Paragraph 5 The document shall have a validity of not less than three months and not more than two years. Paragraph 6 1. The renewal or extension of the validity of the document is a matter for the authority which issued it, so long as the holder has not established lawful residence in another territory and resides lawfully in the territory of the said authority. The issue of a new document is, under the same conditions, a matter for the authority which issued the former document. 2. Diplomatic or consular authorities may be authorized to extend, for a period not exceeding six months, the validity of travel documents issued by their Governments. 3. The Contracting States shall give sympathetic consideration to renewing or extending the validity of travel documents or issuing new documents to stateless persons no longer lawfully resident in their territory who are unable to obtain a travel document from the country of their lawful residence. 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 stateless person 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 1. The Contracting States undertake to issue transit visas to stateless persons who have obtained visas for a territory of final destination. 2. The issue of such visas may be refused on grounds which would justify refusal of a visa to any alien. 26 1954 c o n v e n t i o n • stateless persons