3. Prepare for your hearing
At your refugee hearing, you must give that shows:
- who you are,
- how you came to Canada,
- why you left your country, and
- how you meet the definition of a Convention Refugee or .
Your evidence includes the information in your Basis of Claim (BOC) form and what you say at your hearing.
If your hearing includes other family members or members of a particular group, such as co-workers, your lawyer should prepare for the hearing with all of you together. The Principal Claimant is usually the one to testify, but the Refugee Board may also ask to hear evidence from others whose claims have been joined.
Your evidence also includes the documents you give to the Refugee Board and any witnesses who testify at your refugee hearing. You don't have to use witnesses at your hearing but they can help support your claim.
Learn more about the evidence you need for your refugee hearing.
The Refugee Board compares your evidence to the evidence in your immigration file. For example, you might have a previous application for a study permit or visitor's visa, or a previous refugee claim or immigration application in another country.
You and your legal representative should make sure your evidence is accurate and you have explained any mistakes or differences. If any information is missing, not true, or different from other information, the Refugee Board could refuse your claim. You should also be aware of any differences in the refugee claims of other family or group members.
Learn more about how to prepare for your hearing and what happens at the hearing so that you're prepared to give testimony at your hearing. You can also register for a free “Ready Tour” session that gives more information about the hearing.
