refugee travel document canada forum

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Know which documents you need and where to get them to make your travel quick and easy.

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A passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel identification document and it proves that you have a right to return to Canada 

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Permanent residents of Canada need a permanent resident card to re-enter Canada

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A Canadian citizenship certificate is not a valid travel document

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Information on permits to transport, import or export a listed wildlife species or items made from listed wildlife species

International Driving Permit

Your Canadian driver's licence may not be valid in your destination country

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You may need a Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) to travel outside Canada with your vehicle.

International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis

Some countries may require you to show proof of vaccination  

Your pets need travel documents to enter another country

CANPASS - Private aircraft

CANPASS cards allow private aircraft to clear customs and immigration quickly and securely

More information

Consent letter for children travelling abroad.

A consent letter helps children travelling without both parents to enter foreign countries and re-enter Canada

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Information on the legal issues involved in getting married abroad 

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Information about getting notarial services while you are outside Canada

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Information for Canadian dual citizens who are travelling to another country where they have citizenship

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Buy travel insurance before you travel outside Canada. Bring your insurance information with you. You may need to prove you have travel insurance to enter some countries

Mobile Passport Control app

Travellers can shorten the entry process to the U.S. by submitting their passport and customs declaration information through this app

Find helpful information on health and safety, travel documents, baggage, airport security, country advice and more.

Information on a recommended consent letter for Canadian children travelling abroad.

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How to get a refugee travel document in Canada.

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Table of Contents

This step-by-step guide will help you get your Canadian Refugee Travel Document or Certificate of Identity. We have taken the government instructions and simplified them for you!

Application for refugee travel document – let’s start…, first step: click the link below and download the application and follow our steps. .

Adult Travel Document Application – PPTC 190 for 16 years and older

Child Travel Document Application – PPTC 192 for 16 years and younger

Additional documents you may need:

Lost, stolen or damaged Travel Document – PPTC 203

Complete the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor – Pick up in person at the nearest Passport Canada office

IMM 5562 – Must use if applying for the first Travel Document and your home country’s passport has been taken away by Immigration Canada or CBSA.

Did you know Immigroup offers a paid service for Travel Document Applications? We can do the following:

Fill out the application make sure everything is perfectly in order & not rejected troubleshoot and answer all your questions, to learn more, click here ., section 1: refugee travel document personal information – pptc 190 or 192.

Most things in this section are straightforward, but two issues that people get stuck on are:

What is a UCI?

You can find this on your immigration documents (for example: Record of Landing paper). It will be 8 to 10 digits with one or two hyphens (-) in the middle of the number. UCI (Unique Client Identifier) is just your client identification number: the number that IRCC uses to identify you in your dealings with them.

Anticipated date of Travel: How can I get a Refugee Travel Document Urgently?

To get a travel document expedited, you will need to show proof of urgency. Not all urgencies are treated the same by IRCC. Here are the best to worst urgent reasons.

Note: IRCC states in their instructions in section A, ‘We recommend that you not finalize your travel plans until you receive the requested travel document.’ This may seem like good advice, but if you are thinking of simply requesting urgency or typing up a letter, this will, in most cases, not work .  You must show proof to increase your odds of success. As you’ll see below, any letter has to come from somewhere like a hospital or an employer and be on their official letterhead, written (and preferably signed) by an official of that organization. You’ll often need additional proof as you’ll see in the following table.

Note: All documents not in English or French will need to be translated by a certified translator. 

Section 2: Declaration of Guarantor – PPTC 190 or 192

It’s hard enough to find a guarantor that will give you the time, so make sure you have everything ready for them. (See the example below).

Your guarantor will need to sign the following:

• Fill out section 2 of the application form. Remember, they must have known you for at least 6 months.
• On the back of one of your passport photos, they must write, I certify this to be a true likeness of (your name).”
• They must sign their name on all supporting documents, front and back.

For more information about this subject, or If you can’t find a guarantor, read below:   

What are the guarantor requirements

• Lives in Canada,
• is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
• and has known you for at least 6 months or more.

Must be one of the following occupations and still work or be licensed in their field.

nurse practitioner

dentist, medical doctor or chiropractor

principal of a primary or secondary school

senior administrator or teacher in a university

professional accountant

minister of religion authorized under provincial or territorial law to perform marriages

optometrist

veterinarian

notary public

professional engineer (P. Eng. or Ing. in Quebec)

senior administrator in a community college (in Quebec, a CEGEP)

judge, magistrate, or police officer

lawyer or notary in Quebec

If you don’t have a guarantor, what to do?

This option does not require the person to have known you.

• In Canada: Pick up at the nearest Passport Service Location, or you can contact Passport Canada at this link to request they send a copy to you.
• In the US: Pick up at the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate, or you can contact Passport Canada at the same link.
• Outside Canada and the US: contact your nearest Canadian embassy or consulate.
• Must be filled out by:
• Notary Public
• Justice of the Peace
• Commissioner for oaths
• (Outside of Canada) Canadian or British diplomat. A local member of parliament or civil servant (government official) is also suggested. Check with the Canadian embassy or consulate if a local notary or lawyer is acceptable.

Important: The person you used to fill out your Lieu of Guarantor CAN’T be your same reference.

IRCC’s web page states that you can’t use the same references on the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form that you included on your passport or travel document application. In other words, if you have already used a guarantor for your passport application, you’ll have to find another guarantor for your Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form.

The government statement does not really make sense for your travel document, seeing that if you have a guarantor for your travel document you don’t need a Statutory Declaration. 

Section 3: Proof of Immigration Status in Canada – PPTC 190 or 192

Here is an excellent example from the IRCC website. If you need help finding your immigration status document number, click here .

Here are the steps:

• Fill out the section below
• Make copies of your immigration documents. Remember, your guarantor will need to sign the front and the back of the documents. You can send the original, and no signature is required, but this is not recommended.

Required Identity documents

An official translator/translation company must professionally translate any documents that are not in English or French. Look for a stamp or seal with a membership number of a professional translation association in Canada or abroad. If the seal or stamp is not in English or French, it must also be translated. 

• A copy of an original document signed by your guarantor
• If you have: a valid passport or travel document issued in your name
• 2 Passport photos (Go to a professional passport photo location) *
• On the back of one of the photos, your guarantor needs to write the following statement, “ I certify this to be a true likeness of (your name).”
• The photographer will need to indicate the company address and date on the back of the photos (this usually is done by the photographer’s business stamp).
• Phot size will be 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 inches wide by 2¾ inches high).
• Please note: A small number of photos do get refused .

Additional Documents you may need.

• Change of name document
• Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged travel document – PPTC 203
• Change of sex application – This is a provincial jurisdiction, and the relevant application for your province can be found online.

Note: If you are filing a refugee claim and your home country’s passport is taken away from you at your port of entry by Immigration Canada or CBSA, the official will fill out form BSF 698 if the document seized is a Travel Document or Identity Document, or form IMM 5265 for other documents. The official is then required to provide you with a copy of the form they have filled out. Your passport will be scanned and digitally uploaded to the government’s Global Case Management System (GCMS).

• This is done when there are concerns about the legitimacy of your refugee claim.

Section 4: Previous Canadian Travel Document – PPTC 190 or 192

You will have to return your old travel document.

Note: if you have a valid visa, you can request that your old travel document be returned. You will have to indicate this request in a letter.

FAQ – Section 4

I am renewing my refugee travel document; will i get the old one back.

You need to make a formal request to have your Travel Document returned. For most people, this request is made because your old Travel Document or Certificate of Identity still has a valid visa in it.

When should I renew my Travel Document or Certificate of Identity?

We recommend applying 6 to 9 months before expiration, but you can apply 12 months before.

Tip: If you still have a valid visa in your current travel document, you can request to have the old document returned.

I have an expired Travel document or Certificate of Identity; do I still need to return it?

All documents must be returned unless they have expired over 5 years.

I have lost my old, expired travel document; what do I do?

You must fill out a lost passport application PPTC 203

Section 5: Citizenship and Travel Documentation – PPTC 190 or 192

Do you have valid travel documents or passports.

The reason they are asking you this is because Refugee Travel Documents are for people that can’t use their home country’s passport. If you are still in possession of a valid passport, you will need to give it up and mail it in with this application.

Have you visited another country since you entered Canada?

If you have travelled, list all dates. if you need more room to put all dates, click to download the document here and attach this to your application.

Section 6: Documents to Support Identity – PPTC 190 or 192

You need to have an ID that:

1) has a photo,

2) has your signature, and

3) is valid (Date hasn’t expired).

• It can be a Provincial or Federal ID.
• It’s recommended that the ID is issued in Canada, but you can use IDs from other countries (for example, a driver’s license from your home country)
• You will need one ID. This ID must have a photo of you, and your signature and not be expired . The best document to use is a provincial Driver’s License (for alternative solutions, read below).
• Make a colour copy of this document front and back .
• Your guarantor will have to sign and date the front and back of each copy of your ID. Note: Your guarantor will have to verify the original ID with the copies, so bring everything with you.

Note: You can send original documents, but we don’t recommend this option.

What if you don’t have an ID with a photo?

If you don’t have any ID that meets the above requirements, you can apply for a Provincial ID card. Most provinces in Canada have one. See our list below.

*Some provinces may waive the fee for refugees.

Last resort, you can send in a combination of a few documents, but you will need to check with the IRCC call center to ensure these documents will be excepted. 

Section 7: Additional Personal Information – PPTC 190 or 192

Here you just need to give your address and work history for the last two years.

Section 8: Refernces – PPTC 190 or 192

You will now need to find two people who have known you for at least 6 months, or more.  

Tip: Find two people that will always pick up their phones during the daytime . The Passport Program call center will call a few times but if your references don’t answer the phone then at some point, they will simply give up and your application can be put on hold or returned to you.

Note: Ask your references to let you know when the call came in, because at this stage of the application process, this usually means you are close to getting your Travel Document.

Section 9: Emergency Contac – PPTC 190 or 192

This is in case you have an emergency while traveling. Always a good idea to have someone close to you listed here. If you don’t have anyone in Canada, you can put family or friends from outside of Canada.

Last Step: Review and Send to the government 

• Two Passport Photos
• Colour copy of proof of immigration status in Canada – signed and dated by guarantor
• Copies of ID, front and back – signed and dated by guarantor
• Original Travel Document – if applicable
• Proof of urgency – If applicable
• Canada Post Xpresspost package (keep tracking info)

Centralized Network – Certificate of Identity Section

Place du Centre,

Commercial Level 2

200 Promenade du Portage

Gatineau QC

Tip: if you are applying for urgent reason, then on the outside of the envelope write in big letters “ URGENT ”.

How to Track and communicate about your application?

This question usually gives most people the most frustration . Getting through, getting a non-templated answer from the government is not easy. What seems to work is persistence, so keep reaching out through the different channels we have listed below. 

You have 2 options in tracking or contacting: 

• Webfrom click here (Recommended)
• Calling IRCC’s call center at 1-888-242-2100 (difficult getting through) 

Note: Calling Passport Canada 1-800-567-6868, will not work. 

What is a Refugee Travel Document?

This document is issued to Protected Persons in Canada (Refugees) or persons in need of protection.

What is a Certificate of Identity?

This document is issued to Permanent Residents of Canada that meet one of the following:

• Not Protected Persons
• Are Stateless
• Can’t get a passport or travel document for their home country

What is the definition of “Persons in need of protection”: According to the IRPA a protected person is someone who is given the protections afforded a convention refugee but not may not fit the Geneva Convention’s legal definition of a convention refugee.

Protected person

(2) A protected person is a person on whom refugee protection is conferred under subsection (1), and whose claim or application has not subsequently been deemed to be rejected under subsection 108(3), 109(3) or 114(4).

Will I get a Travel Document or Certificate of Identity?  

If you are a refugee and are now a protected person in Canada, you will get a Refugee Travel Document. If you are stateless or not a protected person, you will get a Certificate of Identity.

Which Document allows me to travel more?

A travel document is better because more countries give the holder visa-free travel.

What are the limitations of these documents?

• It can’t be used to travel back to your country of citizenship (The country you claimed you needed protection from).
• Visa may be required. Once you get your document, you will need to contact each country you wish to travel to.

People that are eligible for Travel Documents or a Certificate of Identity

What are Convention Refugees:

What are Protected Persons: 

What are Stateless Persons: 

What are Permanent Residents of Canada in Special Circumstances:

Who issues Canadian Travel Documents? 

All documents are created in Gatineau, Quebec, by Passport Canada. The location where they make the passport is 210 Rue Champlain, Gatineau, QC J8X 3R5. It is officially called the Gatineau-Hull Service Canada Centre and Passport Services. IRCC is responsible for the processing, and Passport Canada creates the document.

How long is a Travel Document or Certificate of Identity valid?

Travel Document or Certificate of Identity: Typically, for 5 years but they can sometimes be valid for only 1 year.

Certificate of Identity issued in Canada: Typically, it’s issued for 1 year or more. 

Can I get a Travel Document outside of Canada?

Travel Documents are issued inside of Canada. In case of an emergency outside of Canada, you will need to contact a Canadian Diplomatic Mission (Embassy or Consulate) outside of Canada. Click here for the entire directory .

What age do I have to be to apply for a Travel Document?

You can be of any age . There are applications for adults (16 years and older) and children (15 years or younger).

Travel Document or Certificate of Identity for children.

Any parent can apply. You will need one of the following documents to prove you are the parent:

• The child’s Long Form Birth Certificate (this certificate will have the child’s information and parents on it. This is not the short form birth certificate).
• The child’s Adoption Order showing the name of both the child and the adoptive parent.
• The parent’s passport as long as the child is listed on the parent’s passport.

If Separated or Divorced:

• Divorce papers showing custody of the child or other legal document detailing any custody arrangements for the child.

Child’s legal guardian:

• Proof of legal guardianship

What is the immigration status document number?

Most immigration documents will have a document number usually located in the upper right-hand corner of the document. It helps the issuing authority keep track of the documents they issue.

Where do I find the Date of issue and date of expiry?

It depends on the document.

• On your Refugee Travel Document – if it’s in the form of a card it will be on the front near your photo. If it’s in the form of a passport (the Blue Passport) you will find that information on the inside near the beginning.
• On your Permanent Resident card, they don’t have a Date of Issue, but they do have a Date of Expiry located on front of the card in the lower middle section.
• On your Temporary Resident Permit, your date of issue and expiry date are located below your name on the upper right-hand side.

What countries can I travel to with my Refugee Travel Document or Certificate of Identity?

Most countries will require a vis. Refugee Travel Documents is not a Canadian passport and will come with limitations.

In most cases, after you have gotten your Travel Document will need to apply for a visa to the country you are planning to travel to.

Here are the steps to take:

*see below for visa-free countries

Contact the Embassy of the countries you plan to travel to. Here is the complete list of all Diplomatic Missions in Canada .

• You must ask if a Canadian Travel Document holder is visa-free or requires a visa .
• If visa-free, what are the rules or limitations (for example, 90 days visa-free)
• If the visa is required:
• What application needs to be filled out – and where to find it?
• Processing timelines and costs
• Documents they will need from you (for example, banking information, Hotel addresses or booking confirmation).

Visa-free countries for a Canadian Refugee Travel Document or Certificate of Identity.

The Geneva Convention of 1951 established the status of refugees and the protections that should be given to them. Some, but not most, of the countries that signed the convention allow visa-free travel for refugees with a travel document.

• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City

Can I use the eTA program with my Travel Document?

It depends.

• If you’re travelling to Canada on a refugee travel document issued abroad , you cannot apply for an eTA. Instead, you will need a Visitor Visa.
• If you have a Canadian refugee travel document , you are exempt from both visa and eTA travel requirements when travelling to Canada. However, other countries may still require a visa.
• If you are a refugee with lawful permanent resident status in the US, but without a passport, you can still travel to Canada visa-free if you have your I-571 (US Refugee Travel Document) and proof of your lawful permanent resident status. 

Do Canadian Refugee travel document holders need a visa if travelling to the United States?

Yes, you must apply for a visa to visit the US.

I am eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. Should I still apply for a Travel Document?

You should apply for both. Your Canadian citizenship will take time, but once you get it, you can apply for a Canadian Passport and return your Travel Document. 

What is the fee for a Canadian Travel Document?

The fee for a Canadian Travel Document is CDN$120. If you are replacing a lost or stolen document, an additional $45 will apply. Most of the above fees are non-refundable ($25 is refundable).

What is the fee for a Certificate of Identity?

The fee for a Certificate of Identity is CDN$260. If you are replacing a lost or stolen document, an additional $45 will apply. Most of the above fees are non-refundable ($25 is refundable).

How do you pay the government fee?

• Use a major credit card – section D of the application
• Certified cheque, money order (Canada Post or Bank). Payments for Travel Documents or Certificate of Intensity must be made to Receiver General for Canada .

What is the mailing address? 

Courier with tracking: Recommended (Keep tracking information – Use Canada Post or any major courier company)

Gatineau QC 

Regular Mailing:

OSC PPT-COI

PO BOX 9783 STN T CSC OTTAWA ON K1G 5G8

How to Contact Passport Program for additional questions?

• Walk into a Passport Canada Service Center (Go to Google maps, type ‘Passport Canada near me’ or Click here ).
• To use the webform click here
• You will need to contact IRCC for tracking and general information at 1-888-242-2100

Calling Passport Canada will not work: Toll-free call 1-800-567-6868 – from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, Easter Standard Time.

If you do call Passport Canada, this will be the message, “Certificate of Identity and Refugee Travel Documents should now be directed to IRCC Client Support Center.”

I sent my application, but I changed my address; what should I do?

Contact the IRCC call center. See the section, ‘How to track and communicate about your application?’ on this web page located just above the FAQ section.

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• Political Asylum in USA

Need help?refugee travel document and visa to canada?

• Thread starter zakaahmad
• Start date Dec 6, 2012

Registered Users (C)

• Dec 6, 2012

Dear members, i just got my asylum approved from usa, and i still have not got my refugee travel document , and i have applied for my canada visa to travel to canada, i am from pakistan, so i wanted help ,regarding refugee travel document, that i dint submit my travel document to canada embassy as i dont have it yet, and will the canada embassy paste visa in my pakistani passport, will i have no problem coming back to usa , once i have got my refugee travel document , i hope someone will answer my question, thank you so much,,with regards  

ameristar79

zakaahmad said: Dear members, i just got my asylum approved from usa, and i still have not got my refugee travel document , and i have applied for my canada visa to travel to canada, i am from pakistan, so i wanted help ,regarding refugee travel document, that i dint submit my travel document to canada embassy as i dont have it yet, and will the canada embassy paste visa in my pakistani passport, will i have no problem coming back to usa , once i have got my refugee travel document , i hope someone will answer my question, thank you so much,,with regards Click to expand...

ameristar79 said: for travel document you have to apply separate application form 1-730. It takes 3 months to approve. There is a fee 220 usd. Canadian embassy will interview you and if have asylum approval letter and i-94, then they should approve you. Doesnt matter for them they can use either your passport or travel document. But your passport has to be valid for 6 months at least. U will have no problem to come back to usa only if you have travel document which show "entry permitted". At the port into us they will ask u have u been in pakistan. As long as u prove it u wont have any problems. When u go to canadian embassy take your approval asylum with you so they can see it. Click to expand...

zakaahmad said: thank you for your response, how can i prove that i have not been into pakistan, what is the way, wont the canadian immigration at the port of entry will stamp that i entered canada,so that i can show the immigration usa that i dint go to pakistan, i hope the 3 months time for rtd is so long, i hope i get it before, as i wanna meet the family in canada,alright thank you so much.. Click to expand...

• Dec 7, 2012

How long a refugee can stay outside of USA on RTD??? Dear Sir, i wanted to know that how long a refugee can stay outside USA on RTD, before that he should have no problem in returning to USA, and if a refugee gets married in canada, will it effect his status of being refugee in USA, thank you for help,  

• Dec 11, 2012

zakaahmad said: Dear Sir, i wanted to know that how long a refugee can stay outside USA on RTD, before that he should have no problem in returning to USA, and if a refugee gets married in canada, will it effect his status of being refugee in USA, thank you for help, Click to expand...

ameristar79 said: You dont have to prove to US immigration at port that you did not go to Pakistan. All they do is just ask you did you travel to Pakistan? Thats all (unless they suspect for any reason), which is very rare. You can stay in Canada as much as you are allowed by Canadian immigration at entry port, normally it is up to 3 months or either 6 months, just like in US. Yes you can married and it wont affect your refugee status. But your spouse cannot obtain a refugee status because of you. You can be out of US as much as you want, but when you apply for a green card after 1 year of residency as of refugee or asylee, they will count those days of absense. So in stead of 1 year from day of approval you have wait another period of time equal to those days you were absent in the US. So if you were out for 3 months, then you have to wait 1 year and 3 month before you apply for green card. Good luck may Allah bless you! Click to expand...

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Canadian travel documents for non ‑ Canadians in Canada

Refugee travel documents are issued to residents of Canada who are protected persons, including Convention refugees and persons in need of protection.

Certificates of identity are issued to permanent residents of Canada who are not protected persons and are stateless or cannot obtain a national passport or travel document from any other source.

These documents are only issued in Canada .

Once we start processing your application, we can’t refund your fees unless your application was processed outside our service standards .

Get up to 3 certified copies of a page in your travel document. Pay a $45 fee for each page you need a copy of.

How to pay your fees

To pay your fees online you will need all of the following:

• PDF reader software
• a credit or debit card
• a valid email address

When you finish, you must

• print a receipt of your payment
• include it with your application

Pay my fees online

Apply by mail and pay by credit card or prepaid card

Fill out the payment section on your application form with either:

• a credit card (Visa®, MasterCard® or American Express®)
• an embossed prepaid card (Visa®, MasterCard® or American Express®) (card has raised letters or numbers)

Credit cards and prepaid cards

We accept credit cards and prepaid cards from:

• MasterCard ®
• American Express ®
• UnionPay ® (for online applications only; debit cards not accepted)

If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay to make refunds easier. Find more on prepaid cards .

We also accept all Debit MasterCard ® and Visa ® Debit cards for online applications only.

The card you use doesn’t have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

• MasterCard ® ,
• American Express ® , and

If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay to make refunds easier.

We also accept all Visa Debit cards.

The card you use does not have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Debit cards

We only accept Debit MasterCard ® and Visa ® Debit cards. The logos on the front of your card will show you which type of card you have.

The card you use does not have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt, but it does not need to match your application.

• be from a Canadian bank using INTERAC ® Online , and
• be registered for online banking through your bank’s website.

We also accept all Debit MasterCard ® and Visa ® Debit cards for online applications only. The logos on the front of your card will show you which type of card you have.

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Quick Guide to the Refugee Protection Division Practice Notice on Procedural Issues

​​​The Refugee Protection Division (RPD) is combining 9 practice notices into 1 Practice Notice on Procedural Issues (PNPI) . Starting on September 9​, 2024, the PNPI either repeals (cancels), keeps, or gives new directions.

A summary of key information in the PNPI is found below. We invite you to read the full practice notice for more detailed information. You may also wish to consult the Questions and answers: Practice Notice on Procedural Issues .

On this page

• Implementation date of the PNPI​​
• Time limit to provide the completed Basis of Claim ( BOC ) Form – Port of Entry

Submitting documents to the RPD

• RPD waives (removes) the requirement for some signatures

RPD waives (removes) the requirement to provide original and extra copy of the BOC Form

• ​ Translation of documents

Applications

• Change of date and time (CDT)​
• RPD waives (removes) the requirement to provide affidavits or statutory declarations with applications, responses, and replies
• RPD waives (removes) the requirement to file a medical certificate

Procedures for late disclosure

Procedures for voluminous disclosure of country conditions evidence, presence of minor refugee claimants at a hearing, members' use of electronic signatures, submitting documents with graphic content, implementation date of the pnpi.

This PNPI ​ at the Refugee Protection Division ( RPD or Division) replaces 9 previously issued practice notices which are therefore repealed. It comes into force on September 9, 2024, except for sections 2.2, 4.1, 4.4, and ​4.5, which come into force on October 15, 2024. These 4 sections are:

• 2.2 Request for additional time [to provide BOC Form]
• 4.1 Change of date and time
• 4.4 Procedures for late disclosure
• 4.5 Procedures for voluminous disclosure [of country conditions evidence] ​

The delay in implementation for these sections is to provide time for parties and their counsel to familiarize themselves with the new procedures and forms. Starting on October 15​,​​ 2024, use of the new forms becomes mandatory as set out in the practice notice.

Time limit to provide the completed Basis of Claim (BOC) Form – Port of Entry

If your claim is made at a port of entry, the PNPI extends the time limit to submit the completed BOC Form to the RPD from 15 days to 45 calendar days after the claim is referred to the RPD .

If you make your claim inland (i.e., not at a port of entry), you are still required to provide your completed BOC Form to an officer of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at your eligibility screening or before the officer refers your claim to the RPD .

Whether you make your claim inland or at a port of entry, you will be given information about where and when you must submit your completed BOC Form.

For port of entry claims, there may be exceptional circumstances that prevent you from meeting the 45 calendar-day time limit. If this happens, you can apply to have extra time to submit your completed BOC Form to the RPD . You must use the application form Application to extend the time limit to submit the Basis of Claim Form .

The PNPI does not change how to submit documents to the RPD . You are encouraged to use electronic means of communication with the RPD , such as email (PDF attachments only), Connect (formerly ePost Connect), and the My Case portal (available only to counsel at this time). If you are unable to use these methods, you can use mail, courier, fax, or in-person delivery.

Do not forget to submit all documents at least 10 calendar days before your hearing ( 5 calendar days if you are responding to another document submitted by IRCC / CBSA or the RPD ).

RPD waives (removes) the requirement for some signatures​

You no longer need to sign the following completed documents when you provide them electronically , such as by email, Connect, or the My ​Case portal:

• the BOC Form, including changes to the BOC Form
• a declaration that a representative is not receiving a fee
• an interpreter's or translator's declaration

However, you must still write the date that you completed the documents.

The requirement to sign these documents is not waived if they are provided by mail, courier, fax, or in-person delivery.

Of note, for the BOC Form, the member will ask you during the hearing to confirm that your unsigned BOC Form is complete, true, and correct. If you are present in-person, the member may ask you to sign the BOC Form at the beginning of your hearing.

You must provide 1 copy of your completed BOC Form to the referring officer or the RPD . You no longer need to provide the original BOC Form and a second copy. However, you must keep your original BOC Form because the member may want to see it.

Providing documents to the Minister

The Minister ( IRCC or CBSA ) may intervene in your claim by submitting written evidence and arguments or by participating in-person. If the Minister is intervening in your claim, they will send you and the RPD a Notice of Intent to Intervene. If you have received a Notice of Intent to Intervene, you must send the Minister a copy of all documents that you send to the RPD . The Minister's address and other contact information are on the Notice of Intent to Intervene.

Translation of documents

If you are submitting a document in a language that is not English or French, you must have it translated into English or French. A human translator must complete any translations. Any translated document must be accompanied by a translator's declaration . The RPD does not accept untranslated documents or documents translated by software or online tools (e.g., Google Translate).

Change of date and time

If you need to reschedule your hearing, you must complete an Application to change the date or time of a proceeding and submit it to the RPD as soon as you know you cannot attend your hearing. Use of this application form is mandatory but the RPD will apply this requirement flexibly for parties who are not represented.

If your application to change the date and time of a hearing is granted, the RPD will contact you or your counsel to reschedule your hearing. You no longer need to provide 3 alternate dates on which you are available to proceed with the hearing.

RPD waives (removes) requirements to provide an affidavit or statutory declaration with applications, responses, and replies

An affidavit or statutory declaration is a statement given under oath (which means you promise to tell the truth).

You no longer need to provide an affidavit or statutory declaration under Rule 50 (when you make an application), Rule 51 (response to an application) or Rule 52 (reply to a response). However, you may do so if you wish. A member may also require you to submit an affidavit or statutory declaration in certain cases.

RPD waives (removes) the requirement to submit a medical certificate

You no longer need to submit a medical document to support applications based on medical issues. However, you may do so if you wish. A member may also require a medical certificate in certain cases.

Documents submitted for use at your hearing are known as disclosure. There are 2 general categories of disclosure:

• personal documents (for example, a passport or other identity document, a police report, etc.)
• evidence regarding country conditions (for example, human rights reports, research on the situation in the country, etc.)

You must submit your documents to the RPD at least 10 calendar days before your hearing or 5 calendar days if the document is provided to respond to another document.

If you submit documents within 10 calendar days of your hearing, the disclosure is considered ‘late'. To have late documents accepted as evidence, you must make an Application to submit late disclosure to the Refugee Protection Division as soon as possible. Remember to attach the late disclosure documents to your application when submitted.

Voluminous disclosure refers to country condition documents that you are submitting as evidence that, when combined, total over 100 pages . Voluminous disclosure does not apply to personal documents.

To submit country conditions evidence exceeding 100 pages, you must make an Application to submit voluminous disclosure to the Refugee Protection Division and attach the country documentation you wish to file.

Where a claim or application involves multiple countries of reference (for example, if you are a citizen or resident of multiple countries), the page limit is 100 pages for each country of reference .

Each side of a page is counted as 1​ page (for example, it counts as 2 pages if you print on both sides of a page).

Children who are under 18 years of age on the date of their hearing are not required to attend the hearing, unless required by the member. However, a minor may attend the hearing if they wish in consultation with their designated representative.

You may receive a decision signed either electronically or on paper with wet signatures; either signature is equally valid.

When filing evidence containing graphic content, such as pictures or videos that show violence, serious injuries, or sexually explicit acts, the party must clearly identify it by labelling it with “ Notice: Graphic Content” .

The notice must be prominently displayed so that it will be seen before the recipient views the graphic content. For example, appropriate places to identify graphic content include the cover page of your document package, email subject line, and/or a table of contents.

This form is to be used only to report technical issues or errors encountered on our website. As submissions are anonymous , the IRB will not respond.

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Nepal tourist Visa on Canada Refugee Travel Document

• Thread starter jazz_grewal22
• Start date Sep 5, 2024

jazz_grewal22

Hi there, I’m wondering if anyone has applied for or obtained a Nepal tourist visa using a refugee travel document issued by the Government of Canada. Is the application process the same as it would be with a regular Canadian passport, or are there any differences? I am located in Vancouver, BC, and I’m not sure if there is a Nepal embassy here. I might need to apply online. Any insights would be helpful. Thanks!  

niagrafalse

jazz_grewal22 said: Hi there, I’m wondering if anyone has applied for or obtained a Nepal tourist visa using a refugee travel document issued by the Government of Canada. Is the application process the same as it would be with a regular Canadian passport, or are there any differences? I am located in Vancouver, BC, and I’m not sure if there is a Nepal embassy here. I might need to apply online. Any insights would be helpful. Thanks! Click to expand...