Travel Documents

Information Note

Misuse of a travel document may result in the document being withdrawn from the person to whom it issued. As the issuing authority, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service reserves the right not to issue further travel documents to persons who lose/misuse a travel document. Travel Documents issued by INIS are the property of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

TRAVEL DOCUMENT UPDATE

Please note that the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service will shortly be introducing a new Travel Document which will meet new international standards.  The following will be available:

  • Travel Document issued under the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees
  • Travel Document issued under the 1954 UN Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons
  • Travel Document issued to Programme Refugees under Section 24 of the Refugee Act 1996 as amended
  • Travel Document issued to persons determined to be eligible for subsidiary protection under the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006
  • Temporary Travel Document issued in exceptional cases.

Further details will be posted in due course.

What is a travel document?

A travel document is an official document which assists qualifying non Irish nationals who are resident in Ireland to travel. They are issued by the Travel Document Unit, Immigration Services Section, Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, 1st Floor, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.

Who is entitled to an Irish travel document?

A non EU national who has been granted full refugee status by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is entitled to apply for a travel document to enable him/her to travel outside the State. The issuing of such a document (normally referred to as a Convention Document) is governed by the Refugee Act 1996 which incorporates the 1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees.

Programme Refugees who are placed on the Register of Programme Refugees maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs are also entitled to 1951 Convention travel documents.

Persons who have been granted Subsidiary Protection Status and appropriate family members

Is there any other type of travel document that can be applied for?

An individual who has been granted residency in the State and who does not have a current valid national passport is not entitled to an Irish travel document.
The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) are not obliged to issue travel documents in such instances.The individual concerned should instead seek a national passport from their country of origin or their nearest consular service available to them. The onus is on such persons to secure a national passport from their own authorities.

The Minister may, at his/her absolute discretion, issue a temporary travel document in some very exceptional cases to a person who has been granted leave to remain in the State and does not have a national passport.

How to apply for a travel document?

Persons wishing to apply for a travel document must complete an application form, have it endorsed by a member of the Garda Siochana and then send that completed form to this office. Applicants should note that applications take approx. 4-6 weeks to process and that they should not make any travel arrangements until they have received their travel document. The form must be accompanied by the following:

  1. Administration fee: €12 payable by bank draft/postal order only. The bank draft/postal order should be made payable to the Secretary General, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. This fee is payable for all applications including renewals. Please note that this is an administration fee which covers the cost of processing your application. This fee cannot be refunded if your application is refused or withdrawn.
  2. Two passport size colour photographs.
     They should be:
    • No more than 6 months old
    • Minimum size 35mm x 45mm, maximum size 38mm x 50mm
    • Printed on photographic paper
    • Sharp and clear, and taken against a plain white or light grey background
    • A frontal pose looking directly at the camera and showing full face. The face should take up 70-80% of the photograph. The expression should be neutral with both eyes open and mouth closed. There should be no hair covering the eyes.
    • Only head coverings worn for religious reasons are permitted. Hair bands are not allowed
    • Sunglasses are not acceptable. If glasses are worn they should be of clear glass so that the eyes are visible
    • These photographs must be endorsed by a member of An Garda Siochana
  3. Copy of current Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) registration card

For an application form for a Travel Document, please see Travel Doc Application Form(124kb) pdf  This document is a pdf 

Can I include my children on my travel document? 

1951 UN Convention Travel Documents
No, it is no longer possible to have the names of any children under 16 years, whose names were included in the letter granting refugee status, and who are residing with the refugee in the State included on a parent’s travel document. Children must make applications in their own right through their parent(s) for their own travel document. All applications for children under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by their original birth certificate and evidence that the child is residing in Ireland. If the child is over 5 years of age, an up to date letter (not more than one week old) from their school confirming their attendance at school. If the child is under 5 years of age, an up to date letter (not more than one week old) from their doctor (GP) confirming the child is registered with their practise. Two passport size colour photographs one of which must be officially stamped at the back by the school or doctor (GP). In such cases, the Department may seek details as to the nature and length of the proposed trip.

How do I renew my Travel Document?

Travel Document renewal applications must be made to the Travel Document Unit,(see contact details below) one month prior to the expiry of the existing period. Registered Post is the advisable means of sending the documents to us.  

The following documentation must be submitted with all applications for renewal: 

  1. Current Travel Document
  2. A copy of current Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) registration card
  3. €12 Postal Order/Bank Draft 
     

My Travel Document is full ?
 
If  your current Travel Document is full and cannot be renewed or extended then you should submit:

  1. Completed application Form
  2. Two colour passport size photographs 
  3. Current Travel Document
  4. A copy of current Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) registration card
  5. €12 Postal Order/Bank Draft 

Do I need a visa to re enter the State?

Holders of Irish travel documents issued under the 1951 Geneva Convention do not require a re-entry visa to re-enter the State. However visas may be required to enter some other countries.  The onus is on the travel document holder to contact the Embassy/High Commission of the country he/she intends to visit to find out if an entry visa is required.

Temporary travel document holders require re-entry visas to re enter the State. Further details are available from the Visa Public Office, Ground Floor, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 and/or from visamail@justice.ie.

Further information regarding travel documents

  • Travel documents are initially issued for a period of up to two years and are subject to renewal at the discretion of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
  • Persons who have been granted permission to remain in the State other than those granted full refugee status are not entitled to apply for a 1951 Geneva Convention Travel Document. As a general rule such persons should contact their nearest National Embassy and obtain a passport.

For an application form for a Travel Document, please see  Travel Doc Application Form(124kb) pdf  This document is a pdf 

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