Claim refugee status from in Canada: How to apply

If you make a claim and you’re not eligible or you’re not in Canada right now, we will refuse your application.

You’re outside Canada

You can’t submit a refugee claim from outside Canada.

Check your eligibility

Before you make a claim, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements.

On this page

• How to make a refugee claim
• Get a work or study permit while waiting for a decision on your refugee claim

How to make a refugee claim

You must be in Canada to make your refugee claim. You can make your claim in 1 of 2 ways:

• in person (when you arrive in Canada at a port of entry)
• online (when you’re already in Canada)

The information you share in your claim will help us understand

• your background
• your family
• why you want to make a refugee claim

When you make your claim, you can request a work permit at the same time.

To find out how to make your refugee claim, answer some questions about your situation.

Make your claim when you arrive in Canada

You can make a claim for refugee protection at any port of entry when you arrive in Canada. This means an airport, seaport or land border.

A Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer will ask you to complete the required application forms when you arrive. Normally, you’ll complete the forms at the port of entry.

While at the port of entry, the officer will also

• ask you questions about your situation
• collect your documentation and proof of identity
• take your fingerprints and photo (biometrics)

If the officer decides your refugee claim is eligible

The officer will give you

• a refugee protection claimant document (RPCD), which will help you get access to the Interim Federal Health Program and other services in Canada
• a confirmation of referral letter, which confirms your claim has been referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB)
• a basis of claim form
• instructions about completing your medical exam

You have 15 calendar days to complete the basis of claim form and submit it to the IRB’s Refugee Protection Division office listed on your confirmation of referral letter.

If the officer tells you to come back for an interview

The officer will give you

• an information pamphlet
• an acknowledgement of claim letter (which will help you get access to the Interim Federal Health Program and other services in Canada)
• instructions about completing your medical exam

You may have to return to the port of entry or go to an inland office for your interview.

The officer may also tell you to submit your refugee claim online. If you’re told to complete your claim online, the officer will give you instructions.

To complete your claim, you’ll need your

• application number
• UCI
• date of birth

You'll find these on your

• acknowledgement of claim letter
• refugee protection claimant document

If you need help completing your claim online, use the application guide.

Submit your claim online from in Canada

If you’re already in Canada:

1. You must submit a claim for yourself and any family members claiming with you at the same time.
   • Choose “Yes” when you’re asked if you want to apply for more than 1 person.
   • You’ll complete separate claims in the portal for each family member.
   • When you’re done the claims, submit them all together.
2. Use common characters in your answers and file names in the portal to avoid any issues. Common characters allowed in the portal include:
   • numbers (0-9)
   • the 26 letters of the Roman alphabet (a-z and A-Z)
   • some accents and special characters
   • hyphens, periods and apostrophes
   • spaces

Before you start

Before starting your claim, make sure you have a scanner or camera ready to create electronic copies of your documents.

For each person making a claim (yourself and your family), you’ll

• answer questions in the online application
• fill out and upload a copy of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada’s basis of claim form
• provide a copy of the passport (in some cases, you may not be asked for this)

You’ll also be able to upload copies of other documents to support your claim.

Depending on your situation, you can

• submit your own refugee claim online
• get your representative to help you

Submit your claim in the IRCC portal

Follow these steps to submit your claim.

1. Get an invitation code

If it’s your first time using the IRCC portal, you need an invitation code to create an account. We’ll ask for your email and send you a code that you can use to sign up.

2. Sign up for a portal account

After we send you your invitation code, use it to create your portal account.

3. Complete the online form

If you need help completing your claim online, use the application guide.

Once you sign in, choose “Make a refugee claim”.

Answer all the questions in the form. When you’re done, you’ll get a list of documents to upload. If your family members are making claims with you, make a separate claim for each of them (and submit them all together).

From the day you start your claim, you’ll have 90 days to complete and submit it.

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