Refugee Travel Document - Questions and Answers

[canuck78]

I have questions
1: If there is one year left before the RTD expires and ECOPR is issued, can the RTD be renewed in advance?
2: How long before the RTD expires can one travel? For example, if there are three months left before the RTD expires, what can travel do?
3:After getting ECOPR, (before getting a PR card), can travel to those countries where Canada has free entry with a PR.
I mean, which countries that offer on-arrival entry to Canada PR accept ECOPR?

1. No
2 Countries have their own entry requirements
3. Probably not the countries will want to see the physical card

 

[iftikhar0022]

1. No
2 Countries have their own entry requirements
3. Probably not the countries will want to see the physical card

But I think I have to apply for renewal
Bcoz after getting ECOPR
RTD expiry date will be 5 years

 

[canuck78]

But I think I have to apply for renewal
Bcoz after getting ECOPR
RTD expiry date will be 5 years

Your RTD is still valid and aren’t a PR so not sure why you would apply again. If you get PR you can you reapply but those are all hypotheticals at this point since you don’t know when you will receive eCOPR. I would only reapply if it makes a difference for entry requirement to a country. If a country will refuse entry because of expiry date of your RTD then you would have a reason to apply again way before RTD expires. Don’t think there are any country that allow entry on RTD that prevent entry 3-6+ months before RTD expires. Most don’t have any requirement.

 

[Flowercita]

Your RTD is still valid and aren’t a PR so not sure why you would apply again. If you get PR you can you reapply but those are all hypotheticals at this point since you don’t know when you will receive eCOPR. I would only reapply if it makes a difference for entry requirement to a country. If a country will refuse entry because of expiry date of your RTD then you would have a reason to apply again way before RTD expires. Don’t think there are any country that allow entry on RTD that prevent entry 3-6+ months before RTD expires. Most don’t have any requirement.

Of course many countries has restrictions. I emailed differents consulates and required 6 months or 3 months at least.
As like with the passports, many countries ask for 6 months validity.

I recommend if you RTD is less than 6 months valid, renew it. I did it. There is a problem and they could refuse to renew if your document is one year valid. But with less than 6 months , they know many countries wont accept it.

Always try to look for information in canada.ca
Asking here is for reference. There are people giving not good information.

 

[Canadian_rainbow]

Of course many countries has restrictions. I emailed differents consulates and required 6 months or 3 months at least.
As like with the passports, many countries ask for 6 months validity.

I recommend if you RTD is less than 6 months valid, renew it. I did it. There is a problem and they could refuse to renew if your document is one year valid. But with less than 6 months , they know many countries wont accept it.

Always try to look for information in canada.ca
Asking here is for reference. There are people giving not good information.

That’s right. For example Indonesia requires 1 year for refugee travel document.

 

[iftikhar0022]

Your RTD is still valid and aren’t a PR so not sure why you would apply again. If you get PR you can you reapply but those are all hypotheticals at this point since you don’t know when you will receive eCOPR. I would only reapply if it makes a difference for entry requirement to a country. If a country will refuse entry because of expiry date of your RTD then you would have a reason to apply again way before RTD expires. Don’t think there are any country that allow entry on RTD that prevent entry 3-6+ months before RTD expires. Most don’t have any requirement.

I have to travel in April 2026 and my RTD is expiring in August 2026. So therefore I have to apply because by the time I apply, there will be four months left before the RTD expires, so I need a value date of at least six months, so I have to apply again.

 

[Canadian_rainbow]

I have to travel in April 2026 and my RTD is expiring in August 2026. So therefore I have to apply because by the time I apply, there will be four months left before the RTD expires, so I need a value date of at least six months, so I have to apply again.

When it’s less than 1 year you can apply for new one. It also says on the application forms. When you have pr better to apply for new one and get for 5 years.

 

[canuck78]

I have to travel in April 2026 and my RTD is expiring in August 2026. So therefore I have to apply because by the time I apply, there will be four months left before the RTD expires, so I need a value date of at least six months, so I have to apply again.

Have you verified with the country you wish to travel to? No matter what makes no sense to apply before you receive PR unless much closer to travel date.

 

[Flowercita]

I have to travel in April 2026 and my RTD is expiring in August 2026. So therefore I have to apply because by the time I apply, there will be four months left before the RTD expires, so I need a value date of at least six months, so I have to apply again.

Apply on nov or dec. Now is still more than one year vslid. They can refuse But gather all documents and within a couple of months You can ask For renew.

Are You close to You PR? After You become PR your new RTD Will be 5 years valid.

 

[canada2024__]

Question. RTD expiring in December but have a USA visa. Can I travel to USA in October for a week? Or should I apply for a new rtd ?

yes, you can. I entered to states when there was 1 month to expiration date of my RTD.

 

[Db1000]

Sent my RTD mid-June for urgent processing. Called IRCC to check status, and I'm still being told it's not in the system. Does anyone have a similar timeline?

 

[prcoming2023]

Marking your application as urgent doesn’t guarantee it will be processed as such. I recommend submitting the webform every three days and requesting an update. In each form, explain your situation and emphasize that your application is urgent.

After a month, I was finally able to get my application in the system. I am still waiting as well. However, they confirmed that my application would be treated as urgent.

I believe you will get a good news this week.

 

[SunsetFlower]

Hello, I have a few questions

1. My RTD is newly issued just this early 2025 for 2 years but I just got my PR card. Do i need to apply a new RTD with my PR status? (If no do i only renew it when close to RTD exp date?)
2. Can I still travel with my current RTD (that was issued before PR) and bring my PR card while travelling? Will there be any issues?

Thank you very much.

 

[Elkana]

Hi @Canadian_rainbow, FYI, I secured a US visa on my refugee travel document, but my refugee travel document expires on 23 March 2025. I was supposed to travel to Kenya for my father's surgical treatment and needed a new refugee travel document. I applied on the webform on 24 Sep 24 for an urgent travel plan, but I still haven't received a reply from IRCC. I called them twice, and there was no update. So, I have two questions:
1. Should I apply through the normal route since the urgent one is not working?
2. To travel to the US what should be the validity of the RTD?
Thanks,

Hey did you get us visa without pr card? Is possible to get without pr card?