VOS) Document issued by IRCC
The RTD is valid for travel to all countries except the country of persecution. Travellers must return to Canada prior to the expiry date indicated on the RTD and, at that time, they should have the RTD in their possession.
When applying for an RTD, if you are in possession of a valid national passport issued by your country of alleged persecution, you will be required to surrender the valid national passport in exchange for the RTD.
You are allowed to retrieve your national passport, valid or expired, under the following conditions:
- when you obtain Canadian citizenship;
- up to two years after the national passport is expired; or
- at any time you require it, upon return of your RTD (valid or expired) to the Passport Program.
Unclaimed national passports will be destroyed two years after they expire. If there is a valid visa in your expired national passport, the national passport will remain in safekeeping until the visa is also expired, and then the national passport will be destroyed.
If a traveller is unable to produce an RTD because it was lost or stolen while they were outside Canada, the officer may issue a temporary resident permit (TRP) to allow re entry to Canada. Prior to issuing a permit, officers should question the applicant regarding the loss or theft of the RTD and be satisfied that the circumstances are genuine.