In Canada refugee claimants
Eligibility
Persons who is in need of protection or who are convention refugee can apply for the refugee protection in Canada. The applicant must meet the eligibility requirements. If the applicant makes an application at the port of entry, meaning the Canadian airports or land boarder, or at the inland offices, must be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada by an officer. Then IRB decides who is a convention refugee or person in need of protection.
The following persons can make refugee claims in Canada.
Convention refugees are outside their home country or the country they normally live in. They’re not able to return because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on
Race
Religion
Political opinion
Nationality
being part of a social group, such as women or people of a particular sexual orientation
A person in need of protection is a person in Canada who can’t return to their home country safely. This is because, if they return, they may face
danger of torture
risk to their life
risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment
Your refugee claim may not be eligible to be referred to the IRB if you
are recognized as a Convention refugee by another country that you can return to
were granted protected person status in Canada
arrived via the Canada–United States (US) border (conditions apply)
are not admissible to Canada on security grounds or because of criminal activity or human rights violations
made a previous refugee claim that was not found eligible
made a previous refugee claim that was rejected by the IRB
abandoned or withdrew a previous refugee claim
Apply at a port of entry
You can apply for refugee status at any port of entry when you arrive in Canada. This means an airport, seaport or land border.
We’ll give you the application package when you arrive if you don’t already have it.
If the officer decides your refugee claim is eligible:
The officer will give you a Confirmation of Referral letter and a Basis of Claim form
- The Confirmation of Referral letter confirms that we referred your claim to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB)
After the referral is done, the IRB will give opportunities to provide evidences that supports your refugee claims. There will be a hearing at the tribunal before a decision is rendered.
Apply at an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office
You can make a refugee claim in Canada at some IRCC offices. The process is:
Complete all forms in the application package.
Bring them with you to an IRCC office that accepts refugee claims.
An immigration officer will check that your application is complete. If the application is complete, then the officer will:
schedule for an interview
give an acknowledgement of claim letter
give instructions to complete your immigration medical examination
At the interview, IRCC will review your application and decide if you’re eligible to claim refugee status. After the interview, it will give you a refugee protection claimant document. If you’re eligible, we’ll also give you a confirmation of referral letter that confirms we referred your claim to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) of Canada.