How to obtain a refugee travel document

Convention Travel Documents (CTDs) are travel documents issued to refugees and stateless individuals by countries following the 1951 Convention on Refugees and the 1954 Convention on Stateless Persons.

A CTD serves as a form of identification and travel document for individuals who are unable to obtain or hold a national passport from their country of origin. It is meant to make international travel easier for refugees and stateless people, letting them cross borders for protection, family reunification, education, work, conferences, or other lawful purposes.

Some refugees might need a CTD to get a work permit.

In Uganda

In Uganda, a CTD is issued to refugees who are fully registered in accordance with the UN Convention on Refugees.

The issuance of CTDs is carried out by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control in consultation with the Office of the Prime Minister and in accordance with the Refugees Act, 2006.

Requirements For a CTD

Here is a summary of the requirements for a CTD in Uganda

• You must be a fully registered refugee with an ID card, family attestation (for people aged 16 and below), and a mandate letter or Form C.
• You must have a recommendation from the OPM.

Optional requirements

• University or school acceptance letter for people who intend to study abroad.
• Proof from a hospital or healthcare provider for people seeking treatment abroad.
• Contract signed with the employer if you intend to work abroad.

The process

Here's a step-by-step guide to the process:

1. Gather copies of the necessary documents, such as your Refugee ID, Family Attestation (for those under 16), and either a mandate letter or Form C.
2. Visit the OPM with your documents. There, you'll need to complete a request form, indicating the services you're applying for—specifically, the Convention Travel Document (CTD). The OPM Kampala office only receives CTD applications on Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm for all nationalities.
3. Submit the filled-out request form and copies of your documents to the Refugee Department at the OPM.
4. The Refugee Department will review your application and verify the validity of your documents through their system. They may contact you for further verification if needed.
5. Upon approval, the OPM will notify you to pay the application fees. The Convention Travel Document costs Shs220,000.
6. Pay the required fee of 220,000 Ugandan shillings plus any applicable bank charges. Keep a copy of the payment receipt for your records and submit it to the OPM to finalize your application.
7. Once payment is made, your name will be added to the recommendation list. Please note that recommendation letters are not issued individually. The OPM compiles one list weekly and forwards it to the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC). Priority is given to applicants with urgent needs (such as education, jobs, and treatment abroad) when there's a high volume of applications.
8. You'll be provided with a date by the OPM to visit the immigration office for fingerprinting. The processing time for the CTD is approximately 3-4 days after fingerprinting at the immigration office.
9. Upon completion, you'll be contacted by the OPM to collect your CTD. It's crucial to appear in person unless you have valid proof for a family member to collect on your behalf.

A recognized refugee in possession of a valid passport issued by their country of origin MUST surrender that passport to the issuing officer before acquiring a travel document.

Validity

• A CTD is valid for 5 years and can be renewed upon expiry.
• A CTD is valid for all countries except the refugee’s country of origin and those countries with respect to which Uganda has restrictions.

In case of a lost CTD

• If you lose your CTD, you can apply for a replacement, but a fine of Shs100,000 applies, in addition to the processing fee of Shs220,000. These fees must be paid directly to the bank; avoid making payments to individuals or intermediaries.

Refugee’s right to travel

• A recognized refugee staying in Uganda is entitled to a travel document for travel outside Uganda unless compelling reasons of national security or public order require otherwise.
• A travel document issued to a recognized refugee shall be valid for all countries except the refugee’s country of origin and those countries to which Uganda has restrictions.
• A recognized refugee in possession of a valid passport issued by the country of origin shall surrender that passport to the issuing officer before acquiring a travel document.
• A person who has ceased to be a recognized refugee under this Act shall not be issued with a travel document, and if such person possesses a travel document, he or she shall surrender it to the immigration office.

NOTE: Visit the OPM office in Kampala or in the settlement for further guidance on the procedure. Avoid using middlemen, as they may solicit unnecessary money and bribes from you. To report a case of fraud, contact UNHCR through the interagency toll-free helpline 0800323232.

Office of the Prime Minister (OPM)

Refugee Directorate

Located on the 4th floor, Office of the Prime Minister Building

Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road

P.O. Box 341. Kampala

0414230758 or 0414230768

[e-mail]

CTD Focal Person: 0716133444. 

The Office of the Prime Minister has offices within the different refugee settlements across the country.

This article was written in collaboration with the Refugee Department at the Office of the Prime Minister.