1. Understand the importance of the BOC

The Basis of Claim (BOC) form is a very important document. It is reviewed to decide if your refugee claim should be accepted.

You can also write out your story in more detail on a separate sheet and attach it to your BOC. That's called a narrative. In the BOC and narrative, you must show that you meet the definition of a Convention Refugee or .

If any information in the BOC and narrative is missing, not true, or different from other information, the (RPD) could refuse your claim.

Information must be consistent

An RPD Member will review your BOC and narrative and check if the information is consistent. They will compare your BOC and narrative to the you provided, and other information in your immigration file. Your immigration file may include:

your application forms or online portal submission
your past interview answers including from your eligibility interview
any previous applications you made in Canada such as for a work permit or visitor visa

If you made a previous refugee claim or immigration application in another country, the RPD might also get that information and review it as part of your current claim.

The Member will also compare all this information to what you say at your refugee hearing. You will be asked questions about what you wrote in your BOC and narrative, and about your evidence.

If there are differences

If your is different from the information in your BOC, narrative, or immigration file, the Member might not believe you're telling the truth. That can also happen if the information in your BOC or narrative is different from:

what you said to the officer when you made your refugee claim
evidence you submitted, for example a medical or police report
something in your immigration file or a refugee claim in another country

The Member will give you a chance to explain any differences. The Member will look at what the difference is and whether your testimony adds more detail to what you already said or if you're saying something new.