Refugee claims in Canada—After applying

If a Citizenship and Immigration Canada or a Canada Border Services Agency officer decides that your refugee claim is eligible, it will be referred to the Refugee Protection Division of the IRB for a hearing. You will have to complete and return your Personal Information Form to the IRB by the deadline you are given. The IRB will contact you with the date and location for your hearing.

Please consult the IRB website for information about hearings.

If your claim is accepted

If the IRB accepts your claim, you will receive the status of “protected person.” This means you can stay in Canada and you can apply to become a permanent resident of Canada.

If your claim is rejected

If your claim is rejected, you have 15 days from the day you get the notice that your claim was rejected to apply to the Federal Court of Canada for a judicial review of the IRB decision.

In addition, you may have other options. Find out more about:

• Pre-removal risk assessment
• Humanitarian and compassionate considerations

Related Links

• Refugee rights
• Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
• Options for refused applicants
• Appealing a decision to the Federal Court of Canada
• Making a claim for refugee protection
• Refugee Appeals Division
• About being a permanent resident of Canada