How do I make a refugee claim from inside Canada?
Updated April 10You can make your refugee claim online using the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal if you:
- are inside Canada, and
- are eligible to make a claim.
In the online portal, you answer questions about yourself and your refugee claim. You also upload your:
- travel and identity documents
- completed Basis of Claim (BOC) form
If any information is missing, not true, or inconsistent with other information you submit, your refugee claim might be refused.
Basis of Claim form
The BOC is one of the most important documents in your claim. In the BOC, you explain:
- why you need refugee protection, and
- how you meet the definition of a or a .
Because you're already inside Canada, it's important to make your refugee claim as soon as possible. If you wait too long, it might seem like you're not really afraid to return to your country.
In your BOC, you should explain anything that delayed you in:
- leaving your country after you decided to leave, and
- making a claim in Canada after you arrived.
Eligibility interview
After you submit your refugee claim, you'll have an eligibility interview where an immigration officer decides if you're eligible to make a refugee claim. The officer does not decide if your refugee claim is accepted.
If you're eligible, the officer sends your claim for a refugee hearing.
If you're not eligible, your refugee claim ends and you can never make another refugee claim in Canada.
Get legal help
You should get legal advice before making a refugee claim. Have a lawyer or other licensed representative:
- check that you're eligible to make a refugee claim
- help you complete your portal submission and BOC
- review your BOC, portal submission, and all other documents
If you're not eligible to make a refugee claim, get legal advice right away. In Step 5, read more about other options you might have to delay or prevent your removal.
