Understand Refugee Protection in Canada

Who is a refugee?

The Canadian government says you are a refugee if you are not safe in your own country. If you go back, you may be harmed or lose your freedom because of who you are or what you believe. You must live somewhere else. 

Asking for refugee protection in Canada is called making a refugee claim. Even if you were treated badly in your country or it is a dangerous place, you may not be allowed to stay in Canada. You must show that you are a Convention Refugee or a Person in Need of Protection.

Convention Refugee

To be a Convention refugee, these six sentences must be true for you:

• If I return to my country, I will likely be treated very badly.
• I would be treated badly because of who I am or what I believe.
• I am honestly scared to return.
• I have good reason to be scared to live in my country.
• My government cannot protect me.
• I cannot live safely or reasonably in any other part of the country.

Person In Need of Protection

To be a person in need of protection, you must show show that 1 or 2 is true:

1. If I return to my country, the people who have power will likely torture me.

OR

2. If I return to my country, I could die or experience cruel treatment of punishment,

AND

• My government cannot protect me,
• I cannot live safely or reasonably in any other part of the country,
• I am at risk but not everyone in my country has this risk,
• I am not at risk only because my country wants to punish me for doing something that is a crime in Canada, and
• I am not at risk only because of poor health care in my country.

See Understand the Legal Definitions for more information.

Can I make a refugee claim?

The Canadian government will decide if you can make a refugee claim. It is important to understand who can make a claim. Get legal advice before you ask for refugee protection.

Who is not allowed

You might not be allowed to make a refugee claim in Canada if:

• You are a Convention refugee in another country that you can go to.
• You made a refugee claim in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand.
• You were already told by Canada that you cannot make a refugee claim.
• You made a refugee claim in Canada that was withdrawn, abandoned, or rejected.
• You have been identified as dangerous or a criminal, or you have broken human rights laws.
• You were already given status in Canada as a protected person.
• You were ordered by Canada to leave the country.
• At a United Staes-Canada land border, you could not enter because of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA).

The Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA)

If you enter Canada from the USA, an agreement between Canada and the United States called the STCA makes it hard to ask for refugee protection. The agreement says that you should make your refugee claim in the first safe country you enter. The STCA will apply to you if you cross into Canada at an official border crossing, or if you enter Canada between official border crossings and you make a refugee claim within 14 days of entering the country.

If you cross in Canada by land, you can only make a refugee claim if:

• You have a family member in Canada.
• You are a child under 19, travelling alone, and you do not have a parent or legal guardian in the United States.
• You have a valid Canadian visa, or a study or work permit.
• You are facing the criminal death penalty in the United States or in your country.
• You are stateless.
• You are a citizen of the United States.

A border official will ask you questions to see if you qualify for one of these exceptions. If you do qualify, you will be allowed to enter Canada. If you do not qualify for one of the exceptions, you might be sent back to the United States. If possible, speak to a lawyer or legal representative about other ways for you to try to stay in Canada.

See Safe Third Country Agreement for more information.

Overview of the refugee claim process

To stay in Canada, you must show the government that you are what Canada calls a refugee. This means you must show you are a Convention Refugee or a Person in Need of Protection. If you have status in more than one country, you must show that you are at risk in each one. You must also show that you are telling the truth about who you are and your story. You do this by gathering evidence and by being honest, clear, and detailed about what happened to you.

Start your refugee claim

The first step in making a refugee claim is to let the Canadian government know you want protection. There are two ways to do this. You must be in Canada. 

• If you are inside Canada: fill in an online form and give it to IRCC, or
• If you are at the border, airport, or detention centre: tell the CBSA officer that you want to make a refugee claim.

CBSA or IRCC decides if you are allowed to make a refugee claim in Canada. If you can, they send your claim to the IRB-RPD.

Your refugee claim hearing

You will have a hearing about your claim.

At your hearing, a person from the IRB-RPD (a Member) listens to your story and what your witnesses say. They look at your BOC Form, notes from IRCC or CBSA, and anything else that you gave them. 

After your refugee claim hearing

After your hearing, the IRB-RPD tells you if your refugee claim is accepted. If it is accepted, you can apply to become a permanent resident. If your claim is rejected, you might be able to appeal (ask for a review). Speak to a lawyer or legal representative to find out about your options. 

Role of IRCC

IRCC is responsible for administering Canada’s immigration programs.

If you start your refugee claim inside Canada, you give your application to IRCC.

IRCC will decide if you are allowed (eligible) to make a claim. If you are allowed, they will send your claim to the IRB-RPD.

IRCC is also responsible for:  

• Work permits
• Interim Federal Health Insurance
• Permanent residence applications

Role of CBSA

CBSA is responsible for enforcing Canada’s immigration laws.

If you start your refugee claim at a Port of Entry (land border, airport, or seaport) or from a detention centre, you tell a CBSA officer that you want to make a claim.

After talking to you, CBSA may decide that you can try to get protection in Canada. They help you start your claim. They tell the IRB-RPD that you are making a claim.

CBSA also:

• controls Canada’s borders and decides who can enter Canada
• removes refugee claimants who cannot stay in Canada.

CBSA can put you in jail if:

• they cannot be sure of who you are,
• they believe you are dangerous, or
• they believe you will not follow immigration laws.

If you are put in a detention centre, you have the right to a lawyer or legal representative. There will be a regular hearings to review your detention and decide if you can be released.

Role of the IRB

The IRB is responsible for making decisions on immigration and refugee matters.

After IRCC or CBSA decides you can make a refugee claim they will send your claim to the IRB. The IRB is the main government agency responsible for reviewing and deciding on your refugee claim. The IRB’s Refugee Protection Division (RPD) decides if you can get refugee protection in Canada.

The IRB-RPD:

• Reads your Basis of Claim (BOC) Form and your other documents and evidence
• Conducts your refugee hearing
• Decides whether to accept your refugee claim

The IRB has three other parts. You may also be involved with:

• Refugee Appeal Division (RAD)
• Immigration Division (ID)
• Immigration Appeal Division (IAD)

Keep your address up to date

Change your address with the IRB-RPD

There are two ways to give the IRB-RPD your new address or phone number:

• Fill in the Notification of Client Contact Information form, or
• Write a letter.

Be sure to include:

• Your new address, phone number, or email.
• Your name.
• Your IRB File Number or your Client ID (called your UCI Number). These are on any letters from the IRB or on your Refugee Protection Claimant Document.

You can send the form or letter to the IRB by mail, fax, or email.

Change your address with IRCC

To change your address with IRCC, go to the Webform and follow the steps to put in your new address.

Tips for filling in the Webform:

• Select “Change of Contact Information” where it says to put in your “type of application/enquiry.”
• Find your UCI number on your Refugee Protection Claimant Document or on any letters from IRCC.

Change your address with CBSA

If CBSA is involved in your refugee claim you need to keep your contact information up to date with them as well. An officer will give you instructions on how and where to update CBSA if your new contact information changes.