Refugees and people in need of protection are individuals in or outside Canada who fear returning to their home country. Canada, in line with its humanitarian tradition and international obligations, offers protection to thousands each year.
Protection is extended to those who fear persecution, torture, or cruel and unusual punishment, and are unable or unwilling to return to their home country. If you believe you are at such risk, you may seek protection in Canada as either a Convention Refugee or a Person in Need of Protection. Applications must be made from within Canada or at a point of entry.
A Convention Refugee is a person who is outside their country of origin or habitual residence and cannot return due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on:
This applies to people already in Canada who are afraid to return to their country because of:
Some individuals are not eligible to claim refugee protection in Canada if:
Under the Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States, claimants must seek asylum in the first safe country they arrive in. If you entered Canada via a land border from the U.S., you may not be eligible unless you meet certain exceptions (e.g., family in Canada). More information is available at www.cic.gc.ca.
If deemed eligible to claim refugee protection, your case is referred to the Refugee Protection Division of the IRB, an independent body responsible for decisions on immigration and refugee matters in Canada.