If you have a claim for refugee protection pending before the Refugee Protection Division, you must keep your contact information up to date with the
IRB. If your contact information changes, you must immediately inform the
IRB of the changes
in writing. The
IRB will not be able to reach you without your correct contact information.
You can be given refugee protection in Canada if you meet the definition of a
Convention refugee, or if you are a
person in need of protection.
The Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) is responsible for deciding if you qualify for refugee protection. Before this can happen, you must make a claim, and if you are eligible, you will be referred to the
RPD for a decision. To make a claim for refugee protection, you may:
1. Make a claim at any port of entry (airport, seaport, land border)
You can make a claim for refugee protection at any port of entry by completing an eligibility interview with an officer from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and completing the
application package. If the officer decides that your claim is eligible, it is referred to the
RPD for a decision. Once your claim has been referred to the
RPD:
2. Make a claim at an
IRCC office
You can make a claim for refugee protection at certain
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offices. If you choose to make a claim at an
IRCC office, you must have
all forms in the
application package, as well as the
BOC Form, completed and with you. Refer to the
Completing Your Basis of Claim Form page for information about the
BOC Form and what is required.
If the officer from IRCC decides that your claim is eligible, your claim will be referred to the RPD, and you will be given a
Confirmation of Referral. Along with a
Confirmation of Referral, the referring officer will provide you with a copy of
Important Instructions for Refugee Claimants as well as the
Claimant's Guide.