Refugee Protection in Canada (Asylum)
After reading below, click here to start your eligibility assessment.
Seeking asylum or refugee protection in Canada means requesting protection from Canada if, once inside Canada, you cannot return to your country of origin or the country where you normally live because you believe you will be persecuted for one or more of the following reasons:
- your race
- your religion
- your political opinion
- your nationality
- for belonging to a discriminated social group, such as women or people of a specific sexual orientation.
Furthermore, you must show that if you return to your country of origin you will face one or more of the following:
- danger of torture
- risk of death
- risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment
Once an application is submitted and during the waiting period until the final decision is made by the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), after the applicant testifies during their court hearing, asylum seekers have access to support from the Canadian government with subsidies for housing, food, transportation, health insurance and much more, as well as authorization to work and study in Canada.
You can make a refugee claim as soon as you arrive in Canada at a port of entry (airport, land border, or seaport). When you make your refugee claim, you will speak with a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer. They will ask you questions to see if you can make a refugee claim, take your fingerprints and photo, help you fill out forms or direct you to an online portal to fill out webforms. If the officer decides that you can make a refugee claim, they will send your claim to the Refugee Protection Division (RPD). The RPD will make a decision on your claim. The officer will give you a Refugee Protection Identity Document (RPID) (this document will help you get health care coverage and apply for a work permit or a study permit), a form saying that the officer has sent your claim to the RPD, and a Basis of Claim (BOC) form (you must complete and send the form directly to the RPD within 45 days).
If you are already inside Canada, you can make an initial claim via the IRCC, within the established deadlines, which may refer your claim to the IRB.
We provide free help submitting your initial claim and/or Basis of Claim to the appropriate departments.
There are other factors that determine your eligibility for this program. Start your eligibility assessment by clicking on the link above.