Australian Convention Travel Document

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Australian Convention Travel Document
Australian Titres de Voyage Cover.jpg
The front cover of an Australian biometric Convention Travel Document
Type Refugee travel document
Issued byFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
PurposeInternational travel document for refugees
Eligibility refugees reside in Australia
Expiration2 years (for holders of permanent protection visa)
2 years (for holders of temporary protection visa)
The bio-data page of an Australian CTD issued to a Chinese refugee. Australian Titres de Voyage Bio-data Page.jpg
The bio-data page of an Australian CTD issued to a Chinese refugee.

An Australian Convention Travel Document (CTD) is a biometric refugee travel document issued for international travel purpose by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to individuals recognised as refugees residing in Australia under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. [1] The CTD enables the holder to leave Australia, to travel outside Australia (with limitations) and to re-enter Australia. However, as a CTD is not a regular national passport, some problems may be encountered by the holder from time to time, at time due to non-familiarity of airline staff. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Eligibility

A holder of a permanent or temporary protection visa residing in Australia can apply for a CTD if he or she can demonstrate refugee status under the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. [1]

Use

Most countries accept Australian CTDs for visa issuance purposes, with the following exceptions:

As of 13 January 2016, Indonesia did not accept all non-passport documents including CTD for visa application. [5]

It is also reported that Taiwan did not accept Chinese nationals holding Australian CTD to apply for Taiwanese visa. [6]

Visa-free access or Visa-on-arrival

Since Australian CTD is not a regular national passport, most countries and territories require visas prior to arrival.

The following countries and territories provide visa-free access or visa on arrival:

Asia

Countries and territoriesEntry rightsNotes
Flag of Macau.svg  Macau Visa on arrival30 days maximum, [7] visa issued upon arrival for MOP100 [8]

Europe

Countries and territoriesEntry rightsNotes
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Visa not required90 days (require CTD valid for at least 4 months) [9] [10]
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Visa not required90 days [11] [12] [10]
Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia Visa not required [10]
Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia Visa not required [10]

Oceania

Countries and territoriesEntry rightsNotes
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Freedom of movementFor holders of Australian permanent visas only (according to Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement)

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travel visa</span> Authority to enter, stay in, or exit a territory

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Certificate of identity</span> Travel document issued by a country to non-citizens

A certificate of identity, sometimes called an alien's passport, is a travel document issued by a country to non-citizens residing within their borders who are stateless persons or otherwise unable to obtain a passport from their state of nationality. Some states also issue certificates of identity to their own citizens as a form of emergency passport or otherwise in lieu of a passport. The visa requirements of certificates of identity may be different from those of regular passports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport</span> Passports issued to Chinese citizens of Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China passport is a passport issued only to permanent residents of Hong Kong who also hold Chinese citizenship. In accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, since the transfer of sovereignty on 1 July 1997, the passport has been issued by the Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong under the authorisation of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China. As the official languages of Hong Kong are Chinese and English, the passport is printed bilingually in both Chinese and English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of Australia</span> Policy on permits required to enter Australia and its external territories

The visa policy of Australia deals with the requirements that a foreign national wishing to enter Australia must meet to obtain a visa, which is a permit to travel, to enter and remain in the country. A visa may also entitle the visa holder to other privileges, such as a right to work, study, etc. and may be subject to conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Macau Special Administrative Region passport</span> Passports issued to Chinese citizens of Macau

The Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of Chinapassport is a passport issued to Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of Macau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travel document</span> Identity document issued by a government or international entity

A travel document is an identity document issued by a government or international entity pursuant to international agreements to enable individuals to clear border control measures. Travel documents usually assure other governments that the bearer may return to the issuing country, and are often issued in booklet form to allow other governments to place visas as well as entry and exit stamps into them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Refugee travel document</span>

A refugee travel document is a travel document issued to a refugee by the state in which they normally reside in allowing them to travel outside that state and to return there. Refugees are unlikely to be able to obtain passports from their state of nationality and therefore need travel documents so that they might engage in international travel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of Taiwan</span> Policy on permits required to enter Taiwan (ROC)

Visitors to the Republic of China (Taiwan) must obtain a visa or authorization in advance, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries whose nationals are eligible for visa on arrival. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of Macau</span> Policy on permits required to enter Macau

The Government of the Macau Special Administrative Region allows citizens of specific countries/territories to travel to Macau for tourism or business purposes for periods ranging from 14 to 180 days without having to obtain a visa. For other entry purposes, such as establishing residence on a long-term basis, a different policy applies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of mainland China</span> Policy on permits required to enter Mainland China

Visitors to the mainland of the People's Republic of China must obtain a visa from one of the Chinese diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. The two Special Administrative Regions – Hong Kong and Macau – maintain their own independent border control policies and thus have their own separate visa requirements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of Hong Kong</span> Policy on permits required to enter Hong Kong

The visa policy of Hong Kong deals with the requirements in which a foreign national wishing to enter Hong Kong through one of the 15 immigration control points must meet to obtain an entry permit or Visa, which depending on the traveller's nationality, may be required to travel to, enter, and remain in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Visitors from over 145 countries are permitted without Visa entry for periods ranging from 7 to 180 days, to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for tourism or certain business-related activities. All visitors must hold a passport valid for more than 1 month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Macao Special Administrative Region Travel Permit</span>

The Macao Special Administrative Region Travel Permit is a biometric international travel document issued to non-permanent residents of Macau SAR holding Chinese nationality, who also possess a Macau SAR Non-Permanent Resident Identity Card, and are not eligible for any other type of travel document. Permanent residents of Macau of non-Chinese nationality are also eligible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of Canada</span> Policy on permits required to enter Canada

The visa policy of Canada requires that any foreign national wishing to enter Canada must obtain a temporary resident visa from one of the Canadian diplomatic missions unless they hold a passport issued by one of the 54 eligible visa exempt countries and territories or proof of permanent residence in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa requirements for Indonesian citizens</span> Administrative entry restrictions

Visa requirements for Indonesian citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed on citizens of Indonesia by the authorities of other states. As of August 2022, Indonesian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 72 countries and territories, ranking the Indonesian passport 76th in terms of travel freedom according to Henley Passport Index. Indonesia is also a part of ASEAN and has reciprocal visa-free access to these countries.


The visa policy of Malaysia consists of the requirements for foreign nationals to travel to, enter, and remain in Malaysia. Most visitors to Malaysia are granted visa-free entry for a period of 90, 30, or 14 days respectively. However, nationals from some countries must first obtain a visa from one of the Malaysian Diplomatic Missions before being allowed into the country. All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of Singapore</span> Policy on permits required to enter Singapore

The visa policy of Singapore deals with the requirements to enter Singapore. A foreign national, depending on their country of origin, must meet certain requirements to obtain a visa, which is a permit to travel, to enter and remain in the country. A visa may also entitle the visa holder to other privileges, such as a right to work, study, etc. and may be subject to conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japan Re-entry Permit</span>

The Japan Re-entry Permit (再入国許可書), is a travel document similar to a certificate of identity, issued by Japan's Ministry of Justice. It is a passport-like booklet with a light brown cover with the words "再入国許可書 RE-ENTRY PERMIT TO JAPAN" on the front.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of Lebanon</span> Policy on permit required to enter Lebanon

The visa policy of Lebanon deals with the requirements which a foreign national wishing to enter the Republic of Lebanon must meet to be permitted to travel to, enter and remain in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japan Refugee Travel Document</span>

The Japan Refugee Travel Document (難民旅行証明書), is a travel document issued by Japan's Ministry of Justice. It is a passport-like booklet with a dark blue cover with the words "難民旅行証明書 REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT" and two black diagonal lines in the upper left on the front.

References

  1. Questions over refugee holiday process after Syrian family blocked after leaving Australia
  2. Thailand Should Return Football Player Refugee To Australia, Not Bahrain
  3. Ryanair apologizes for preventing refugee from boarding flight
  4. "Tourist Visa". KONSULAT JENDERAL REPUBLIK INDONESIA UNTUK NEW SOUTH WALES, QUEENSLAND, DAN SOUTH AUSTRALIA BERKEDUDUKAN DI SYDNEY. 13 January 2016. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  5. "中國政治難民來台遭拒 致信小英盼解決". 自由時報 (in Chinese). 17 July 2016.
  6. "Entry and Exit of Non-residents - Limit of Stay Granted upon Arrival". Public Security Police Force (Macao).
  7. "Passports and Visas". Macao Government Tourism Office.
  8. "Short-term (Schengen) visas - for up to 90 days". German Missions in Australia. Archived from the original on 2017-05-02. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "8. Réfugiés et apatrides". Service public fédéral Intérieur (in French).
  10. "Countries that do not need a visa". Consular Services (Hungary).
  11. "Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001". EUR-Lex. 15 March 2001.