Apply for a travel document for non-Canadians: After you apply
Refugee travel document and certificate of identity services are now available
Find out how to apply for regular or urgent service.
If you already applied and now need a travel document urgently, contact us.
Processing your application
We’re working to deliver travel document services as quickly as we can. Due to high volumes, processing times may be longer than usual.
If your application is incomplete, we’ll return it to you.
If we start processing your application, you will not get a full refund if
- you cancel your application
- you do not respond to our requests for more information or documents
You need to request a refund if
- you paid your fees online
- we returned your application to you because it’s incomplete and you do not resubmit the application
If we refuse your application
You won’t get the full service fee back. We only refund the consular fee. We do this automatically.
If we approve your application
Your travel document and your original documents will be mailed to you. They may be in 2 separate packages.
Contact us to update your mailing address if you
- haven’t received your travel document and
- are moving within 30 days of submitting your application
If you have a community mailbox, make sure you check it before you contact us about your application.
After getting your travel document
When you receive your travel document, you need to do the following:
1. Make sure the information is accurate
Make sure the information in the travel document is accurate, especially your personal information. If there are any errors, contact us immediately.
2. Sign your travel document
You must sign your travel document in ink in the signature block on page 3.
If you don’t write, you can leave the signature block blank if
- you submitted a medical letter with your application explaining that you don’t write
- we added a note on page 3 of your travel document
Children’s travel documents
Children under 16 years of age do not sign the travel document. Parents or guardians must never sign a child’s travel document. The signature block on page 3 should be left blank.
3. Complete the address and emergency contact information section on page 4
Make sure you write your current address on your travel document.
For your emergency contact, we recommend you pick someone who does not normally travel with you.
If your address or emergency contact changes
- Cross out what is there and write the new information in the space above.
- Do not use correction fluid (Wite-Out®, Liquid Paper®, Tipp-Ex®) on your travel document.
- If there isn’t enough space on page 4, write your new address on a separate piece of paper and insert it into your travel document.
- Make sure you only slide the piece of paper into your travel document.
- Do not glue or staple the piece of paper to your travel document.
- This can cause problems if you try to use it when travelling.
Page details
- Date modified: