Home Office travel documents

This section explains how you may be able to obtain a Home Office travel document to travel outside the United Kingdom if you cannot use a passport issued by your own country.

You can only apply to us for a travel document in certain special circumstances. There are four types of travel document, depending on your circumstances and your status in the United Kingdom:

• If you are a refugee, you can apply for a convention travel document.
• If you are stateless, you can apply for a stateless person's document.
• If you are a citizen of any country and you are currently in the United Kingdom, you can apply for a one-way document (known as an IS137).
• If you have been refused a passport by your own country, you can apply for a certificate of travel.

You can find out more about each document by selecting the relevant link above.

When you know which travel document you should apply for, read the How to apply section to find out about the application process.

For most of these travel documents, you must be legally resident in the United Kingdom and have permission to stay here for at least six months after the date when you make your application.

The Home Office has been issuing biometric travel documents since 17 March 2008, but all existing travel documents can continue to be used until they expire.