Apply for a Home Office travel document
How to apply
Before you apply
If you have less than 6 months’ permission to stay in the UK (known as ‘leave to remain’), you need to extend it before you apply for a travel document.
If you have a biometric residence permit (BRP), make sure it has not expired and all the details are correct before you apply for a travel document.
You’ll need to:
- apply for a replacement BRP if yours has expired
- contact the team that issued your BRP if your details are not correct (their contact information will be on your letter or email notification)
Apply
The type of travel document you can apply for depends on what kind of permission to stay you have - for example, if you have refugee status or are recognised as stateless.
You can find what kind of permission to stay you have on your BRP or your Home Office decision letter.
If you apply for the wrong type of travel document, your application will be refused and you will not get a refund. You’ll have to submit a new application and pay the fee if you want to apply again.
How to apply
To apply for a travel document you need to:
- complete the online form
- send supporting documents by post
You can get help with completing the online form if you:
- do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
- do not have internet access
You cannot get immigration advice through this service.
Send supporting documents by post
You’ll be told in the online application:
- which documents to send
- where to send them
You’ll need to send original documents.
Do not send your BRP - you’ll need to keep this as proof of identity.
Do not send any documents you have not been told to send. They will not be returned.
If you urgently need a travel document for compassionate reasons
You’ll need to send additional supporting evidence by email if you urgently need a travel document for compassionate reasons.
Compassionate reasons for travelling include:
- you are seriously ill
- a family member or friend is seriously ill or has died
- you - or someone you care for - need to travel abroad for medical treatment that is not available in the UK and cannot be delayed
Attach a scan or photo of a letter confirming the reason for your travel. The letter must:
- be from a doctor or hospital
- be on headed paper
- be in English, or be accompanied by a certified translation
- include your name
- include, where relevant, the name of the sick or dead person and their relationship to you
You can send a death certificate but it must be accompanied by the letter confirming the reason for your travel.
Where to send your supporting email
Send your email with supporting evidence to the Home Office travel document enquiries team.
Put ‘New application enquiry – urgent compassionate case’ and your name in the subject line.
Home Office travel document enquiries
traveldocumentenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk