Canada provides refuge and compassion to those fleeing persecution, danger or exceptional hardship. We offer sensitive, confidential guidance through these life-saving pathways.
Canada offers refugee protection to individuals facing persecution or serious harm in their home countries, reflecting its commitment to international human rights and legal obligations.
These are individuals who have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country based on one or more of the following grounds: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
These are individuals who are already in Canada and would face a real risk of torture, threat to life, or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment if returned to their country of origin.
You can make a refugee claim either at a Canadian Port of Entry (e.g., airport, land border) or at an inland Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office
For individuals outside Canada, refugee protection may be accessed through Canada’s resettlement programs
Understand the step-by-step pathway after you make a claim.
An IRCC or CBSA officer will first determine if your claim is eligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).
If eligible, your claim is sent to the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the IRB, an independent tribunal.
You will need to submit a detailed Basis of Claim form outlining why you seek protection.
Most claimants will have a hearing before an RPD member, who will hear your testimony and review evidence.
The RPD member decides whether to grant you refugee protection. If successful, you become a protected person.
A Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) is an application that allows individuals facing removal from Canada to seek protection based on risks they would face if returned to their country of origin.
A PRRA typically applies when the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) notifies you that removal proceedings are underway. You may be eligible if:
Important: A 12-month waiting period generally applies after a negative refugee or PRRA decision, unless exceptional circumstances exist—such as significant changes in country conditions or the best interests of a child.
If you've previously made a refugee claim, the PRRA decision will focus primarily on new evidence that emerged after your last decision.
Officers assess whether removal would expose you to persecution, torture, risk to life, or cruel and unusual treatment.
The PRRA process involves submitting a written application (IMM 5508) supported by evidence and detailed submissions.
PRRA decisions are made by an IRCC officer, not the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) which handles initial refugee claims.
IRCC officers will evaluate whether you would face:
Focus strictly on protection from risk upon removal
Consider humanitarian factors like establishment in Canada, family ties, hardship if removed, and the best interests of a child.
A proven 5-step approach to guide you from first consult to decision.
We assess your profile and goals.
We design a personalized plan for your situation.
We gather and QA all required forms and proof.
We submit and track your file with IRCC/IRB.
We respond to requests and guide you to decision.