Making a Refugee Claim

Everyone has the right to asylum. Canada has signed international treaties promising to uphold the rights of people seeking refugee protection.. A person seeking refugee protection in Canada is called a refugee claimant. A refugee claimant is someone who has fled their home country and is asking Canada for refugee protection because they fear risk of persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Refugee claimants have legal, temporary resident status in Canada.

The difference between resettled refugees (those who are being sponsored) and refugee claimants is that resettled refugees are determined by the Canadian government to be refugees before they come to Canada, while refugee claimants go through the process after they arrive here. As soon as resettled refugees arrive in Canada, they are granted permanent resident status while refugee claimants must wait for a decision on whether they are refugees after they have arrived. This process can take up to 2 years or more.

Individuals can make a refugee claim in Canada at a port of entry upon arrival or online through the Canadian Refugee Protection Portal if already in Canada. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officials will then determine if an individual is eligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board for a hearing.

If you are seeking asylum or making a refugee claim in Canada, click the IRCC link below and follow the guidelines carefully. You may want to find a legal representative to help you with the process. Please also refer to the section Resources for Refugee Claimants for more information.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/claim-protection-inside-canada/apply.html
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