Refugee Travel Document in El Cajon: International Travel for Iraqi Refugees
Travel abroad as a refugee without risking your status in San Diego County
Quick Answer
El Cajon has the largest concentration of Iraqi refugees in the United States, with an estimated 30,000-40,000 Iraqi-born residents in the greater El Cajon area. This community, often called 'Little Baghdad,' includes Chaldean Christians, Sunni and Shia Muslims, Kurds, and other groups who fled violence, religious persecution, and political instability in Iraq. Many of these residents maintain family connections across the Middle East, Europe, and other parts of the world and need to travel internationally for family reunification, medical treatment, religious pilgrimages, or business purposes. The Refugee Travel Document (RTD) is the essential travel document that allows refugees and asylees to leave and reenter the United States without jeopardizing their protected status. Understanding the application process, restrictions, and legal risks is critical for every El Cajon refugee who needs to travel abroad.
Reviewed for accuracy by
Maria Santos
DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience
El Cajon has the largest concentration of Iraqi refugees in the United States, with an estimated 30,000-40,000 Iraqi-born residents in the greater El Cajon area. This community, often called 'Little Baghdad,' includes Chaldean Christians, Sunni and Shia Muslims, Kurds, and other groups who fled violence, religious persecution, and political instability in Iraq. Many of these residents maintain family connections across the Middle East, Europe, and other parts of the world and need to travel internationally for family reunification, medical treatment, religious pilgrimages, or business purposes. The Refugee Travel Document (RTD) is the essential travel document that allows refugees and asylees to leave and reenter the United States without jeopardizing their protected status. Understanding the application process, restrictions, and legal risks is critical for every El Cajon refugee who needs to travel abroad.
What is a Refugee Travel Document?
The RTD looks similar to a U.S. passport but is blue-gray in color and is clearly marked as a travel document rather than a passport. It is recognized by most countries as valid travel identification and allows you to pass through international borders. The document is valid for one year for refugees and asylees, or two years for lawful permanent residents who obtained their green card through refugee or asylee status.
For El Cajon's Iraqi refugee community, the RTD is the only safe way to travel internationally. Approximately 12,000-15,000 RTDs are issued annually by USCIS, and El Cajon residents account for a significant share of these applications. The filing fee is $135 for initial applications, and you must be physically present in the United States at the time of filing. You cannot apply for an RTD from abroad.
Who is Eligible for a Refugee Travel Document?
First, refugees admitted to the United States through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) are eligible. This includes the majority of El Cajon's Iraqi community who were resettled through the program. Your I-94 arrival record shows your admission as a refugee, and this documentation is required for the RTD application.
Second, asylees who were granted asylum by an immigration judge or a USCIS asylum officer are eligible. Whether you received affirmative asylum (applied proactively) or defensive asylum (granted during removal proceedings), you qualify for the RTD. Your asylum approval letter and any subsequent documentation of your status are required.
Third, lawful permanent residents who obtained their green card through refugee or asylee status are eligible for an RTD with a validity of two years. Even after receiving your green card, you should use an RTD rather than your home country's passport for international travel. Using an Iraqi passport after adjusting status through the refugee channel raises the same concerns about availing yourself of home country protection.
- •Refugees admitted to the U.S. through the Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)
- •Asylees granted asylum by an immigration judge or USCIS asylum officer
- •Lawful permanent residents who obtained status through refugee or asylee adjustment
- •Must be physically present in the United States at the time of filing
- •Must not have a final order of removal or deportation pending
- •Must not have abandoned refugee/asylee status through prior actions
Critical Warning: Do NOT Travel to Your Home Country
USCIS and immigration judges interpret travel to your home country as evidence that the conditions that caused you to flee have changed or that your fear was not genuine. This interpretation applies regardless of the reason for your travel - even visiting a dying family member in Iraq raises the risk of status revocation. USCIS has the authority to initiate proceedings to terminate your refugee or asylee status based on home country travel, and this termination affects your ability to maintain permanent residence and pursue citizenship.
The consequences of home country travel extend beyond status termination. If your green card application is pending, USCIS will deny it. If you have already obtained a green card through refugee adjustment, USCIS can seek to rescind your permanent resident status. If you have applied for naturalization, your citizenship application will be denied. The legal principle is clear and consistent: refugee and asylee protection is based on the inability to return safely to your home country, and voluntarily returning undermines that protection entirely.
For El Cajon Iraqi refugees who need to communicate with family in Iraq, use phone calls, video calls, and financial remittance services instead of traveling in person. If you have an extreme emergency involving a family member in Iraq, consult with an immigration attorney before making any travel decisions. There are extremely limited circumstances where home country travel does not result in status consequences, but these situations are rare and require careful legal analysis.
Required Documents for the I-131 Application
Gather all documents before beginning your application. Missing documents result in delays of 2-4 months while USCIS requests additional evidence. For El Cajon residents who have lived in the United States for many years, locating original arrival documentation from refugee resettlement can be challenging. If you cannot find your original I-94, request a copy from CBP through the I-94 website (i94.cbp.dhs.gov) or file a FOIA request with USCIS for your immigration file.
- •Form I-131, Application for Travel Document (completed, signed, and dated)
- •Two identical passport-style photographs (2x2 inches, white background, taken within 30 days)
- •Copy of I-94 showing refugee or asylee admission to the United States
- •Copy of refugee approval letter or asylum grant documentation
- •Copy of Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if applicable
- •Copy of green card (Form I-551) if you have adjusted to permanent resident status
- •Copy of any previously issued Refugee Travel Documents
- •Filing fee of $135 (check, money order, or credit card via G-1450)
- •Biometric services fee of $85 (if applicable based on age - applicants under 14 or over 79 are exempt)
- •Copy of valid identification (state ID, driver's license, or other government-issued photo ID)
Processing Times and Application Strategy
As of 2025, the typical processing timeline for a Refugee Travel Document follows the pattern below. Plan your application 4-6 months before your intended travel date to ensure you receive the document in time. Do not purchase airline tickets or make non-refundable travel arrangements until you have the RTD in hand.
| Step | Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Receipt Notice (I-797C) | 2-4 weeks after filing | Confirms USCIS received your application |
| Biometrics Appointment | 4-8 weeks after receipt | Fingerprinting at ASC (San Diego or El Cajon area) |
| Background and Security Checks | 2-4 months | FBI and intelligence agency clearances |
| Document Production | 3-5 months total | Physical RTD booklet printed and mailed |
| RTD Validity (Refugee/Asylee) | 1 year from issuance | Must return to U.S. before expiration |
| RTD Validity (Permanent Resident) | 2 years from issuance | Available after green card approval |
Traveling Safely with Your RTD
Before departing, make photocopies of every page of your RTD and store them separately from the original document. Keep a digital scan on your phone and in a secure cloud storage account. If your RTD is lost or stolen while abroad, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate immediately. The embassy can issue a boarding foil (temporary travel document) that allows you to return to the United States, but processing takes time and requires documentation of your status.
When returning to the United States, present your RTD to the CBP officer at the port of entry. The officer will review your document, verify your identity, and admit you to the country. Because the RTD identifies you as a refugee or asylee, the officer may ask additional questions about your trip. Answer truthfully about where you traveled, but remember that you are not required to discuss your immigration case in detail. If asked about your asylum claim or refugee status, you can state that you prefer to discuss those matters with your attorney.
Be aware that certain countries require visas for RTD holders that they do not require for passport holders. Before booking travel, confirm visa requirements for your destination country. Many European countries accept the RTD for short-term visits under the same rules that apply to U.S. passport holders, but countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa frequently have different requirements for RTD travelers. The destination country's embassy or consulate website provides current visa information for travel document holders.
Renewing Your Refugee Travel Document
File your renewal application (Form I-131) at least 4-6 months before your current RTD expires. There is no penalty for filing early, and having an overlap between your old and new documents ensures continuous travel ability. Use the same application process and document checklist as your initial application. The renewal filing fee is the same $135, plus the biometric fee if applicable.
If your RTD expires while you are in the United States, you simply file a new application. However, if your RTD expires while you are abroad, you face a serious problem: you have no valid travel document to reenter the United States. In this situation, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and request a transportation letter or boarding foil. This emergency document allows you to return to the U.S., but processing takes days to weeks and requires you to prove your refugee or asylee status. Avoid this situation by always returning to the United States well before your RTD expires.
RTD vs. Re-Entry Permit: Understanding the Difference
The Refugee Travel Document is specifically for individuals who obtained their immigration status through refugee or asylee channels. It is valid for 1-2 years and costs $135. The Re-Entry Permit is for permanent residents who plan to be outside the United States for more than one year but less than two years and want to preserve their permanent resident status. It is valid for 2 years and costs $630.
If you are a permanent resident who adjusted through refugee status and plan a short international trip (less than 6 months), use your RTD. If you plan to be abroad for 6-12 months, either the RTD or Re-Entry Permit works, but the Re-Entry Permit provides stronger evidence that you intend to maintain U.S. residence. If you plan to be abroad for more than one year, you need a Re-Entry Permit regardless of how you obtained your green card. Consult with an immigration professional to determine which document best fits your travel plans.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Q:Can I travel to Iraq with a Refugee Travel Document?
A: NO. Traveling to Iraq or any country where you claimed persecution is treated as evidence that you no longer fear persecution, which undermines the basis of your refugee or asylee status. USCIS has the authority to terminate your refugee status, deny your green card application, or rescind your permanent residence based on home country travel. Do not travel to Iraq under any circumstances without first consulting an immigration attorney.
Q:How long is the Refugee Travel Document valid?
A: The RTD is valid for 1 year for refugees and asylees, and 2 years for lawful permanent residents who obtained their green card through refugee or asylee adjustment. You must return to the United States before the document expires. File for renewal 4-6 months before expiration to ensure continuous travel ability.
Q:Can I renew my Refugee Travel Document from abroad?
A: No. You must be physically present in the United States to file Form I-131 for a new Refugee Travel Document. If your RTD expires while you are abroad, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for emergency travel documentation to return to the U.S. Plan your travel to ensure you return well before your RTD expires.
Q:Can I use my Iraqi passport instead of the RTD?
A: Using your Iraqi passport while holding refugee or asylee status signals to USCIS that you have availed yourself of your home country's protection, which contradicts the basis of your refugee claim. This action can result in termination of your refugee status. Always use your RTD for international travel, not your home country passport.
Q:What is the filing fee for the RTD?
A: The filing fee for Form I-131 (Refugee Travel Document) is $135. The biometric services fee is $85 for applicants between ages 14 and 79. Total cost is $220 for most applicants. Fee waivers are available for applicants who demonstrate financial hardship by filing Form I-912.
Q:How long does RTD processing take?
A: Current processing time is approximately 3-5 months from filing to document receipt. The timeline includes 2-4 weeks for receipt notice, 4-8 weeks for biometrics appointment, and 2-4 months for background checks and document production. File at least 4-6 months before your planned travel date.
Q:Can my children get a Refugee Travel Document?
A: Yes. Each family member who holds refugee or asylee status needs their own individual RTD. Children under 14 are exempt from the biometric fee ($85 savings). File separate I-131 applications for each family member who needs to travel, using the same supporting documentation for each application.
Need a Refugee Travel Document?
Our Arabic-speaking team helps El Cajon refugees and asylees apply for travel documents safely and correctly. We ensure your application is complete, advise you on travel restrictions, and protect your immigration status. Call (714) 421-8872 to get started.