Refugee Travel Document - Questions and Answers

[Elkana]

They Received my travel document application on April 21 which is more than 4.5 months. I called IRCC multiple times they always said it’s still processing, However now one of their call support centre agent said application is on hold because of two uci numbers. I already raised a web form to correct it and i got a reply that application is in process if anything is needed we will contact you.
Does anyone know how to get out of it

Am really sorry to hear that. Let me share my experiences. I applied July 24,2025, so I called them on Aug 3,10,16 and they said it’s not showing in IRCC system. Unfortunately I called Aug 18 agent told me it’s in process and showing in system since July 28 and I was so surprised, I called last week again they said it’s approved and waiting printing since the I didn’t get any mail one week pass. You have no choice unless call again and again and remind them

 

[Albi Komi]

The give you 2 or 5 years?

2

 

[Elkana]

They Received my travel document application on April 21 which is more than 4.5 months. I called IRCC multiple times they always said it’s still processing, However now one of their call support centre agent said application is on hold because of two uci numbers. I already raised a web form to correct it and i got a reply that application is in process if anything is needed we will contact you.
Does anyone know how to get out of it

Hello, I received mine last week it’s take 6 weeks when I called them they said it is processing, when I call again they said approved waiting print. Finally they gave me tracking number and received it. Don’t be stressful, because you have no choice unless waiting them. Good luck

 

[Odin90210]

My experience traveling with a Refugee Travel Document wasn’t easy. At every airport I had to show my hearing decision before I could board the flight. Now imagine I don’t have such document on my phone. They kept saying the travel document is just a document and didn’t guarantee my re-entry into Canada. So please be prepared when traveling. I also faced probing questions at immigration in Toronto on arrival. Such as why I visited the country and who I stayed with etc. they even checked my wallet, I’ve heard they check phones too. So please let’s be careful.

 

[SKROR]

My experience traveling with a Refugee Travel Document wasn’t easy. At every airport I had to show my hearing decision before I could board the flight. Now imagine I don’t have such document on my phone. They kept saying the travel document is just a document and didn’t guarantee my re-entry into Canada. So please be prepared when traveling. I also faced probing questions at immigration in Toronto on arrival. Such as why I visited the country and who I stayed with etc. they even checked my wallet, I’ve heard they check phones too. So please let’s be careful.

Where did you travel to??

What airline did you take in the whole journey??

What questions were asked at your destination immigration counter and CBSA counter??

If you don't mind??

Thanks

 

[Odin90210]

Where did you travel to??

What airline did you take in the whole journey??

What questions were asked at your destination immigration counter and CBSA counter??

If you don't mind??

Thanks

I used Turkish Airlines.

I wasn’t asked any question at the destination country. But got taken for secondary screening at YYZ. Yes CBSA counter, the questions ranged from why I travelled, where I stayed, who I visited and they checked my wallet & boarding pass. In some cases they check phones and your entire baggage.

In summary, if anyone intends traveling, be very careful.

 

[Elkana]

My experience traveling with a Refugee Travel Document wasn’t easy. At every airport I had to show my hearing decision before I could board the flight. Now imagine I don’t have such document on my phone. They kept saying the travel document is just a document and didn’t guarantee my re-entry into Canada. So please be prepared when traveling. I also faced probing questions at immigration in Toronto on arrival. Such as why I visited the country and who I stayed with etc. they even checked my wallet, I’ve heard they check phones too. So please let’s be careful.

But my travel document type is PR. Some travel document type is P . This mean if say PR when airport scanning your travel document they can see your pr pending status

 

[canuck78]

But my travel document type is PR. Some travel document type is P . This mean if say PR when airport scanning your travel document they can see your pr pending status

They can see if you are a PR or not.

 

[Elkana]

They can see if you are a PR or not.

Yes there is a barcode on it.
Travel Document 'PR': Permanent Resident Card
A Canadian travel document that enables permanent residents to re-enter Canada is the Permanent Resident (PR) card. The term "PR" is not a type code on a specific travel document but rather refers to the card itself.

They can see if you are a PR or not.

 

[Canadian_rainbow]

Yes there is a barcode on it.
Travel Document 'PR': Permanent Resident Card
A Canadian travel document that enables permanent residents to re-enter Canada is the Permanent Resident (PR) card. The term "PR" is not a type code on a specific travel document but rather refers to the card itself.

My pr still processing and I don’t have my pr status and card right now. But still on my travel document it says pr

 

[Elkana]

My pr still processing and I don’t have my pr status and card right now. But still on my travel document it says pr

Yes, because that helps you to re-enter to canada without your pr card. Why, airports can see it easily that your pr is pending

 

[Canadian_rainbow]

Yes, because that helps you to re-enter to canada without your pr card. Why, airports can see it easily that your pr is pending

You can back to Canada without pr and without applying for it if you are holding refugee travel document. A refugee even doesn’t have to apply for pr. You can live without pr until you die. Only keep extending work permit, refugee travel documents etc.

 

[amam2024]

You can back to Canada without pr and without applying for it if you are holding refugee travel document. A refugee even doesn’t have to apply for pr. You can live without pr until you die. Only keep extending work permit, refugee travel documents etc.

protected person doesn't need work permit to my understanding. they can work or live without restriction

 

[Canadian_rainbow]

protected person doesn't need work permit to my understanding. they can work or live without restriction

I am protected person and no pr yet. And I need work permit to work in Canada.

 

[ruslan2025]

Which travel document after PR: RTD or Certificate of Identity? My RTD has expired.​

Hi everyone, I hope someone here can help or share their experience.
I was a protected person and have recently become a permanent resident. I now want to apply to renew my travel document, but I’m confused about which one to apply for.
There seem to be two options:
Refugee Travel Document – for people with protected person status
Certificate of Identity – for permanent residents who are not protected persons and cannot get a national passport
Since I am now a permanent resident, I’m not sure which option is correct. I also noticed that the fees are different for each. ($ 120 & 260 )
Additionally, my previous Refugee Travel Document is expired, but it still contains a valid U.S. B1/B2 visa. The application checklist says to send any travel documents with the new application. I’m concerned about sending the original because I still need the U.S. visa in the future.
I am still waiting for my PR card. Can I apply for the travel document using just my eCOPR, or do I need to wait for the PR card first?
Has anyone in a similar situation successfully applied? Is it acceptable to send a photocopy of the expired Refugee Travel Document instead of the original?
I don’t have a lawyer and plan to apply on my own, so I want to make sure I do this correctly.
Thank you very much to anyone who has experience or knowledge about this process.