Travel Freedom For Uk Refugees: What's The Reality?

Refugees in the UK are allowed to travel abroad, but they need to have the right documents. Refugees can apply for a Refugee Travel Document, also known as a Blue Passport, which is issued in accordance with the 1951 United Nations Convention in relation to the Status of Refugees (Article 28). This document allows refugees to travel visa-free to many countries, but not all, within the Schengen Zone. It's important to note that some countries, like Italy and Turkey, require holders of Refugee Travel Documents to obtain a visa before travelling. Additionally, the validity period of the travel document may impact entry into certain countries. Refugees should always carry their valid UK residence permit and travel document when travelling. Before planning a trip, refugees can contact the embassy of their destination country to confirm visa requirements and the recognition of their travel documents.

Travel documents for refugees

If you have refugee status in the UK, you can apply for a refugee travel document to travel outside the UK. This is a special blue travel document known as a Convention travel document, which is equivalent to a passport. This document is available to those who have been granted refugee status under the Refugee Convention. It enables them to travel internationally to other countries that subscribe to the Convention, although they may still need to obtain a visa for their destination country.

The Convention travel document allows refugees to avoid any further contact with the country they have fled from. The Home Office warns that "a person accepted as a refugee under the terms of the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees places that status at risk if they travel on their own national passport". The Convention travel document will be issued with an endorsement forbidding travel to the refugee's country of origin.

To apply for a refugee travel document, you must be living in the UK with permission to stay as a refugee, or have come to the UK on a family reunion visa to join someone with refugee status. You must be in the UK when you apply and should not book any travel until you receive your travel document. The document is usually valid for up to 10 years for those settled in the UK, and up to 5 years for those under 15.

The cost of a refugee travel document is £82 for adults (free if you were born before 1 September 1929) and £53 for children aged 15 or under.

Before travelling, it is important to check which documents you need and whether the country you are visiting accepts refugee travel documents and/or requires a visa for entry.

Travel restrictions for refugees

If you have been granted refugee status in the UK, you can apply for a Refugee Travel Document, issued in accordance with the 1951 United Nations Convention in relation to the Status of Refugees (Article 28). This document allows you to travel to many countries visa-free, but not all. It is important to note that each country has its own travel restrictions and requirements, so it is essential to check the specific requirements of your destination country before making any travel plans.

When travelling, you must carry your valid UK residence permit, confirming your refugee status, along with your Refugee Travel Document. Some countries may not allow entry if your travel document has less than six months of validity remaining. Additionally, certain countries, like Turkey, require holders of Refugee Travel Documents to apply for a visa to their consulate before travelling and may require at least one year of validity on the travel document.

If you are a refugee in Germany, you will typically be issued a passport replacement document ("Passersatzpapier"), which exists in three forms:

• The travel document for refugees ("Blue Passport")
• The travel document for stateless persons ("Grey Passport")
• The travel document for foreigners ("Grey Passport")

With the "Blue Passport", you can travel to most countries without a visa. However, for countries that require a visa, you may need to contact their embassy to determine if they recognise your travel document and can issue you a visa.

If you have the "Grey Passport", you can travel visa-free to all the Schengen States for up to three months. However, for non-Schengen countries, you will likely need a visa, and not all countries recognise this document as valid.

It is important to note that travelling to your home country while holding subsidiary protection or a national ban on deportation could result in losing your residence permit in Germany. The immigration authorities could initiate a revocation procedure, leading to the loss of your protection and right of residence.

Visa requirements for refugees

Refugees in the UK can apply for a travel document to travel outside the UK. This is a document equivalent to a passport, and it is issued to those who have been granted refugee status under the Refugee Convention. This enables them to travel internationally to other countries that subscribe to the Convention, although they may still be subject to any visa requirements those countries may have.

The UK government issues two types of travel documents: a blue travel document known as a Convention travel document, and a black travel document called a Certificate of Travel. The former is issued to those with refugee status, while the latter is for those with humanitarian protection.

To obtain a Convention travel document, refugees must be in the UK and have been granted refugee status. This status is granted to asylum seekers who meet the requirements outlined in the 1951 Refugee Convention, including having a well-founded fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, or political opinion.

The Convention travel document allows refugees to travel to other countries that are signatories to the Refugee Convention without having to use their original national passport. However, it is important to note that this document is not a substitute for a visa, and refugees may still need to obtain a visa to enter certain countries.

On the other hand, those with humanitarian protection will need to rely on their national passport or apply for a Certificate of Travel if they cannot obtain a passport from their country of origin. The Certificate of Travel is difficult to obtain and is not widely accepted by other countries, making international travel challenging for those with humanitarian protection status.

Additionally, refugees who wish to travel through the UK en route to another country may need a visa, depending on their nationality and the specifics of their journey. This is known as a transit visa, and the requirements vary depending on whether the transit is 'airside' or 'landside'.

In summary, while refugees in the UK can apply for travel documents to facilitate international travel, they may still need to obtain visas depending on their destination and the nature of their journey. The type of travel document they hold can also impact their ability to travel freely, with Convention travel documents offering greater mobility than Certificates of Travel.

Refugee status and humanitarian protection

If you have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK, you may be able to travel abroad. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, you must be in the UK when you apply for a travel document. Secondly, your country's national authorities must not be able to give you a new passport, or you must have permission to stay in the UK as a refugee or have been granted humanitarian protection.

If you meet the above criteria, you can apply for a travel document to go outside the UK. This is a substitute passport that will allow you to travel to countries that recognise it. It is important to note that not all countries accept this type of travel document, so it is essential to check with the embassy of your destination country before making any travel plans.

If you have been granted refugee status in the UK, you are eligible to apply for a Refugee Travel Document, issued under the 1951 United Nations Convention in relation to the Status of Refugees (Article 28). This document allows you to travel visa-free to many countries within the Schengen Zone, but not all. It is important to check the latest visa requirements before travelling, as some countries, like Italy, have recently changed their policies. Additionally, always carry your valid UK residence permit confirming your refugee status along with your travel document.

If you have been granted humanitarian protection in the UK, you will not be able to apply for a Refugee Travel Document. Instead, you will need to rely on your national passport or apply for a Certificate of Travel, which can be difficult to obtain. The Certificate of Travel has limited acceptance, so it is essential to check which countries recognise it before planning your trip.

Whether you have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection, it is crucial to be aware of the potential risks of travelling to your home country. If the UK authorities become aware of your trip, they may initiate a revocation procedure, and you could lose your protection and right of residence in the UK.

Losing refugee status

Refugee status in the UK is granted to those who meet the requirements of paragraph 334 of the Immigration Rules. This includes being physically present in the United Kingdom or at a port of entry, being a refugee as per the 1951 Refugee Convention, not being a danger to the UK's security, and not having a criminal record.

Refugee status in the UK is valid for five years, after which individuals can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). However, there are certain conditions under which an individual can lose their refugee status before the five-year period ends. Here are some circumstances under which a person can lose their refugee status:

• Voluntarily returning to their country of origin: If a refugee returns to their country of origin, they may lose their refugee status. This is because refugee status is granted to those who are unable or unwilling to return to their country due to a well-founded fear of persecution. By returning voluntarily, refugees may be seen as no longer needing protection.
• Travelling to the country of persecution: Similar to the above point, if a refugee travels to the country from which they sought protection, their refugee status may be revoked. This is because travelling to the country of persecution could indicate that the individual no longer fears persecution or that the circumstances in their country have changed.
• Obtaining a passport from their country of origin: In some cases, if a refugee obtains a passport from their country of origin, it may be seen as an indication that they have re-availed themselves of the protection of that country. This could lead to a review of their refugee status and possibly its revocation.
• Changes in circumstances: If there are significant changes in an individual's personal circumstances or in the circumstances of their country of origin, it could impact their refugee status. For example, if a refugee is convicted of a serious crime in the UK, their status may be revoked as they would no longer meet the requirements of paragraph 334. Similarly, if the situation in their country of origin improves significantly, it may no longer be considered unsafe for them to return.
• Failure to comply with UK laws: Refugees are expected to abide by the laws of the UK. If a refugee is found to have committed a crime or violated the terms of their status, their refugee status may be revoked. This includes providing false information on their asylum application.
• Absence from the UK for an extended period: Refugees are expected to reside in the UK during their granted period of stay. If a refugee stays outside the UK for more than two consecutive years, they may lose their status and have to apply for permission to return.

It is important to note that the process of losing refugee status can vary depending on individual circumstances and the specific laws of the UK. Refugees who find themselves in situations that may impact their status should seek legal advice and support to understand their rights and options.

Frequently asked questions