Where a claim is made
An asylum claim is made inside Canada or on arrival at a Canadian port of entry; it cannot be made from outside Canada. At the land border with the United States, an agreement restricts claims in most cases.
After the claim
Most claims are decided by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) at a hearing, and the claimant must show a real fear of persecution or risk in their country. We always recommend legal representation, and many provinces offer free or low-cost legal aid.
Resettlement from abroad
Refugees outside Canada do not apply directly; they are referred by the UN Refugee Agency or privately sponsored by groups in Canada.
How we help
- We explain the stages of the system and what you need at each one.
- We organise your documents and their translation with you.
- We never accept submitting untrue information in any application.
Our partners in Canada
We work with licensed immigration agents and consultants in Canada who file and follow up your application with the Canadian authorities.