Can You Travel Internationally During Your Asylum Case?

Last updated: 15 October 2026

Photo: Travel - Rosanetur

Can you travel during asylum? This is one of the most common questions asylum seekers ask. The short answer is: it is extremely risky. Leaving the country while your asylum case is pending can seriously harm your claim. In some cases, it can end your case completely. This guide explains the rules on travel during asylum in the UK, the US, and Canada. It also explains what counts as travel, what exceptions exist, and how to stay safe while your case is decided.[1]

Many asylum seekers do not realise how strict the rules are. Even a short trip abroad can raise serious questions about your need for protection. Consequently, understanding these rules before you make any travel plans is essential. For more general guidance on the asylum process, see our asylum guide.

UK Rules: Travel During Asylum Is Generally Not Allowed

In the United Kingdom, the rules on travel during asylum are very strict. When you claim asylum, the Home Office usually takes your passport. This is called "surrendering" your travel documents. Without a passport, you cannot legally leave the country. The Home Office does this on purpose. They want to make sure you stay in the UK while your case is being decided.[2]

If you leave the UK while your asylum claim is pending, the Home Office may treat this as you "abandoning" your claim. This means they could stop processing your case entirely. Furthermore, if you are receiving asylum support (such as housing or money from the government), the Home Office can withdraw this support if you leave the country.

There are also reporting conditions. Many asylum seekers must report to the Home Office regularly. This could be weekly or monthly. If you miss a reporting date because you are abroad, this counts against you. Moreover, the Home Office may issue an arrest warrant if you fail to report. Therefore, travelling outside the UK during your asylum case is something you should avoid completely unless you have very strong reasons and written permission.

A person who leaves the United Kingdom while their asylum claim is pending may be treated as having withdrawn that claim.
UK Immigration Rules, Part 11, Paragraph 333C

US Rules: Advance Parole and Form I-131

In the United States, the rules are slightly different but equally strict. If you are an asylum seeker, you must get approval from USCIS before you travel outside the country. This approval is called "advance parole." You apply for it using Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document).[3]

Advance parole is not easy to get. You must show a good reason for travelling, such as a serious family emergency. USCIS takes several months to process these applications. Additionally, having advance parole does not guarantee that you will be allowed back into the US. When you return, a border officer decides whether to let you in.

The most important rule in the US is this: if you travel back to your home country, USCIS will assume that you no longer fear persecution there. This creates a legal "presumption" that your asylum claim is not genuine. As a result, your case will almost certainly be denied. This rule applies even if you had advance parole. Travelling to your home country while claiming asylum is one of the most damaging things you can do to your case.[4]

Canada Rules: Travel During Asylum

Canada has its own set of rules for asylum seekers who want to travel. Asylum claimants in Canada do not usually have their passports taken away. However, you still need permission to travel outside Canada. You can apply for a Refugee Travel Document, but this is normally only available after you receive refugee status.[5]

While your claim is pending, leaving Canada without permission from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) is very risky. If you leave, the IRB may declare your claim "abandoned." This means your hearing will be cancelled and your case will be closed. Consequently, you must attend all scheduled hearings and follow all conditions set by the IRB.

Travel Rules Comparison: UK vs US vs Canada

Other countries follow the same basic approach. In Germany, an asylum applicant holds an Aufenthaltsgestattung (permission to stay during the asylum procedure), which is not a travel document. Under section 33(3) of the German Asylum Act, a trip to the country of origin during the procedure means the claim is treated as withdrawn. In France, the attestation de demande d'asile only allows you to stay in France while OFPRA decides your claim, and it does not let you travel abroad. In Australia, most applicants hold a Bridging Visa A or E. These visas end when you leave Australia, so a separate Bridging Visa B is needed to travel and return.

What Counts as "Travel" During Asylum?

It is important to understand what counts as travel during asylum. The main concern is leaving the country where you made your asylum claim. This includes any international travel, even if it is just passing through another country (transit). For example, if you are in the UK and you take a flight that stops in France, you have left the UK. This could affect your asylum claim.[6]

Short trips to neighbouring countries also count. A day trip from the UK to Ireland, or from the US to Mexico, is still international travel. It does not matter how short the trip is. What matters is that you left the country where your claim is being processed. Therefore, avoid any travel that takes you across a national border.

Exceptions: When Travel May Be Allowed

There are very few exceptions to the travel restrictions for asylum seekers. However, in rare cases, travel may be permitted. In the US, advance parole can be granted for serious reasons. These include medical emergencies that require treatment abroad, the death or serious illness of a close family member, and urgent humanitarian reasons.[7]

In the UK, exceptions are extremely rare. You would need to contact the Home Office in writing and explain why travel is absolutely necessary. Even then, approval is not guaranteed. In Canada, you must contact the IRB and get written permission before leaving. In all cases, you should get legal advice from a qualified lawyer before making any plans to travel. An immigration expert can help you understand the risks.

Can You Travel Within the Country?

The good news is that travel within the country is generally allowed. In the UK, asylum seekers can move around freely within England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You do not need permission to take a bus or train to another city. However, you must continue to meet your reporting conditions. If you must report in London every week, you cannot move to Manchester without telling the Home Office first.[8]

In the US, asylum seekers can travel freely within all 50 states. There are no internal travel restrictions. However, you must attend all court hearings and any appointments with USCIS. Similarly, in Canada, you can move within the country but must attend all IRB hearings. For more details about daily life during the asylum process, visit our asylum life section.

Reporting Requirements While Travelling Internally

Even when you travel within the country, you must follow your reporting requirements. In the UK, many asylum seekers must sign in at a Home Office reporting centre. This could be weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. Missing a reporting date is serious. The Home Office may think you have absconded (run away). As a result, they could issue an arrest warrant.[9]

In the US, you must attend all scheduled court hearings. If you miss a hearing, the immigration judge can order you removed "in absentia." This means you are ordered deported without being present. Furthermore, if you move to a different state, you must update your address with the immigration court within five days using Form EOIR-33. Failing to update your address can result in you missing important notices about your case.

If you plan to move to a different part of the country, always tell your lawyer first. Also, contact the relevant immigration authority to change your reporting location. This is especially important in the UK, where the Home Office may transfer your case to a different region. For help understanding your rights as an asylum seeker, explore our resources.

After a Grant: Travel and Cessation of Refugee Status

The risks do not end when you receive refugee status. Article 1C of the 1951 Refugee Convention lists situations in which refugee status ends, which is called cessation. Under Article 1C(4), status can end if a refugee has "voluntarily re-established" themselves in their country of origin. Under Article 1C(1), it can end if they voluntarily accept the protection of that country again, for example by applying for or travelling on a national passport.

In Hoxha v SSHD [2005] UKHL 19, the House of Lords held that the cessation clauses apply only to people who have already been recognised as refugees. For people still waiting for a decision, a trip home is treated as evidence that they do not fear persecution, as explained above.

Conclusion

Travel during asylum is one of the biggest risks you can take while your case is pending. In the UK, US, and Canada, leaving the country without proper permission can lead to your claim being withdrawn or abandoned. Travelling to your home country is especially dangerous and can permanently destroy your case. Always follow your reporting requirements, attend all hearings, and stay within the country where you claimed asylum. If you have an emergency that requires travel, get written permission and legal advice first. Protecting your asylum claim means staying put until your case is decided. For a complete guide to navigating the asylum process, see our asylum guide.

Travel back to the country of origin can damage a claim, and an expert may need to explain any trip in context; use our expert witness finder to find one for the relevant country.