4. Complete your Basis of Claim form and medical exam

If the officer decides that your refugee claim is eligible, you'll have 45 days after the eligibility interview to complete your Basis of Claim (BOC) Form and send it to the (RPD).

The Confirmation of Referral letter you received from the officer has:

the deadline to submit your BOC
the date you'll have an abandonment hearing if you do not submit your BOC on time

Your BOC is one of the most important documents in your claim.

It's important that a lawyer or other licensed representativelicensed representative helps you complete your BOC and represents you in your refugee claim.

Medical exam

Schedule a free refugee medical exam within 30 days. Find a doctor to do the exam from IRCC’s list of approved doctors.

Hearing date

After you submit your BOC, it can take time to get your refugee hearing date. The RPD sends a Notice to Appear with your hearing date, time, and location. The Notice may come by mail.

If you have a lawyer or licensed representative, the RPD sends all communications to them only.

Always update your address with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the RPD before you move.

The RPD can accept some less complex cases without a hearing. They send you a letter if they consider doing that in your case.

Gather evidence

Your evidence is due 10 days before your hearing. Ask your lawyer or licensed representative what you need and start gathering documents early.

It can take a long time to translate documents and have them reviewed. It's important that your lawyer or licensed representative reviews your portal submission and immigration forms, your eligibility interview notes, and any you plan to file.

They should also prepare you for your hearing and represent you at your hearing.

Social services

You can use your Refugee Protection Identity Document to enroll your children in school and get:

healthcare through the Interim Federal Health Program
social assistance