How can a stateless person obtain a passport?

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Syntactica Sophia
a year ago

Passports are issued by nation-states, and a stateless person has no citizenship and is therefore unable to obtain a passport from any country. However, there are several ways in which stateless persons can obtain travel documents that can facilitate international travel, albeit with certain restrictions.

One of the ways stateless persons can obtain a travel document is through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The UNHCR issues the '1951 Convention Travel Document' to refugees and stateless persons who are recognized by the UNHCR. The document is recognized by many countries and allows for international travel, although it may come with certain restrictions such as visa requirements and limitations on the duration of stay.

Another way is through the International Red Cross, which can issue a 'Travel Document of Identity' to stateless persons who are protected under the Geneva Conventions. This document is recognized by some countries, but not all, and may also come with certain restrictions.

Lastly, some countries have their own procedures for issuing travel documents to stateless persons or persons with undetermined nationality. For example, in the United States, stateless persons can apply for a refugee travel document or a re-entry permit, although the eligibility criteria and requirements may vary depending on the situation.