Refugee

There are two ways to apply for refugee status in Canada:

1) Applying for Refugee Protection from within Canada

 You can apply for refugee status at any port of entry, such as an airport, seaport or land border. The officer you make your refugee claim to will decide if your claim is eligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). If your claim is eligible:

• You will be given a date for your IRB hearing.

• You will have fifteen (15) days to complete all of the forms in the application package and submit them to the IRB.

2) Applying for Refugee Protection from inside Canada

You can make a refugee claim in Canada at designated CIC offices. If you choose to apply at a CIC office, note that:

• You must have all of the forms in the application package completed and with you.

• You will not be scheduled for an interview with an immigration officer until you show CIC in person that you have completed all the forms.

If the officer decides that your refugee claim is eligible, you will be given a date for yourIRB hearing.

In general, refugee claims will be heard by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB)within 60 days. Note that if you come from a designated country of origin, your asylum claim will be processed faster.