Travel document for refugees, stateless persons or foreigners

Some foreigners residing in Belgium can apply for a Belgian travel document which replaces the national passport that they may not be able to obtain from foreign authorities. A refugee, stateless person or foreigner travel document is valid for 2 years.

Recognised refugee or stateless person:

  • To have one's main residence on the territory of the City of Brussels
  • Have recognised refugee or stateless person status, without the words "Declares his/her name to be..." ("Déclare se nommer…")
  • Have indefinite right to remain: residence permit B, C, D or F, identity document for children under 12 years of age if one of the parents has one of the above-mentioned permits, or electronic foreigner's permit A (marked 'temporary residence') only in combination with refugee or stateless person status.
  • Be able to show a valid residence permit at the time of application and when collecting the travel document.

Foreigner without refugee or stateless person status:

Normally, you must hold a national passport issued by the relevant foreign authorities (embassy, consulate) or apply for one from them. Only in exceptional cases can you apply for a travel document for foreigners from your local authority. To do so, you must first request authorisation from the FPS Foreign Affairs.

  • Present the written authorisation from the FPS Foreign Affairs, a copy of which is sent to the local authorities, which is valid for 15 days.
  • To have one's main residence on the territory of the City of Brussels.
  • Identity and nationality established with certainty, without the words "Declares his/her name to be..." ("Déclare se nommer…")
  • Have indefinite right to remain: residence permit B, C, D or F, identity document for children under 12 years of age if one of the parents has one of the above-mentioned permits, or electronic foreigner's permit A (marked 'temporary residence') only in combination with subsidiary protection status.
  • Be able to show a valid residence permit at the time of application and when collecting the travel document.

  • Travel document application: at the counter, by appointment only (except for urgent and emergency applications)
  • Collection of travel documents: at the counter, no appointment necessary

  • Valid residence permit (see 'Conditions')
  • Old travel document or certificate of theft issued by the police (in case of loss, a declaration should be made at the counter)
  • No photo required, one will be taken directly at the counter (except for children under 4 years old)
  • In the case of foreigners without refugee or stateless person status only: written authorisation from the FPS Foreign Affairs

For the passport of a minor:

  • One passport photo for each child under 4 years of age (from 4 years of age, the photo is taken directly at the counter)
  • Residence permit of the parent accompanying the child and of each child aged 12 and over
  • Old travel document, if applicable, or certificate of theft issued by the police (in case of loss, a declaration should be made at the counter)

The child must be present at the time of application but need not be present to collect the document.

The child must be accompanied by the parent with whom he or she is registered. Failing this, the parent must give his or her written consent, together with a copy of both sides of his or her identity card or residence permit, to the other parent who also holds parental authority.

If the child is under guardianship: the judgement proving that the guardian can apply for a travel document for the child.

  • Standard application: 90 euros (adult) or 60 euros (under 18)
  • Urgent application: 260 euros (adult) or 230 euros (under 18)
  • Emergency application (only for recognised refugees and stateless persons): 320 euros (adult) or 290 euros (under 18). This travel document must be collected from the FPS Home Affairs (Rue des Colonies 11 - 1000 Brussels - also open on Saturday mornings). It is possible to order the emergency travel document directly from the FPS Home Affairs
  • Renewal following a 2nd loss/theft of the travel document within the last 36 months: 180 euros
  • Renewal following a 3rd loss/theft of the travel document in the last 36 months: 260 euros

  • Standard application: 8 working days for delivery to the Administrative Centre and 10 working days for collection from a liaison office
  • Urgent application: 1 working day for orders placed before 3 pm or 2 working days for orders placed after 3 pm
  • Emergency application (only for recognised refugees and stateless persons): 4 hours and 30 minutes for orders placed before 3:30 pm (the travel document must be collected from the FPS Home Affairs, Rue des Colonies 11 - 1000 Brussels)

Travel documents must be collected within 90 days of application, after which they will be destroyed. Once destroyed, a new application, subject to the same fees, will have to be submitted.

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