Apply – Refugee status from inside Canada

The application forms below are offered in PDF format. For more information or to download the appropriate viewer, see Downloading files.

To apply for refugee status in Canada, you must make a claim:

• when you arrive in Canada, at any port of entry, such as an airport, seaport or land border; or
• from within Canada at a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) office. You can make a refugee claim in Canada at any CIC office except where noted in the list of offices.

The officer you make your refugee claim to will determine if your claim is eligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). The IRB will assess your claim and decide if you are given refugee status.

As of December 15, 2012, if you make a refugee claim from inside Canada, there are new forms to fill out:

• Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008] (PDF, 545 KB)
• Additional Dependants/Declaration [IMM 0008DEP] (PDF, 472 KB) (if you have insufficient space to list all your dependants in the General Application Form above)
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration [IMM 5669] (PDF, 247 KB)
• Schedule 12 - Additional Information – Refugee Claimants Inside Canada (IMM 0008 - Schedule 12) (PDF, 1.19 MB)
• IRB’s Basis of Claim form (and Claimant’s Guide)

Please read the Refugee Intake Application Guide for assistance in completing the forms.

If you make a claim at a port of entry:

• The officer you make your refugee claim to will find if your claim is eligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).

If the officer decides that your refugee claim is eligible:

• You will be given a date for your IRB hearing;
• You will have to complete your Basis of Claim form and submit it to the IRB within fifteen (15) days.

The IRB will assess your claim and decide if you are given refugee status.

If you make a claim at a CIC office:

• You must complete all of the above forms and bring them in person to the CIC office.
• You will not be scheduled for an interview with an immigration officer until you show CIC in person that you have completed all the forms.

If the officer decides that your refugee claim is eligible:

• You will be given a date for your IRB hearing.

No matter where you make your refugee claim, you must take all of your identity documents with you. This includes your passport, driver’s licence and any other documents which may prove your identity or which may support your refugee claim.

As part of this process, you have to provide information about your background and your family and explain why you want to make a claim for refugee protection. You do this by completing the forms that will be provided to you.

Generally speaking, refugee claims will be heard by the IRB within 60 days unless you come from a designated country of origin, in which case your asylum claim will be processed faster.