Travel document for refugees

A person granted international protection who resides lawfully in Iceland can apply for a travel document for refugees to travel abroad.

Application

Applications must be submitted in their original form on paper.

They can either be sent by regular mail to the Directorate of Immigration or delivered to the drop box in the Directorate’s reception. It is necessary to first pay the processing fee by bank transfer and submit the payment receipt with the application for confirmation, see information on how to pay the processing fee.

Directorate of Immigration (see map)
Dalvegur 18
201 Kópavogur
Iceland

Applications can also be handed in and paid for in the Directorate’s reception or at the offices of District Commissioners outside the capital area.

Processing fee

• The fee for an application is 7.000 ISK.

• An unpaid application will be returned to the applicant.

• The processing fee is not refunded if the applicant cancels the application.

Supporting documents

• The application must be in its original form, duly completed and signed by the applicant or the custodial parent/parents in the case of children younger than 18.

  • Please note that both parents must sign the application.

    • If one parent has sole custody, custody documentation must be submitted with the application.

  • For children aged 9 and under, it is not necessary to provide height information.

• If you are in possession of a valid passport, issued by your home country, or a travel document issued by any other country, you must return them with an application.

• If you have previously been issued a refugee travel document from the Directorate of Immigration, you must return it with an application for a new travel document.

Identity assessment

If your identity was not verified when protection was granted, an assessment must be carried out of the documents you have previously submitted concerning your identity. You may receive a letter informing you that there is still uncertainty regarding your identity and giving you a specified deadline to submit additional documentation.

Examples of documents that may establish your identity include previous passports, identity certificates, or other official identity documents containing your photograph and issued by a governmental authority. Additional supporting documents may include officially issued records such as national identity cards, birth certificates, family registers, residence registration records, marriage certificates, custody documents, or criminal record certificates.

Supporting documents submitted with the application must be provided as either certified originals or certified copies. If the documents are not in English or a Nordic language, they must be accompanied by a certified translation.

All documents submitted will be assessed. However, please note that copies of documents alone cannot establish your identity, as their authenticity cannot be verified.

Application approved

When your application has been approved, you will receive an invitation for a photo appointment. Children can only attend a photo appointment for a travel document if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Application rejected

The issuing of a refugee travel document may be refused if:

• The identity of the applicant has not been established or doubt exists as to his/her identity.

• An applicant is wanted by the police, a warrant has been issued for his/her arrest or he/she is subject to a prohibition of departure.

• An applicant has received a final conviction of a very grave crime and is deemed a danger to society.

• When foreign policy or reasons concerning the security of the state militate against it.

Rights and obligations

If a refugee travel document is lost or destroyed, the police and the Directorate of Immigration shall be notified thereof immediately by completing this form.

Revocation

A refugee travel document shall be revoked when:

• the holder of the document is expelled,

• the holder acquires a travel document from his/her home country,

• the holder loses his/her refugee status by obtaining Icelandic citizenship or citizenship of another state or loses the status in another manner,

• the holder is prohibited by law from leaving Iceland,

• departure from Iceland would be in violation of a court verdict or ruling or an official decision,

• the appearance or content of the document has been unlawfully altered.

A refugee travel document may be revoked when:

• it has been damaged or is unfit for use for other reasons,

• the photograph or information in the document are inconsistent with the holder’s identifying features,

• it is found in the keeping of an unauthorised person,

• the holder no longer has a permit to reside in Iceland.

Law

The travel document for refugees is issued on the basis of Article 46, paragraph 1 of the Foreign Nationals Act, Article 1 of the Passports Act and Article 17 of the Regulation on Icelandic Passports.