Refugee claim in Canada: complete guide to the asylum process, IRB hearings, and pathway to permanent residence

Summary — A refugee claim in Canada is a formal request for protection under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). Claimants must demonstrate they are either Convention refugees (well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group membership) or Persons in Need of Protection (risk of torture, death, or cruel and unusual treatment). The process begins with eligibility screening by CBSA or IRCC (3 working days), referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), a hearing, and a decision. Approved claimants receive protected person status and can apply for permanent residence (PR). This guide covers the full process, hearing preparation, work permits, Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), and pathways to PR.

Who can claim refugee protection in Canada

You can make a refugee claim if you:

• Are inside Canada OR at a port of entry (airport, land border, marine port).
• Cannot return to your country of origin due to fear of persecution.
• Are NOT a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Have NOT been previously denied refugee protection in Canada.
• Are not subject to a removal order.

Two types of refugee status

1. Convention refugee

Defined under the 1951 Refugee Convention, you must demonstrate:

• Well-founded fear of persecution based on:
  • Race.
  • Religion.
  • Nationality.
  • Political opinion.
  • Membership in a particular social group (including LGBTQ+, gender-based violence survivors, family).
• Outside your country of nationality.
• Unable or unwilling to seek protection from your country.

2. Person in need of protection

Under Canadian law, broader than Convention:

• Risk of torture under the UN Convention Against Torture.
• Risk to life or risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.
• The risk must be personal and not faced by the entire population generally.

The refugee claim process

Step 1: Make the claim

At a port of entry

• Approach a CBSA officer at the airport or border.
• State that you wish to make a refugee claim.
• Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA): most claimants who arrive from the United States at a land border are turned back, with limited exceptions (family in Canada, unaccompanied minors, document holders).

Inside Canada

• Apply at an IRCC office or online via the Refugee Claimant Portal.
• Submit:
  • IMM 0008 form (Generic Application Form).
  • Schedule A — Background/Declaration.
  • Basis of Claim (BOC) form (within 15 days at port of entry, 60 days inland).

Step 2: Eligibility screening (3 days)

CBSA or IRCC determines if your claim is eligible for IRB referral. Reasons for ineligibility:

• Already a protected person in Canada.
• Recognized as a refugee in another country (where you can return).
• Came from a Safe Third Country (USA).
• Inadmissible for serious criminality, security concerns, organized crime.
• Previous claim rejected or abandoned.

Step 3: Refer to the IRB

If eligible, your claim is referred to the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the IRB.

Step 4: Prepare for the hearing

• Hire a lawyer or use Legal Aid (free in most provinces for refugee claimants).
• Gather evidence: identity documents, country condition reports (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch), medical reports, photos, threats received.
• Prepare witnesses (if applicable).
• Personalize your story: be specific about persecution.

Step 5: Attend the hearing

• Held in person or virtually (post-COVID).
• 30-90 minutes typically.
• You testify about your fear of persecution.
• IRB member asks questions (standardized + specific to your case).
• Counsel can present arguments.
• Interpreter provided if needed (free).

Step 6: Decision

• Positive decision: you become a protected person — entitled to PR application.
• Negative decision: you can:
  • Appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) within 15 days (limited grounds).
  • Apply for judicial review at Federal Court within 15 days.
  • Pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) within 15 days.
  • Humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) application if exceptional circumstances.

Step 7: Apply for permanent residence

• After approval, apply for PR within 180 days.
• No application fee for refugees.
• Includes spouse and dependent children.

Rights and benefits during the claim

Status

• Temporary status during the claim.
• Cannot be deported (during process).

Work permit

• Open work permit available immediately upon claim filing.
• Fee: $100 CAD.
• Work for any employer.

Healthcare (IFHP)

Interim Federal Health Program covers:

• Basic medical: doctor visits, hospital, lab tests.
• Prescription medications.
• Dental and vision (limited).
• Mental health (essential for trauma survivors).
• Emergency care.

Education

• Children: free public school enrollment.
• Adults: free language classes (LINC for English, CLIC for French).
• Post-secondary: variable provincial rules.

Social assistance

• Provincial welfare programs (Ontario Works, Manitoba EIA, BC Income Assistance).
• Monthly allowance for housing, food, basic needs.

Common pitfalls

Insufficient evidence

• Generic country reports are not enough — must be personal.
• Inconsistencies between BOC and testimony are scrutinized.
• Lack of identity documents: high credibility risk.

Late filing

• BOC forms must be filed within 15 days at port of entry, 60 days inland.
• Late filing can lead to abandonment.

Inadmissibility

• Criminal record, even minor, can be barrier.
• Misrepresentation in application = automatic ineligibility.

Timeline

• Eligibility screening: 3 working days.
• Hearing scheduling: 12-24 months from referral.
• Decision: usually within 4 months of hearing.
• PR application: after positive decision, 12-24 months.
• Total to PR: 2-4 years from initial claim.

Pathway to permanent residence

Once approved as protected person:

1. Apply for PR within 180 days.
2. Submit medical examinations, security checks, biometrics.
3. Wait 12-24 months for PR processing.
4. Receive PR confirmation and PR card.
5. Eligible for citizenship after 3 years (1,095 days) of physical presence as PR.

Special programs for high-volume groups

Ukrainian crisis (CUAET)

• Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel.
• Special temporary status (3 years).
• Path to PR via standard programs.

Afghan crisis (2021+)

• Special programs for Afghans, especially those who helped Canada.
• Resettlement of 40,000+ Afghans.

Syrian crisis (2015-2017)

• Resettled 65,000+ Syrians.
• Government-assisted (GAR) and privately-sponsored (PSR) programs.

Sudan (2024+)

• Special pathways for Sudanese refugees.

Key facts

• Two types: Convention refugee, Person in Need of Protection.
• Eligibility screening: 3 working days.
• BOC form: 15 days at port of entry; 60 days inland.
• Hearing: 12-24 months from referral.
• Decision: within 4 months of hearing.
• Open work permit: $100 CAD, available immediately.
• IFHP: full healthcare coverage.
• PR application: free for approved refugees.
• PR processing: 12-24 months.
• Total to PR: 2-4 years.
• Citizenship eligibility: 3 years after PR.
• Safe Third Country Agreement: most US-arriving claimants turned back at land border.
• Legal Aid: free or subsidized counsel in most provinces.
• Appeal rights: RAD, judicial review, PRRA.

Source attribution

This article rewrites public information published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/claim-protection-inside-canada.html. The original Government of Canada content is licensed under the Open Government Licence — Canada.

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Refugee claim rules and IRB procedures change. Verify before claiming at canada.ca.

IRCC.com is an independent news and information aggregator. We are not affiliated with the Government of Canada and do not provide immigration services or advice. For personalized assistance, contact a CICC-licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a Canadian immigration lawyer.