FAQ

Every person is entitled to protection from persecution. Canada has recognized this basic human right since 1951 when it signed the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (the Geneva Convention). The right to life, liberty and security of the person is also enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

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The IRB decides who is a Convention Refugee or a person in need of protection. Convention Refugees are outside their home country or the country they normally live in. They are not able to return because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on:

»» race
»» religion
»» political opinion
»» nationality, or
»» membership in a social group, such as women or people of a particular sexual orientation.

A person in need of protection is a person in Canada who cannot return to their home country safely. This is because if they return, they would be subject to a:

»» danger of torture
»» risk to their life, or
»» risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.

Officers who review the initial refugee claim will decide if it will be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). The IRB is an independent board that decides immigration and refugee matters. For a list of refugee claims that may not be eligible to be referred to the IRB, refer to the IRCC webpage “Find out if you’re eligible – Refugee status from inside Canada.”

The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) has compiled comprehensive information about the refugee claim process in Canada: “Refugee Determination System: A practical guide.” This guide serves as an introduction to the process, including background information on Canada’s refugee claim system.

A refugee claim may be made at a Canadian port of entry or at an inland IRCC or CBSA office, at any time during the administrative or admissibility hearing process, provided a removal order has not been issued. Once in Canada, government agencies such as CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency) or IRCC (Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada) will screen the claimant’s identity to complete security checks. For those who cannot prove their identity or have criminal convictions for serious crimes, they will be held in detention until they can prove they are not a risk or they may be deported.

For applying for refugee status from inside Canada, visit the IRCC webpage for a complete list of steps.

UNHCR Canada has released an info-graphic on "What happens when you make an asylum claim at the border," along with an info-graphic on "Who can make an asylum claim at the border."

For information on irregular border crossings and refugee claims in Canada, visit the IRCC webpage on this topic.

In making a refugee claim, the case will be processed depending on how the individual arrives to Canada. The claimant will need to make a claim at the airport or at the office at the border crossing to CBSA. If arriving from the port of entry, CBSA will determine if a claim is eligible. If the claim is found eligible, the claimant will be given the following:

»» A refugee claimant identity document, which includes the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
»» A date for a refugee hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)
»» A basis of Claim (BOC) form to be completed in 15 days
»» A conditional removal order

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Once a refugee claimant has submitted the BOC and opened their refugee claim, they receive the Refugee Protection Claimant document. With that document they are able to do the Immigration Medical Exam (IME), receive the medical certificate and become eligible for provincial social assistance, a work permit, as well as a temporary social insurance number. Refugee claimants are eligible for IFHP that provides them with basic and supplemental health services including the coverage of one IME.

The BC Refugee Hub has released an info-graphic with a timeline of the Refugee Claim Process in BC.

The UNHCR has released an info-graphic on making an Asylum or Refugee Claim in Canada: UNHCR Canada: Making an asylum claim in Canada.

For help in making a refugee claim, what is involved and completing the proper paperwork, Settlement Orientation Services (SOS) in Vancouver can help with Orientation, Information and Referrals. SOS also helps with:

»» Assistance to navigate refugee claims
»» Immigration applications
»» Work permit process
»» Support with social assistance
»» Housing search support and referrals
»» Accessing health services and information
»» Community connections

For more detailed information on how to make a refugee claim and the specific forms needed, refer to the SOS webpage: How to Make a Claim.

SOS has released a short video on this topic: Overview of the Refugee Claim Process in BC.

IRB has also put together a Refugee Claim Toolkit which includes the following topics:

»» Making a Claim
»» Providing the Basis for your Claim
»» Gathering and submitting evidence
»» Attending your hearing
»» Receiving your decision

Currently, IRB hears most claims within 12 months (sometimes longer due to a backlog). IRB will provide the claimant with a hearing date. During this time, the claimant can prepare for the hearing with The Ready Tours (see below); SOS can support with weekly group sessions “Health and Settlement Orientation”; VAST provides the weekly group sessions “Getting Through It.”

The purpose of the hearing is to verify who the claimant is and why they need protection in Canada. The claimant will be asked questions about anything stated in their BOC and why they fear returning to their home country. They may also ask about how the claimant came to Canada. The hearing will last approximately 3.5 hours. Claimants have a right to legal counsel e.g. a lawyer, to represent them during the Refugee hearing. If the claimant does not speak English or French fluently, the IRB will provide an interpreter. By law, IRB hearings are held in private. The information shared by the claimant in the hearing will not be shared with the authorities of their home country. For more detailed information about this process, please refer to the SOS webpage: At the Hearing.

A resource for the refugee claim hearing is: Ready for my Refugee Hearing – Ready Tours Guide – This refugee hearing preparation guide is a step-by-step guide for refugee claimants. This guide is available in 11 languages. Also included is the Ready Tours, which provides refugee claimants the opportunity to tour a hearing room, understand the refugee hearing process and learn about the people involved.

IRB has released an informational video: An Introduction to Canada’s Refugee Determination System.

Once the hearing is completed, the claimant will receive a notice of decision. If the claim is accepted (a positive decision), the claimant receives the “protected person status” and can apply for permanent residency.

IRCC Application for Permanent Residence in Canada: Protected Persons and Convention Refugees.

Processing times vary significantly depending on the applicant’s country of origin. For Protected persons and Convention Refugees in Canada, the processing time is 32 months. For the most up-to-date processing times, visit the IRCC website.

If the claim is rejected, the claimant would have the right to remain in Canada while they apply for an appeal. During the appeal process, the claimant can continue to receive social assistance.

It is strongly recommended that the claimant seek legal counsel to look into options.

If the appeal is rejected, options include:

»» Judicial review at the federal court
»» PRRA or pre-removal risk assessment
»» Apply for humanitarian and compassionate consideration.

The IRB’s Appellant’s Guide is for individuals who are appealing decisions of the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).

IRB has released several information videos on the appeal process:

»» Part 1: An Introduction to Canada’s Refugee Appeal System
»» Part 2: How to appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD)
»» Part 3: How to Complete your Appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division

There are other resources listed on the CCR Refugee Determination Practical Guide.

It is very important that refugee claimants seek legal counsel as the process is complicated. Legal counsel can be found through legal aid offices when applicable or through other legal clinics and community resources. Many claimants will need to seek legal aid to cover the costs of being represented by a lawyer. Legal aid is a provincial jurisdiction. Claimants can apply for legal aid at the following organizations in BC:

»» Legal Services Society: Legal aid / 1-866-577-2525 / 604-408-2172 (Greater Vancouver)
»» Law Students’ Legal Advice Program: Free legal counsel / (604) 822-5791
»» Access Pro Bono Society: Free legal counsel / 1-877-762-6664 or 604-878-7400 (Greater Vancouver)

Yes, the refugee claimant have the right to work in Canada with a work permit. Refugee claimants can now apply for a work permit or study permit by checking a box in the revised Schedule 12. As of October 23, 2018, IRCC is using the information collected as part of the refugee claim process to automatically submit a work or study permit application for eligible refugee claimants who wish to receive one. The revised Schedule 12 provides (at question 10) a question asking whether the applicants want to apply for a work permit or study permit. If this box is checked:
- The application form for these permits is automatically generated. There is no need to submit a separate application form.
- The automatic application will be generated after their immigration medical examination has been completed by an IRCC-approved physician.
It is crucial that refugee claimants update their address with IRCC, either online or by calling the IRCC Client Support Centre (1-888-242-2100), to ensure their documents can be delivered without delay.
Claimants from a Designated Country of Origin - Refugee claimants who are citizens of a Designated Country of Origin must continue to wait 6 months from the date of their claim before they can submit an application for a work permit. Note: As of December 20, 2018, IRCC is still preparing information to post online about this new procedure.

Who can apply?

»» Claimants whose claim has been found eligible
»» Rejected refugee claimants
»» Individuals who have:
 ·· A positive judicial review
 ·· A positive Refugee Appeal Division decision
 ·· A positive decision on Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA)
 ·· An unenforceable removal order, including people whose claims are found ineligible but are eligible for PRRA
 ·· Been accepted under Humanitarian & Compassionate grounds

Refugee claimants with a claim in process and those found to be refugees do not pay a fee for the work permit. This also applies to those who have received a positive decision on a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment. However, rejected refugee claimants must pay the fees even if:

»» There is a pending appeal;
»» A decision has been made in Federal Court that refers them back to IRB;
»» They have been accepted on Humanitarian & Compassionate grounds.

SOS has released a short video on this topic: Work Permit Applications.

Yes. Children of refugee claimants can attend public elementary and high schools free of charge.

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No. According to the Income Tax Act, eligibility for child benefits is restricted to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, accepted refugees belonging to the humanitarian designated class, “temporary residents” who have lived in Canada for an 18-month period at the time of the application, or the spouse or common-law partners of any of those people. Temporary residents (work, study or visitor permits) are eligible the month following 18 months of continuous residency in Canada, as long as there are valid permits for the entire period and those permits continue to be valid the 19th month of residency.

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When refugee claimants receive the Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RCPD), they also have access to the IFHP, as the RCPD serves as a health card. This is an extended health benefit that allows claimants to access: basic coverage, hospital services, medical doctors, laboratory, diagnostic and ambulance services, supplemental coverage: limited vision, dental care, healthcare practitioners, counselling, physiotherapy, prescription drugs, coverage of the Immigration Medical Exam (IME).

All refugee claimants need to do the IME by an IRCC accredited medical provider within 30 days after the RPCD is issued. Settlement workers can provide a list of accredited medical providers and make a referral. The IME is needed for the claimant to receive their medical certificate which allows them to apply for provincial social assistance, work permit and other applications. Once the claimants have applied for social assistance and a work permit, they can request to have a personal health number (PHN) at a social assistance office. A settlement worker can provide more information on activating the PHN. Claimants will not automatically be given the MSP care card and will need to apply for one.

Note: If claimants apply for the MSP through the regular process they may need to pay a monthly fee. Please check with SOS (Settlement Orientation Services) about this process before applying.

SOS has released a short video on this topic: Health Resources.

Refugee claimants continue to be eligible for the IFHP after their refugee claim is rejected as well as ineligible claimants that are eligible for PRRA.

»» IRCC – Interim Federal Health Program: Summary of coverage
»» Settlement Orientation Services (SOS) provides health promotion services, resources and orientations on the Canadian health system in weekly groups. There are specific clinics and doctors in the Lower Mainland that work with Refugee Claimants to complete their IME. For more information, see SOS Health Services.
»» Complete list of IFHP registered health care providers in BC.

Refugee claimants who have not yet received a positive decision on their refugee status claim cannot take LINC classes. Claimants can access free or low-cost English classes or groups – availability varies for these groups.

Note: In Coquitlam if a refugee claimant has a child attending school, they are eligible to attend LINC classes (child age 5-18 years old).

LINC: A program that is funded by the Canadian Federal Government – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and provides basic language skills to adult permanent residents. Students are given with a LINC certificate upon completion of the program.

Yes, they can apply to university. If they haven’t had their hearing yet, they will be considered an international student. They have to apply for a study permit. In order to apply for a study permit they need an admission letter from the university or school. Some programs do not require a study permit. This varies for programs and schools and depends on the length of the course as well.

Refugee claimants can now apply for a work permit or study permit by checking a box in the revised Schedule 12. As of October 23, 2018, IRCC is using the information collected as part of the refugee claim process to automatically submit a work or study permit application for eligible refugee claimants who wish to receive one. If this box is checked: »» The application form for these permits is automatically generated. There is no need to submit a separate application form. »» The automatic application will be generated after their immigration medical examination has been completed by an IRCC-approved physician.

For more detailed information, refer to IRCC’s website: Refugee protection claimants and studying in Canada.

No. Some organizations have additional funding from The Province of BC and offer services and programs to Refugee Claimants.

Support services received after IRB claim acceptance include IRCC funded settlement, employment and language (LINC) programs and services, including: orientation and information, language assessment, employment program accessibility, trauma therapy, and connections to help integration into their communities.

Refer to the BC Refugee Hub for a complete list of programs and services available to Refugee Claimants during the claim process and Permanent Residence in BC.

If the income a claimant brings to Canada is not enough to support them, they may be able to apply for social assistance also known as welfare. Social assistance or welfare is a monthly allowance for individuals or families to assist them in the cost of food, shelter and transportation. The amount is minimal and is not intended to cover all costs. The hardship allowance is for essential needs only. The applicant will need to receive their immigration documents before applying for social assistance. The application for social assistance is completed online. Settlement workers can assist with the referral letter for social assistance, if needed. When applying for social assistance the applicant will be asked to declare their funds and must keep their income information updated if anything changes. Receiving welfare does not have any impact on the hearing decision for the claim process.

SOS has released a short video on this topic: Applying for Social Assistance.

Yes, a refugee claimant can open a bank account. The claimant will need to bring a government issued ID. SOS has a partnership with Vancity to make the process of opening a bank account for refugee claimants as seamless as possible. For claimants that have received a positive decision, Vancity can also provide loans for the fees for the Permanent Residence application form. For more information, contact SOS.

SOS has released a short video on this topic: Opening a Bank Account.

Prior to receiving the official refugee claimant ID, the main option for housing are shelters. After receiving the ID, options are:

»» Rent affordable rooms or shared accommodations based on the funds they come to Canada with or Social Assistance
»» Shelters
»» BC Housing – will need their ID, a rental contract and proof of income. BC Housing is very limited and priority is given to high needs individuals