INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION ACT 2026

• (a) the condition of refugees,

• (b) the implementation of this Convention, and

• (c) laws, regulations and decrees which are, or may hereafter be, in force relating to refugees.

Article 36

Information on national legislation

The Contracting States shall communicate to the Secretary-General of the United Nations the laws and regulations which they may adopt to ensure the application of this Convention.

Article 37

Relation to previous Conventions

Without prejudice to article 28, paragraph 2, of this Convention, this Convention replaces, as between parties to it, the Arrangements of 5 July 1922, 31 May 1924, 12 May 1926, 30 June 1928 and 30 July 1935, the Conventions of 28 October 1933 and 10 February 1938, the Protocol of 14 September 1939 and the Agreement of 15 October 1946.

Chapter VII

FINAL CLAUSES

Article 38

Settlement of disputes

Any dispute between parties to this Convention relating to its interpretation or application, which cannot be settled by other means, shall be referred to the International Court of Justice at the request of any one of the parties to the dispute.

Article 39

Signature, ratification and accession

Article 40

Territorial application clause

Article 41

Federal clause

In the case of a Federal or non-unitary State, the following provisions shall apply:

• (a) With respect to those articles of this Convention that come within the legislative jurisdiction of the federal legislative authority, the obligations of the Federal Government shall to this extent be the same as those of Parties which are not Federal States;

• (b) With respect to those articles of this Convention that come within the legislative jurisdiction of constituent States, provinces or cantons which are not, under the constitutional system of the federation, bound to take legislative action, the Federal Government shall bring such articles with a favourable recommendation, to the notice of the appropriate authorities of States, provinces or cantons at the earliest possible moment;

• (c) A Federal State Party to this Convention shall, at the request of any other Contracting State transmitted through the Secretary-General of the United Nations, supply a statement of the law and practice of the Federation and its constituent units in regard to any particular provision of the Convention showing the extent to which effect has been given to that provision by legislative or other action.

Article 42

Reservations

Article 43

Entry into force

Article 44

Denunciation

Article 45

Revision

Article 46

Notifications by the Secretary-General of the United Nations

The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inform all Members of the United Nations and non-member States referred to in article 39:

• (a) of declarations and notifications in accordance with Section B of article 1;

• (b) of signatures, ratifications and accessions in accordance with article 39;

• (c) of declarations and notifications in accordance with article 40;

• (d) of reservations and withdrawals in accordance with article 42;

• (e) of the date on which this Convention will come into force in accordance with article 43;

• (f) of denunciations and notifications in accordance with article 44; (g) of requests for revision in accordance with article 45.

In faith whereof the undersigned, duly authorised, have signed this Convention on behalf of their respective Governments,

Done at Geneva, this twenty-eighth day of July, one thousand nine hundred and fifty-one, in a single copy, of which the English and French texts are equally authentic and which shall remain deposited in the archives of the United Nations, and certified true copies of which shall be delivered to all Members of the United Nations and to the non-member States referred to in article 39.

SCHEDULE

Paragraph 1

Paragraph 2

Subject to the regulations obtaining in the country of issue, children may be included in the travel document of a parent or, in exceptional circumstances, of another adult refugee.

Paragraph 3

The fees charged for issue of the document shall not exceed the lowest scale of charges for national passports.

Paragraph 4

Save in special or exceptional cases, the document shall be made valid for the largest possible number of countries.

Paragraph 5

The document shall have a validity of either one or two years, at the discretion of the issuing authority.

Paragraph 6

Paragraph 7

The Contracting States shall recognize the validity of the documents issued in accordance with the provisions of article 28 of this Convention.

Paragraph 8

The competent authorities of the country to which the refugee desires to proceed shall, if they are prepared to admit him and if a visa is required, affix a visa on the document of which he is the holder.

Paragraph 9

Paragraph 10

The fees for the issue of exit, entry or transit visas shall not exceed the lowest scale of charges for visas on foreign passports.

Paragraph 11

When a refugee has lawfully taken up residence in the territory of another Contracting State, the responsibility for the issue of a new document, under the terms and conditions of article 28, shall be that of the competent authority of that territory, to which the refugee shall be entitled to apply.

Paragraph 12

The authority issuing a new document shall withdraw the old document and shall return it to the country of issue if it is stated in the document that it should be so returned; otherwise it shall withdraw and cancel the document.

Paragraph 13

Paragraph 14

Subject only to the terms of paragraph 13, the provisions of this Schedule in no way affect the laws and regulations governing the conditions of admission to, transit through, residence and establishment in, and departure from, the territories of the Contracting States.

Paragraph 15

Neither the issue of the document nor the entries made thereon determine or affect the status of the holder, particularly as regards nationality.

Paragraph 16

The issue of the document does not in any way entitle the holder to the protection of the diplomatic or consular authorities of the country of issue, and does not confer on these authorities a right of protection.

ANNEX

Specimen Travel Document

The document will be in booklet form (approximately 15 x 10 centimetres).

It is recommended that it be so printed that any erasure or alteration by chemical or other means can be readily detected, and that the words “Convention of 28 July 1951” be printed in continuous repetition on each page, in the language of the issuing country.

(Cover of booklet)	(Cover of booklet)	(Cover of booklet)	(Cover of booklet)
TRAVEL DOCUMENT	TRAVEL DOCUMENT	TRAVEL DOCUMENT	TRAVEL DOCUMENT
(Convention of 28 July 1951)	(Convention of 28 July 1951)	(Convention of 28 July 1951)	(Convention of 28 July 1951)
			No.
(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
TRAVEL DOCUMENT	TRAVEL DOCUMENT	TRAVEL DOCUMENT	TRAVEL DOCUMENT
(Convention of 28 July 1951)	(Convention of 28 July 1951)	(Convention of 28 July 1951)	(Convention of 28 July 1951)
This document expires on	This document expires on	This document expires on	This document expires on
unless its validity is extended or renewed.	unless its validity is extended or renewed.	unless its validity is extended or renewed.	unless its validity is extended or renewed.
Name	Name	Name	Name
Forename(s)	Forename(s)	Forename(s)	Forename(s)
Accompanied by	Accompanied by	Accompanied by	child (children)
1. This document is issued solely with a view to providing the holder with a travel document which can serve in lieu of a national passport. It is without prejudice to and in no way affects the holder’s nationality.	1. This document is issued solely with a view to providing the holder with a travel document which can serve in lieu of a national passport. It is without prejudice to and in no way affects the holder’s nationality.	1. This document is issued solely with a view to providing the holder with a travel document which can serve in lieu of a national passport. It is without prejudice to and in no way affects the holder’s nationality.	1. This document is issued solely with a view to providing the holder with a travel document which can serve in lieu of a national passport. It is without prejudice to and in no way affects the holder’s nationality.
2. The holder is authorised to return to	2. The holder is authorised to return to	2. The holder is authorised to return to	2. The holder is authorised to return to
			[state here the country whose authorities are issuing the document]
on or before			unless some later date is hereafter specified.
[The period during which the holder is allowed to return must not be less than three months.]	[The period during which the holder is allowed to return must not be less than three months.]	[The period during which the holder is allowed to return must not be less than three months.]	[The period during which the holder is allowed to return must not be less than three months.]
3. Should the holder take up residence in a country other than that which issued the present document, he must, if he wishes to travel again, apply to the competent authorities of his country of residence for a new document. [The old travel document shall be withdrawn by the authority issuing the new document and returned to the authority which issued it.]^1	3. Should the holder take up residence in a country other than that which issued the present document, he must, if he wishes to travel again, apply to the competent authorities of his country of residence for a new document. [The old travel document shall be withdrawn by the authority issuing the new document and returned to the authority which issued it.]^1	3. Should the holder take up residence in a country other than that which issued the present document, he must, if he wishes to travel again, apply to the competent authorities of his country of residence for a new document. [The old travel document shall be withdrawn by the authority issuing the new document and returned to the authority which issued it.]^1	3. Should the holder take up residence in a country other than that which issued the present document, he must, if he wishes to travel again, apply to the competent authorities of his country of residence for a new document. [The old travel document shall be withdrawn by the authority issuing the new document and returned to the authority which issued it.]^1
(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)
(2)	(2)	(2)	(2)
Place and date of birth	Place and date of birth	Place and date of birth	Place and date of birth
Occupation	Occupation	Occupation	Occupation
Present residence	Present residence	Present residence	Present residence
*Maiden name and forename(s) of wife	*Maiden name and forename(s) of wife	*Maiden name and forename(s) of wife	*Maiden name and forename(s) of wife
*Name and forename(s) of husband	*Name and forename(s) of husband	*Name and forename(s) of husband	*Name and forename(s) of husband
Description	Description	Description	Description
Height	Height	Height	Height
Hair	Hair	Hair	Hair
Colour of eyes	Colour of eyes	Colour of eyes	Colour of eyes
Nose	Nose	Nose	Nose
Shape of face	Shape of face	Shape of face	Shape of face
Complexion	Complexion	Complexion	Complexion
Special peculiarities	Special peculiarities	Special peculiarities	Special peculiarities
Children accompanying holder	Children accompanying holder	Children accompanying holder	Children accompanying holder
Name	Forename(s)	Place and date of birth	Sex
(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)
(3)	(3)	(3)	(3)
Photograph of holder and stamp of issuing authority	Photograph of holder and stamp of issuing authority	Photograph of holder and stamp of issuing authority	Photograph of holder and stamp of issuing authority
Finger-prints of holder (if required) Signature of holder	Finger-prints of holder (if required) Signature of holder	Finger-prints of holder (if required) Signature of holder	Finger-prints of holder (if required) Signature of holder
(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)
(4)	(4)	(4)	(4)
1. This document is valid for the following countries:	1. This document is valid for the following countries:	1. This document is valid for the following countries:	1. This document is valid for the following countries:
2. Document or documents on the basis of which the present document is issued:	2. Document or documents on the basis of which the present document is issued:	2. Document or documents on the basis of which the present document is issued:	2. Document or documents on the basis of which the present document is issued:
Issued at	Issued at	Issued at	Issued at
Date	Date	Date	Date
Signature and stamp of authority issuing the document:	Signature and stamp of authority issuing the document:	Signature and stamp of authority issuing the document:	Signature and stamp of authority issuing the document:
Fee paid	Fee paid	Fee paid	Fee paid
(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)
(5)	(5)	(5)	(5)
Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity
Fee paid:	Fee paid:	From
		To
Done at	Done at	Date
Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:	Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:	Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:	Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:
Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity
Fee paid:	Fee paid:	From
		To
Done at	Done at	Date
Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:	Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:	Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:	Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:
(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)
(6)	(6)	(6)	(6)
Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity
Fee paid:	Fee paid:	From
		To
Done at	Done at	Date
Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:	Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:	Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:	Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:
Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity
Fee paid:	Fee paid:	From
		To
Done at	Done at	Date
Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:	Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:	Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:	Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:
Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity	Extension or renewal of validity
Fee paid:	Fee paid:	From
		To
Done at	Done at	Date
Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:	Signature and stamp of authority extending or renewing the validity of the document:
(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)
(7-32)	(7-32)	(7-32)	(7-32)
Visas	Visas	Visas	Visas
The name of the holder of the document must be repeated in each visa.	The name of the holder of the document must be repeated in each visa.	The name of the holder of the document must be repeated in each visa.	The name of the holder of the document must be repeated in each visa.
(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)	(This document contains pages, exclusive of cover.)

SCHEDULE 2 Protocal Relating to the Status of Refugees Done at New York on 31 January 1967

The States Parties to the present Protocol,

Considering that the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees done at Geneva on 28 July 1951 (hereinafter referred to as the Convention) covers only those persons who have become refugees as a result of events occurring before 1 January 1951,

Considering that new refugee situations have arisen since the Convention was adopted and that the refugees concerned may therefore not fall within the scope of the Convention,

Considering that it is desirable that equal status should be enjoyed by all refugees covered by the definition in the Convention irrespective of the dateline 1 January 1951,

Have agreed as follows:

Article I

General provision

Article II

Co-operation of the national authorities with the United Nations

• (a) The condition of refugees;

• (b) The implementation of the present Protocol;

• (c) Laws, regulations and decrees which are, or may hereafter be, in force relating to refugees.

Article III

Information on national legislation

The States Parties to the present Protocol shall communicate to the Secretary-General of the United Nations the laws and regulations which they may adopt to ensure the application of the present Protocol.

Article IV

Settlement of disputes

Any dispute between States Parties to the present Protocol which relates to its interpretation or application and which cannot be settled by other means shall be referred to the International Court of Justice at the request of any one of the parties to the dispute.

Article V

Accession

The present Protocol shall be open for accession on behalf of all States Parties to the Convention and of any other State Member of the United Nations or member of any of the specialised agencies or to which an invitation to accede may have been addressed by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Article VI

Federal clause

In the case of a Federal or non-unitary State, the following provisions shall apply:

• (a) With respect to those articles of the Convention to be applied in accordance with article I, paragraph 1, of the present Protocol that come within the legislative jurisdiction of the federal legislative authority, the obligations of the Federal Government shall to this extent be the same as those of States Parties which are not Federal States;

• (b) With respect to those articles of the Convention to be applied in accordance with article I, paragraph 1, of the present Protocol that come within the legislative jurisdiction of constituent States, provinces or cantons which are not, under the constitutional system of the Federation, bound to take legislative action, the Federal Government shall bring such articles with a favourable recommendation to the notice of the appropriate authorities of States, provinces or cantons at the earliest possible moment;

• (c) A Federal State Party to the present Protocol shall, at the request of any other State Party hereto transmitted through the Secretary-General of the United Nations, supply a statement of the law and practice of the Federation and its constituent units in regard to any particular provision of the Convention to be applied in accordance with article I, paragraph 1, of the present Protocol, showing the extent to which effect has been given to that provision by legislative or other action.

Article VII

Reservations and Declarations

Article VIII

Entry into force

Article IX

Denunciation

Article X

Notifications by the Secretary-General of the United Nations

The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inform the States referred to in article V above of the date of entry into force, accessions, reservations and withdrawals of reservations to and denunciations of the present Protocol, and of declarations and notifications relating hereto.

Article XI

Deposit in the Archives of the Secretariat of the United Nations

A copy of the present Protocol, of which the Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, signed by the President of the General Assembly and by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, shall be deposited in the archives of the Secretariat of the United Nations. The Secretary-General will transmit certified copies thereof to all States Members of the United Nations and to the other States referred to in article V above.

Footnotes