Claiming refugee protection - 1. Making a claim - Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

<!DOCTYPE html> <html dir="ltr" lang="en"> <head><meta charset="utf-8" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://irb-cisr.gc.ca/PublishingImages/IRBCrest_Canada.png" /><title> Claiming refugee protection - 1. Making a claim - Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada </title><meta content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1" name="viewport" /> <meta http-equiv="x-ua-compatible" content="IE=EDGE"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/Style%20Library/en-US/Themable/Core%20Styles/controls.css"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_layouts/15/1033/styles/Themable/corev15.css?rev=%2Fbkgn%2FC5Z0Eqna9H15GE%2Bg%3D%3DTAG0"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/Style%20Library/IRBExtra.css"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_layouts/15/1033/styles/corev4.css?rev=OKhZj9m7BlriRNrw3CAJzw%3D%3DTAG0"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_layouts/15/1033/styles/../../IRB.WET4/css/pol.css?rev=Wk2eMjakfs%2BC3X6%2BC6sUVw%3D%3DTAG0"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_layouts/15/1033/styles/../../IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/css/theme2.min.css?rev=p3JSLOlCNPNUz1B%2BmsY4Dg%3D%3DTAG0"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_layouts/15/1033/styles/../../IRB.WET4/fontawesome/css/fontawesome-all.min.css?rev=FvT2eXkx5DEliF4XQfElpw%3D%3DTAG0"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_layouts/15/1033/styles/../../IRB.WET4/css/override.css?rev=Y2DQymgPPG%2FLfIkz%2Fa7TDg%3D%3DTAG0"/>  <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_layouts/15/1033/styles/../../IRB.WET4/GC-SharePoint/CSS/SharePoint.css?rev=vTkch7h9UMP4Spi3%2FvTYEQ%3D%3DTAG0"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_layouts/15/1033/styles/../../IRB.WET4/Fancybox/jquery.fancybox.css?rev=RYr%2FfvVjvzVueJfBp8Hhrw%3D%3DTAG0"/>  <script type="text/javascript"> var _fV4UI = true; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/1033/initstrings.js?rev=2WxjgxyM2qXGgY9r2nHW8A%3D%3DTAG0"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/init.js?rev=8oX3V9AeA8EvWft9ufzmAA%3D%3DTAG0"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/init.js?rev=8oX3V9AeA8EvWft9ufzmAA%3D%3DTAG0"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/ScriptResource.axd?d=YWbIUiHArAEtIlkMU2yCaNFFGmp9imYYSn3lllKEQ2XPAaYqeE5-nxmZBhmzLWZfJa1geYbkI4NQp2TQXSSMRf8orH_bQl7RqmcNMPNY_5APY6QLOYQ2iq6iV2iB-eNq0ktTYwqxEnE2NxDlxIGLSB_LZ2hdTeR9-1-OiEa4zUxXaTFiG9Z-FbGu5viSFL710&t=ffffffffc820c398"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/blank.js?rev=sqOSCdQgapv1nNGsGQ2EWA%3D%3DTAG0"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/ScriptResource.axd?d=B0DtfNVzOWxGIETrii4I6DYc57F3hlyCpYVG256rsv8KOugAQG8OlQFwyJSz9e7KbelEu08jBFn4uHIdlpJ4JzRfwSQMmzmxEMk9UcI-Lz6Bb2VqgQD3HS_4PZZe-0SHEj1mnrtyzr0Mlg6OGbgSPznCNdIllHbz17khDbq2r1dkzOprSjq2UggpEclvfXZM0&t=ffffffffc820c398"></script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("require.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002frequire.js?rev=4UhLIF\u00252FezOvmGnh\u00252Fs0LLpA\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("strings.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002f1033\u002fstrings.js?rev=k\u00252FSaOdWtcHDDvsb\u00252FUFykOA\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("sp.res.resx", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002f1033\u002fsp.res.js?rev=wAoMiKx7gNtLcYzRgm0ujg\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("sp.runtime.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002fsp.runtime.js?rev=2PvH2DIeZJ9jqeZmBQEJZw\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");RegisterSodDep("sp.runtime.js", "sp.res.resx");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("sp.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002fsp.js?rev=1nC\u00252BhOaIGF58YXkiIgIoZg\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");RegisterSodDep("sp.js", "sp.runtime.js");RegisterSodDep("sp.js", "sp.ui.dialog.js");RegisterSodDep("sp.js", "sp.res.resx");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("sp.init.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002fsp.init.js?rev=zLDftWFbD0zSQuLgvrBp4g\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("sp.ui.dialog.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002fsp.ui.dialog.js?rev=tdjOGvtLxUI1cDsnpJfTSQ\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");RegisterSodDep("sp.ui.dialog.js", "sp.init.js");RegisterSodDep("sp.ui.dialog.js", "sp.res.resx");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("core.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002fcore.js?rev=ZwdGEqnRUxAlSKvMuyf0uQ\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");RegisterSodDep("core.js", "strings.js");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("sp.core.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002fsp.core.js?rev=hb0ZMSHKY6LC4SSRovL8Vg\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");RegisterSodDep("sp.core.js", "strings.js");RegisterSodDep("sp.core.js", "sp.init.js");RegisterSodDep("sp.core.js", "core.js");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("cui.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002fcui.js?rev=Hh\u00252BFWfMsI4hUj33EJVWHgw\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("clienttemplates.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002fclienttemplates.js?rev=cqg\u00252BBJLpUUQdhBdbwuGOaA\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("inplview", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002finplview.js?rev=ysvfOnBgEmod7Yl4rWo19g\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");RegisterSodDep("inplview", "strings.js");RegisterSodDep("inplview", "core.js");RegisterSodDep("inplview", "clienttemplates.js");RegisterSodDep("inplview", "sp.js");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("ribbon", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002fsp.ribbon.js?rev=w8dFxck15P5Q3chYkuT6Kg\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "strings.js");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "core.js");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "sp.core.js");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "sp.js");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "cui.js");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "sp.res.resx");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "sp.runtime.js");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "inplview");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("userprofile", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002fsp.userprofiles.js?rev=cx6U8sP\u00252ByP0OFLjk6ekyIg\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");RegisterSodDep("userprofile", "sp.runtime.js");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("mQuery.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002fmquery.js?rev=x54zTXjncbFmopS\u00252B\u00252BDAxyQ\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("followingcommon.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002ffollowingcommon.js?rev=6IVsFZ1bc6\u00252FKmD1tvpDT1g\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");RegisterSodDep("followingcommon.js", "strings.js");RegisterSodDep("followingcommon.js", "sp.js");RegisterSodDep("followingcommon.js", "userprofile");RegisterSodDep("followingcommon.js", "core.js");RegisterSodDep("followingcommon.js", "mQuery.js");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("profilebrowserscriptres.resx", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002f1033\u002fprofilebrowserscriptres.js?rev=qwf69WaVc1mYlJLXqmZmVA\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("sp.ui.mysitecommon.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002fsp.ui.mysitecommon.js?rev=\u00252F71f\u00252FDBMbBDUcasz\u00252FeZBbg\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");RegisterSodDep("sp.ui.mysitecommon.js", "sp.init.js");RegisterSodDep("sp.ui.mysitecommon.js", "sp.runtime.js");RegisterSodDep("sp.ui.mysitecommon.js", "userprofile");RegisterSodDep("sp.ui.mysitecommon.js", "profilebrowserscriptres.resx");</script> <script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("browserScript", "\u002f_layouts\u002f15\u002fie55up.js?rev=TC5tF64zQiHhcw50TEwg9Q\u00253D\u00253DTAG0");RegisterSodDep("browserScript", "strings.js");</script> <link type="text/xml" rel="alternate" href="/en/applying-refugee-protection/_vti_bin/spsdisco.aspx" /> <meta name="dcterms.description" content="Claiming Refugee Protection - 1. Making a claim" /> <meta name="description" content="Claiming Refugee Protection - 1. Making a claim" /> <meta name="keywords" content="claimants, refugee, asylum" /> <meta name="dcterms.creator" content="Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada" /> <meta name="dcterms.title" content="Claiming refugee protection - 1. Making a claim " /> <meta name="dcterms.issued" title="W3CDTF" content="2018-02-08" /> <meta name="dcterms.modified" title="W3CDTF" content="2024-11-15" /> <meta name="dcterms.subject" title="scheme" content="claimants, refugee, asylum" /> <meta name="dc.language" title="ISO639-2" content="en" /> <meta name="dcterms.language" title="ISO639-2" content="en" /> <style type="text/css">.ms-WPBody { font-size: inherit; font-family: inherit; } #ms-designer-ribbon, #imgPrefetch { display:none !important; }</style><link rel="canonical" href="https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca:443/en/applying-refugee-protection/Pages/index.aspx" />  <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/assets/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" id="favicon" /><script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/GC-SharePoint/JS/jquery-2.1.1.min.js?rev=5A7CFh%2FnmTGW8jyKBzRjBg%3D%3DTAG0"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/js/deps/jquery.dataTables.min.js?rev=rHotZc15i7JOjR3jJu2Hlg%3D%3DTAG0"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/js/deps/jquery.validate.min.js?rev=2nD1vXv8BQZppgiUQQxgxw%3D%3DTAG0"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/js/deps/additional-methods.min.js?rev=591TvVNuXAZ8VaFSO3Je2w%3D%3DTAG0"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/js/form-validation.js?rev=%2FH70Nxsa6UPEi4X02BMYvQ%3D%3DTAG0"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/GC-SharePoint/JS/SharePoint.js?rev=zBh2axqPxQ4n%2BYg4uTWELQ%3D%3DTAG0"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/GC-SharePoint/JS/IRB-ToggleUI.js?rev=A0CEAnF6%2F8R03J7zuWKZHg%3D%3DTAG0"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/GC-SharePoint/JS/IRB-Search.js?rev=MpQpPv50tWokD%2B%2BlicKlbw%3D%3DTAG0"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/ScriptResx.ashx?name=sp.res&culture=en-us"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/js/deps/jquery.maskedinput.min.js?rev=UnAU3EemZkDclttwVwDHoQ%3D%3DTAG0"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/Style Library/IRBExtra.js"></script>   <noscript> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/css/noscript.min.css" /> </noscript>  <script type="text/javascript" async src = "https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-C0VYPY21J2" ></script> <script type="text/javascript"> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag() { dataLayer.push(arguments); } gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-C0VYPY21J2'); </script> </head> <body scroll="no" onload="if (typeof(_spBodyOnLoadWrapper) != 'undefined') _spBodyOnLoadWrapper();" vocab="http://schema.org/" typeof="WebPage"> <form method="post" action="./index.aspx" onsubmit="javascript:return WebForm_OnSubmit();" id="aspnetForm"> <div class="aspNetHidden"> <input type="hidden" name="_wpcmWpid" id="_wpcmWpid" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="wpcmVal" id="wpcmVal" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOWebPartPage_PostbackSource" id="MSOWebPartPage_PostbackSource" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOTlPn_SelectedWpId" id="MSOTlPn_SelectedWpId" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOTlPn_View" id="MSOTlPn_View" value="0" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOTlPn_ShowSettings" id="MSOTlPn_ShowSettings" value="False" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOGallery_SelectedLibrary" id="MSOGallery_SelectedLibrary" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOGallery_FilterString" id="MSOGallery_FilterString" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOTlPn_Button" id="MSOTlPn_Button" value="none" /> <input type="hidden" name="__EVENTTARGET" id="__EVENTTARGET" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="__EVENTARGUMENT" id="__EVENTARGUMENT" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="__REQUESTDIGEST" id="__REQUESTDIGEST" value="noDigest" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOSPWebPartManager_DisplayModeName" id="MSOSPWebPartManager_DisplayModeName" value="Browse" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOSPWebPartManager_ExitingDesignMode" id="MSOSPWebPartManager_ExitingDesignMode" value="false" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOWebPartPage_Shared" id="MSOWebPartPage_Shared" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOLayout_LayoutChanges" id="MSOLayout_LayoutChanges" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOLayout_InDesignMode" id="MSOLayout_InDesignMode" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="_wpSelected" id="_wpSelected" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="_wzSelected" id="_wzSelected" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOSPWebPartManager_OldDisplayModeName" id="MSOSPWebPartManager_OldDisplayModeName" value="Browse" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOSPWebPartManager_StartWebPartEditingName" id="MSOSPWebPartManager_StartWebPartEditingName" value="false" /> <input type="hidden" name="MSOSPWebPartManager_EndWebPartEditing" id="MSOSPWebPartManager_EndWebPartEditing" value="false" /> <input type="hidden" name="__VIEWSTATE" id="__VIEWSTATE" value="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" /> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var theForm = document.forms['aspnetForm']; if (!theForm) { theForm = document.aspnetForm; } function __doPostBack(eventTarget, eventArgument) { if (!theForm.onsubmit || (theForm.onsubmit() != false)) { theForm.__EVENTTARGET.value = eventTarget; theForm.__EVENTARGUMENT.value = eventArgument; theForm.submit(); } } //]]> </script> <script src="/WebResource.axd?d=RIB5WAahSLEBjzDjl7p1nzbM53kN3lrEHvQtn37O26SVpv7hWhtvZsSdBFJ0odaKXC0KPAXmKxy8Pt-iWYky90MS8t0ck10V7Xyn6OP74k81&t=638568460745067788" type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var MSOWebPartPageFormName = 'aspnetForm'; var g_presenceEnabled = true; var g_wsaEnabled = false; var g_correlationId = '00d466a1-eb86-20bc-1e56-3708544ca97f'; var g_wsaQoSEnabled = false; var g_wsaQoSDataPoints = []; var g_wsaRUMEnabled = false; var g_wsaLCID = 1033; var g_wsaListTemplateId = 850; var g_wsaSiteTemplateId = 'CMSPUBLISHING#0'; var _fV4UI=true;var _spPageContextInfo = {webServerRelativeUrl: "\u002fen\u002fapplying-refugee-protection", webAbsoluteUrl: "https:\u002f\u002fwww.irb-cisr.gc.ca\u002fen\u002fapplying-refugee-protection", siteAbsoluteUrl: "https:\u002f\u002fwww.irb-cisr.gc.ca", serverRequestPath: "\u002fen\u002fapplying-refugee-protection\u002fpages\u002findex.aspx", layoutsUrl: "_layouts\u002f15", webTitle: "Make a claim for refugee protection", webTemplate: "39", tenantAppVersion: "0", isAppWeb: false, Has2019Era: true, webLogoUrl: "_layouts\u002f15\u002fimages\u002fsiteicon.png", webLanguage: 1033, currentLanguage: 1033, currentUICultureName: "en-US", currentCultureName: "en-US", clientServerTimeDelta: new Date("2024-11-23T22:10:04.5733649Z") - new Date(), updateFormDigestPageLoaded: new Date("2024-11-23T22:10:04.5733649Z"), siteClientTag: "656$$16.0.5456.1000", crossDomainPhotosEnabled:false, webUIVersion:15, webPermMasks:{High:16,Low:196673},pageListId:"{5820d208-bac1-48e5-a09f-783e3e10bdc4}",pageItemId:2, pagePersonalizationScope:1, alertsEnabled:true, customMarkupInCalculatedFieldDisabled: true, siteServerRelativeUrl: "\u002f", allowSilverlightPrompt:'True', isSiteAdmin: false};var L_Menu_BaseUrl="/en/applying-refugee-protection"; var L_Menu_LCID="1033"; var L_Menu_SiteTheme="null"; document.onreadystatechange=fnRemoveAllStatus; function fnRemoveAllStatus(){removeAllStatus(true)};Flighting.ExpFeatures = [480215056,1880287568,1561350208,302071836,3212816,69472768,4194310,-2113396707,268502022,-872284160,1049232,-2147421952,65536,65536,2097472,917504,-2147474174,1372324107,67108882,0,0,-2147483648,2097152,0,0,32768,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,32768]; (function() { if(typeof(window.SP) == "undefined") window.SP = {}; if(typeof(window.SP.YammerSwitch) == "undefined") window.SP.YammerSwitch = {}; var ysObj = window.SP.YammerSwitch; ysObj.IsEnabled = false; ysObj.TargetYammerHostName = "www.yammer.com"; } )(); //]]> </script> <script src="/_layouts/15/blank.js?rev=sqOSCdQgapv1nNGsGQ2EWA%3D%3DTAG0" type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ (function(){ if (typeof(_spBodyOnLoadFunctions) === 'undefined' || _spBodyOnLoadFunctions === null) { return; } _spBodyOnLoadFunctions.push(function() { SP.SOD.executeFunc('core.js', 'FollowingDocument', function() { FollowingDocument(); }); }); })();(function(){ if (typeof(_spBodyOnLoadFunctions) === 'undefined' || _spBodyOnLoadFunctions === null) { return; } _spBodyOnLoadFunctions.push(function() { SP.SOD.executeFunc('core.js', 'FollowingCallout', function() { FollowingCallout(); }); }); })();if (typeof(DeferWebFormInitCallback) == 'function') DeferWebFormInitCallback();function WebForm_OnSubmit() { UpdateFormDigest('\u002fen\u002fapplying-refugee-protection', 1440000);if (typeof(_spFormOnSubmitWrapper) != 'undefined') {return _spFormOnSubmitWrapper();} else {return true;}; return true; } //]]> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ Sys.WebForms.PageRequestManager._initialize('ctl00$ScriptManager', 'aspnetForm', [], [], [], 90, 'ctl00'); //]]> </script> <ul id="wb-tphp" class="noindex"> <li class="wb-slc wb-invisible"> <a class="wb-sl noindex" href="#wb-cont">Skip to main content</a> </li> <li class="wb-slc wb-invisible">  <a class="wb-sl noindex" href="#wb-info">Skip to "About this site"</a> </li> <li class="wb-slc visible-md visible-lg"> </li> </ul> <div id="s4-workspace"> <div id="s4-bodyContainer">  <div id="ctl00_MSO_ContentDiv" class="body-wrapper"> <header class="override-header s4-notdlg" role="banner"> <div class="container" id="wb-bnr"> <section class="visible-md visible-lg text-right" id="wb-lng"> <h2 class="wb-inv">Language selection</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12"> <ul class="list-inline margin-bottom-none"> <li> </li> <li> <span><script type="text/javascript"> function OnSelectionChange2(value){ var today = new Date(); var oneYear = new Date(today.getTime() + 365 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000); var url = "https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/fr/presenter-demande-asile/Pages/index.aspx"; document.cookie = "lcid=" + value + ";path=/;expires=" + oneYear.toGMTString(); window.location.href = url; } </script><a class='override-a' href="https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/fr/presenter-demande-asile/Pages/index.aspx" lang="fr" xml:lang="fr" onclick="javascript:OnSelectionChange2(1036); return false;"><span>Français</span></a></span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <div class="row"> <div class="brand col-xs-8 col-sm-9 col-md-6 override-img"> <a id="ctl00_lnkHome" class="gl-FIP" href="/en"><img id="ctl00_IRBLogo" tabindex="-1" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/assets/IRB-fip-eng.svg" alt="Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada - Commission de l'immigration et du statut de réfugié du Canada" /></a> </div> <section id="wb-srch" class="col-xs-6 text-right visible-md visible-lg"> <h2>Search</h2> <div class="form-inline"> <div class="form-group"><label for="ctl00_srchCtrl" class="wb-inv">Search</label><input name="ctl00$srchCtrl" type="search" id="ctl00_srchCtrl" size="27" placeholder="Search IRB..." class="form-control" maxlength="150" /></div><button onclick="if (typeof(Page_ClientValidate) == 'function') Page_ClientValidate(''); __doPostBack('ctl00$ctl80','')" class="btn btn-primary btn-small" id="wb-srch-sub" name="wb-srch-sub" type="submit"><span class="glyphicon-search glyphicon"></span><span class="wb-inv">Search</span></button> </div> </section> <section class="wb-mb-links col-xs-4 col-sm-3 visible-sm visible-xs" id="wb-glb-mn"> <h2>Search and menus</h2> <ul class="chvrn list-inline text-right"> <li> <a href="#mb-pnl" title="Search and menus" aria-controls="mb-pnl" class="overlay-lnk" role="button"><span class="glyphicon glyphicon-search"><span class="glyphicon glyphicon-th-list"><span class="wb-inv">Search and menus</span></span></span></a> </li> </ul> <div id="mb-pnl"></div> </section> </div> </div> <nav class="wb-menu visible-md visible-lg" id="wb-sm" role="navigation" typeof="SiteNavigationElement" data-trgt="mb-pnl" property="navigation"> <div class="pnl-strt container visible-md visible-lg nvbar"> <h2>Topics menu</h2> <div class="row"> <ul class='list-inline menu' role='menubar'><li><a class='item' role='menuitem' aria-haspopup='true' href='##'>Refugee claims</a> <ul class='sm list-unstyled' id='Refugeeclaims' role='menu' aria-expanded='false' aria-hidden='true'><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/applying-refugee-protection/pages/index.aspx'>Applying for refugee protection</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/forms/pages/index.aspx#rcf'>Forms</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/procedures/pages/index.aspx'>Procedures and practice notices</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/policies/pages/index.aspx'>Policy instruments</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/legal-concepts/pages/index.aspx#lc-rc'>Legal resources</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/decisions/pages/index.aspx#rpd-tab'>Decisions</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/act-rules-regulations/pages/index.aspx'>Act, rules and regulations</a></li><li class='slflnk'><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/refugee-claims/pages/index.aspx'>Refugee claims - More</a></li></ul> </li><li><a class='item' role='menuitem' aria-haspopup='true' href='##'>Refugee appeals</a> <ul class='sm list-unstyled' id='Refugeeappeals' role='menu' aria-expanded='false' aria-hidden='true'><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/filing-refugee-appeal/pages/index.aspx'>Filing a refugee appeal or responding to a Minister's appeal</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/forms/pages/index.aspx#raf'>Forms</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/procedures/pages/index.aspx'>Procedures and practice notices</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/policies/pages/index.aspx'>Policy instruments</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/legal-concepts/pages/index.aspx#lc-ra'>Legal resources</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/decisions/pages/index.aspx#rad-tab'>Decisions</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/act-rules-regulations/pages/index.aspx'>Act, rules and regulations</a></li><li class='slflnk'><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/refugee-appeals/pages/index.aspx'>Refugee appeals - More</a></li></ul> </li><li><a class='item' role='menuitem' aria-haspopup='true' href='##'>Immigration appeals</a> <ul class='sm list-unstyled' id='Immigrationappeals' role='menu' aria-expanded='false' aria-hidden='true'><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/making-immigration-appeal/pages/index.aspx'>Making an immigration appeal</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/forms/pages/index.aspx#iaf'>Forms</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/procedures/pages/index.aspx'>Procedures and practice notices</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/policies/pages/index.aspx'>Policy instruments</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/legal-concepts/pages/index.aspx#lc-ia'>Legal resources</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/act-rules-regulations/pages/index.aspx'>Act, rules and regulations</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/immigration-appeals/pages/initiatives.aspx'>Initiatives</a></li><li class='slflnk'><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/immigration-appeals/pages/index.aspx'>Immigration appeals - More</a></li></ul> </li><li><a class='item' role='menuitem' aria-haspopup='true' href='##'>Detention reviews / Admissibility hearings</a> <ul class='sm list-unstyled' id='Detentionreviews/Admissibilityhearings' role='menu' aria-expanded='false' aria-hidden='true'><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/detention-hearings/pages/index.aspx'>Preparing for detention reviews and admissibility hearings</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/forms/pages/index.aspx#drf'>Forms</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/policies/pages/index.aspx'>Policy instruments</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/act-rules-regulations/pages/index.aspx'>Act, rules and regulations</a></li><li><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/legal-policy/procedures/pages/index.aspx'>Procedures and practice notices</a></li><li class='slflnk'><a role='menuitem' href='https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/hearings-reviews/pages/index.aspx'>Detention reviews and Admissibility hearings - More</a></li></ul> </li></ul> </div> </div> </nav> <nav role="navigation" id="wb-bc" property="breadcrumb"> <h2>You are here:</h2> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <ol class="breadcrumb"><li><a href="/en/pages/index.aspx">Home</a></li> <li>Make a claim for refugee protection</li> </ol> </div> </div> </nav> <nav id="userInfo" ></nav> </header> <div id="main-wrapper"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <main id="ctl00_main" role="main" property="mainContentOfPage" class="container"> <h1 id="wb-cont" property="name"> Claiming refugee protection - 1. Making a claim </h1> <section> <div>  <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/js/wet-boew.min.js" defer></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/js/tooltip.js" defer></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/js/popover.js" defer></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/GC-SharePoint/JS/sticky-sidebar.js"></script>  <div id="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ctl01_ctl00_label" style='display:none'>Page Content</div><div id="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ctl01_ctl00__ControlWrapper_RichHtmlField" class="ms-rtestate-field" style="display:inline" aria-labelledby="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ctl01_ctl00_label"><span> <div class="gc-stp-stp"><div class="row"><ul class="toc lst-spcd col-md-12"><li class="col-md-4 col-sm-6"><a class="list-group-item active">1. Making a claim </a> <br></li><li class="col-md-4 col-sm-6"> <a class="list-group-item" href="/en/applying-refugee-protection/Pages/index2.aspx">2. Providing the Basis for your Claim</a></li><li class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 clr-lft-sm"> <a class="list-group-item" href="/en/applying-refugee-protection/Pages/index3.aspx">3. Gathering and submitting evidence</a></li><li class="col-md-4 col-sm-6"> <a class="list-group-item" href="/en/applying-refugee-protection/Pages/index4.aspx">4. Attending your hearing</a></li><li class="col-md-4 col-sm-6"> <a class="list-group-item" href="/en/applying-refugee-protection/Pages/index5.aspx">5. Receiving your decision </a></li></ul></div></div> <div class="row"> <section class="alert alert-warning"> <h2 class="h3">Starting November 15, 2024, mail delivery is disrupted</h2> <p>Mail delivery to and from the IRB may be temporarily affected by a Canada Post disruption. </p> <p><a href="/en/news/2024/Pages/mail-delivery-disruptions.aspx">Mail delivery disruptions - November 15, 2024</a> provides more information on how this may affect you, and how to provide documents during this time.</p> </section> <div class="col-md-8"><div class="alert alert-info"><p>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 <abbr title="Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada">IRB</abbr>. If your contact information changes, you must immediately inform the <abbr title="Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada">IRB</abbr> of the changes <a href="/en/forms/Documents/IrbCisr10101_e.pdf">in writing</a>. The <abbr title="Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada">IRB</abbr> will not be able to reach you without your correct contact information. </p></div><p>You can be given refugee protection in Canada if you meet the definition of a <abbr title="Convention refugees are people who have a well-founded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Membership in a particular social group can include sexual orientation, gender identity, being a woman, and HIV status.">Convention refugee</abbr>, or if you are a <abbr title="Persons in need of protection must show that if they return to their country of nationality, they will face a danger of torture, a risk to their life or a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.">person in need of protection</abbr>.</p><p>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 <abbr title="Refugee Protection Division">RPD</abbr> for a decision. To make a claim for refugee protection, you may either: </p><h2>1. Make a claim at any port of entry (airport, seaport, land border)</h2><p>You can make a claim for refugee protection when you arrive in Canada at any port of entry by completing an eligibility interview with an officer from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), completing the application package, and providing fingerprints and a photograph. </p><p>Normally, you will complete the forms – which are provided by the CBSA officer – in-person when you arrive. However, it is possible that the officer tells you to come back to the port of entry or an inland office for an interview at a future date. If this occurs, the officer will give you:<br></p><ul><li>an information pamphlet</li><li>an <b>acknowledgement of claim letter </b>(which will help you get access to the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada/health-care/interim-federal-health-program/services.html">Interim Federal Health Program</a> and <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada.html">other services in Canada</a>)</li><li>instructions about completing your medical exam</li></ul><p>The officer may also tell you to <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/claim-protection-inside-canada/apply.html#s12">submit your refugee claim online</a>. If you’re told to complete your claim online, you’ll need</p><ul><li>the application number on your acknowledgement of claim letter (described above)</li><li>the interview location given to you by the officer</li></ul><p>After your claim has been submitted, 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 you will be given:</p><ul><li>A <b>Refugee Protection Claimant Document</b>, which will help you get access to the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada/health-care/interim-federal-health-program/services.html">Interim Federal Health Program</a> and <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada.html">other services in Canada</a>.</li><li>A <b>Confirmation of Referral letter, which confirms your claim has been referred to the IRB</b>. Along with a <b>Confirmation of Referral</b>, the referring officer will provide you with a copy of the <a href="/en/refugee-claims/Pages/ClaDemGuide.aspx">Claimant's Guide</a>.  Refer to <a href="/en/refugee-claims/Pages/ClaDemGuideInstruct.aspx">Important Instructions for Refugee Claimants</a> for additional information.</li><li>You will also be given a <a href="/en/forms/pages/rpdSpr0201.aspx">Basis of Claim Form (BOC Form)</a>. You must submit one completed BOC Form to the RPD for each family member, <b>no later than 15 days after the date your claim was referred</b>. Refer to the <a href="/en/applying-refugee-protection/Pages/index2.aspx">Completing Your Basis of Claim Form page</a> for information about the BOC Form and what is required.<br></li></ul><h2>2. Make a claim after arriving in Canada<br></h2><p>You can also make a claim for refugee protection after arriving in Canada. If you choose to make a claim after arriving in Canada, you must submit a <b>complete</b> application including all supporting documentation, as well as the <a href="/en/forms/pages/rpdSpr0201.aspx">BOC Form</a>, when you make your claim. Refer to the <a href="/en/applying-refugee-protection/Pages/index2.aspx">Completing Your Basis of Claim Form page</a> for information about the BOC Form and what is required.</p><p>To make your claim after arriving in Canada, you should <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/claim-protection-inside-canada/apply.html#s12">submit your refugee claim online</a>. If you have already made a claim, you don’t need to resubmit it through the portal. To submit your claim online, you’ll need a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents. You will also need to create your online account, which can be used to submit your claim, and also to check on the status. If you are unable to submit your claim online after arriving in Canada, you may <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/claim-protection-inside-canada/apply-paper.html">request to submit your refugee claim on paper from inside Canada</a>.</p><ul><li>If you are working with a representative that is helping you with your claim, they can either help you complete your claim or submit a claim for you. Whoever creates the portal account is the person who must sign and submit the claim. If your representative is submitting a claim for you, both you and your representative must sign a declaration form and upload it to the portal account, authorizing them to make a claim on your behalf.<br></li></ul><div><p> <a href="https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/documents/pdf/english/kits/forms/imm0175e.pdf">Declaration - Authorization for representative to submit a refugee claim through the IRCC Portal (PDF, 235 KB)</a><br></p></div><p>After your claim has been submitted, 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 you will receive:</p><ul><li>A <b>Refugee Protection Claimant Document</b>, which will help you get access to the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada/health-care/interim-federal-health-program/services.html">Interim Federal Health Program</a> and <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada.html">other services in Canada</a>.</li><li>A <b>Confirmation of Referral letter, which confirms your claim has been referred to the IRB</b>. Along with a <b>Confirmation of Referral</b>, the referring officer will provide you with the <a href="/en/refugee-claims/Pages/ClaDemGuide.aspx">Claimant's Guide</a>. Refer to <a href="/en/refugee-claims/Pages/ClaDemGuideInstruct.aspx">Important Instructions for Refugee Claimants</a> for additional information.</li></ul> <nav class="mrgn-bttm-lg" role="navigation"> <h3 class="wb-inv">Document navigation</h3> <ul class="pager"><li class="next"> <a href="/en/applying-refugee-protection/Pages/index2.aspx" rel="next">Next<span class="wb-inv">: 2. Providing the Basis for your Claim</span></a></li></ul> </nav> </div><div class="col-md-4"> <aside><span><figure class="wb-mltmd" data-wb-mltmd="{"shareUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG52QiQr574"}"><video title="An Introduction to Canada’s Refugee Determination System"><source src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG52QiQr574" type="video/youtube" /> </video><figcaption> <p class="small"> <strong>An Introduction to Canada’s Refugee Determination System</strong></p> </figcaption> </figure></span></aside> <aside class="well"> <h2 class="mrgn-tp-0">Related links</h2> <ul><li> <a href="/en/legal-policy/procedures/Pages/questions-answers-consolidated-practice-notice.aspx">Questions and answers: Consolidated Practice Notice changes</a><br></li><li> <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/refugees.html">Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Refugees, asylum claimants, sponsors and PRRA applicants</a></li><li> <a href="/en/refugee-claims/Pages/ClaDemGuideInstruct.aspx">Claimant's Important Instructions</a></li><li> <a href="/en/applying-refugee-protection/Pages/ready-tours.aspx">Ready Tours</a></li><li> <a href="/en/designated-representant/Pages/index.aspx">Designated Representative's Guide</a></li><li> <a href="/en/information-sheets/Pages/quick-tips-virtual-hearings.aspx">Quick tips to prepare for your virtual hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada</a></li></ul> </aside><aside class="well"> <h2 class="mrgn-tp-0">Guides, forms, and references</h2> <ul><li> <a href="/en/refugee-claims/pages/ClaDemKitTro.aspx">Refugee claimant’s kit</a></li><li> <a href="/en/legal-policy/procedures/Pages/rpd-virtual-hearings-guide.aspx">RPD virtual hearings – Guide for parties</a><br></li><li> <a href="/en/legal-policy/act-rules-regulations/Pages/index.aspx">Acts, rules, and regulations</a></li><li> <a href="/en/legal-policy/procedures/Pages/index.aspx">Procedures and practice notices</a></li><li> <a href="/en/forms/Pages/index.aspx#rcf">Forms</a></li><li> <a href="/en/forms/Pages/IRBCisr10101.aspx">Notification of Client Contact Information Form (change of address)</a></li><li> <a href="/en/legal-policy/policies/Pages/index.aspx">Policy instruments</a></li><li> <a href="/en/legal-policy/legal-concepts/Pages/index.aspx#LC-RC">Legal concepts</a></li><li> <a href="/en/legal-policy/legal-concepts/Pages/legal-aid-office.aspx">Legal aid offices</a></li><li> <a href="/en/country-information/Pages/index.aspx">Country of origin information</a></li><li> <a href="/en/contact/Pages/contact3.aspx">Contact</a></li></ul> </aside> </div></div></span> <div tabindex="-1" class="popover fade top in" id="popover8685" role="alert"><div class="arrow"></div><h3 class="popover-title"> <button class="close" aria-label="Close" type="button" data-dismiss="popover"><span aria-hidden="true">×</span></button>applications (<i>applications</i>)</h3><div class="popover-content">Are a subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly for a task that the user wishes to perform.<footer class="mrgn-tp-sm small"><cite>Source: Information Technology, Directive on Management of</cite></footer></div></div></div> </div> </section> <div style='display:none' id='hidZone'><ul class="ms-hide"> <li id="MSOMenu_Help" style='background:url("/_layouts/15/images/HelpIcon.gif");display:none;' onclick="MSOWebPartPage_SetNewWindowLocation(MenuWebPart.getAttribute('helpLink'), MenuWebPart.getAttribute('helpMode'))" > </li> </ul></div> <div id="DeveloperDashboard" class="ms-developerdashboard"> </div> </main> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="bottom-fold-wrapper"> <div class="s4-notdlg">  <aside class="gc-nttvs container"> <h2>Features</h2 > <div id="gcwb_prts" class="wb-eqht row"><section class="col-lg-4 col-md-6 mrgn-bttm-md"><a rel ="external" href="https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/jobs/Pages/index.aspx"> <div class="mrgn-bttm-sm"> <div class="acFooterImage"> <img class="img-responsive" src="/WET4ActivitiesInitiatives/Jobs_feature-360x207.jpg" alt=""> </div> <h3 class="h5 lnkFeature">Careers at the IRB</h3> </div></a> <p>Grow your career with us and help shape the future of Canada</p> </section><section class="col-lg-4 col-md-6 mrgn-bttm-md"><a rel ="external" href="https://mycase-mondossier.irb-cisr.canada.ca/en-US/"> <div class="mrgn-bttm-sm"> <div class="acFooterImage"> <img class="img-responsive" src="/WET4ActivitiesInitiatives/My Case Feature-ext-360x207-en.jpg" alt=""> </div> <h3 class="h5 lnkFeature">My Case</h3> </div></a> <p>Secure online document exchange with our counsel community</p> </section><section class="col-lg-4 col-md-6 mrgn-bttm-md"><a rel ="external" href="https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/transparency/accessibility/pages/index.aspx"> <div class="mrgn-bttm-sm"> <div class="acFooterImage"> <img class="img-responsive" src="/WET4ActivitiesInitiatives/IRB-accessibility-plan-2023-2025-atlas_feature-360x207.jpg" alt=""> </div> <h3 class="h5 lnkFeature">IRB Accessibility Plan 2023 to 2025</h3> </div></a> <p>Our plan to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility and contribute to an accessible and barrier-free Canada</p> </section></div> </aside>  </div> <div class="container s4-notdlg"> <div class="row pagedetails"> <script type="text/javascript"> //Constants /* reCaptcha start*/ // QC Invisible Recaptcha var captchaPublicKey = "6LfLJbIZAAAAALESCE4xE6U0FQlJka6tvYYIUoEE"; var captchaerrorId = "captcha_error" /* reCaptcha end*/ var probFormsubmitted = 0; var btnClearEn = 'Clear'; var btnClearFr = 'Vider'; var btnSubmitEn = 'Submit'; var btnSubmitFr = 'Soumettre'; var selectId = "problemOptionsGroup"; var problemlisterrorId = "problemsform_error"; var errorOpeningTagsProblemForm = '<div class="form-group checkbox-wells" id="' + problemlisterrorId + '"><strong class="error"><span class="label label-danger"><span class="prefix"> </span>'; var errorClosingTagsProblemForm = '</span></strong></div>'; var isCustomValidated; var reportAProblemSubmitButtonIdSuffix = "StartNextButtonReportProblem"; function displayConfirmation(){ $('.gc-rprt-prblm-frm').addClass('hide'); $('.gc-rprt-prblm-thnk').removeClass('hide'); $("input[id$='StartNextButtonReportProblem']").addClass('hide'); } $.fn.exists = function () { return this.length !== 0; } function reportProblemOpen() { displayConfirmation(); $('#reportProblem').attr("open", "open"); } function reportProblemOpenAndScroll() { displayConfirmation(); $('#reportProblem').attr("open", "open"); setTimeout(scrollReportProbSection, 600); } function scrollReportProbSection() { $('#s4-workspace').scrollTop($("#reportProblem").offset().top); } var reportProblemPerformCustomValidation = function () { probFormsubmitted = 1; isCustomValidated = false; $textareaIdSuffix = "txtOther"; if (!$('#' + selectId + ' input[type=checkbox]:checked').length && !$("[id*='"+$textareaIdSuffix+"']").val().length) { isCustomValidated = false; if (!$('#' + problemlisterrorId).exists()) { $(errorOpeningTagsProblemForm + $.validator.messages['required'] + errorClosingTagsProblemForm).prependTo($('#'+selectId)); } } else { isCustomValidated = true; if ($('#' + problemlisterrorId).exists()) { $('#' + problemlisterrorId).remove(); } } return isCustomValidated; }; function registerEvents(){ $('.gc-rprt-prblm input[type=checkbox]').on('click', function (event) { if (probFormsubmitted == 1) { reportProblemPerformCustomValidation(); } }); $('.gc-rprt-prblm textarea').bind('input propertychange', function () { if (probFormsubmitted == 1) { reportProblemPerformCustomValidation(); } }); $('.gc-rprt-prblm textarea').on('blur', function (event) { if (probFormsubmitted == 1) { reportProblemPerformCustomValidation(); } }); } var displayError = function () { if (!$('#' + captchaerrorId).exists()) { $(errorOpeningTagsProblemForm + $.validator.messages['required'] + errorClosingTagsProblemForm).prependTo($('#captcha_err_msg')); } }; var removeError = function () { if ($('#' + captchaerrorId).exists()) { $('#' + captchaerrorId).remove() } }; function validate(event,widgetId) { event.preventDefault(); var passedCustomValidation = false; var lastRecaptchaOnPageWidgetId = $(".g-recaptcha").length - 1; if (widgetId == lastRecaptchaOnPageWidgetId) { passedCustomValidation = reportProblemPerformCustomValidation(); } else { passedCustomValidation = wet4FormCustomValidation(); } if (!passedCustomValidation) { return (passedCustomValidation); } else { grecaptcha.execute(widgetId); } } function captchaValidated(token) { document.getElementById('ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_gReportaProblemRecaptchaResponse').value = token; $("input[id$='" + reportAProblemSubmitButtonIdSuffix + "']").click(); } var onloadCallback = function () { // Renders the HTML element with id 'recaptcha1' as a reCAPTCHA widget. // On successful captcha, calls the removeError function. $('.g-recaptcha').each(function(index, el) { var attributes = { 'sitekey' : captchaPublicKey, 'size' : $(el).data('size'), 'callback': $(el).data('callback'), 'badge': "botttomleft" }; $(el).data('recaptcha-widget-id', grecaptcha.render(el, attributes)); }); }; $(document).ready(function () { registerEvents(); onload(); $("input[id$='" + reportAProblemSubmitButtonIdSuffix + "']").on("click", function () { document.getElementById('ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_hdfFormSubIndicator').value = "ReportProblemSubmitted"; $(this).attr('disabled'); var $widgetId = $(this).parent().find('.g-recaptcha').data("recaptcha-widget-id"); if ($widgetId !== undefined) { validate(event, $widgetId); var response = grecaptcha.getResponse($widgetId); if (!(response.length == 0)) return; } else { return reportProblemPerformCustomValidation(); } }); }); </script> <script type="text/javascript" src='https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?onload=onloadCallback&hl=en&render=explicit' async></script> <details class="brdr-0 col-sm-6 col-lg-4 mrgn-tp-sm" id="reportProblem"> <summary class="btn btn-default text-center report-problem">Report a problem or mistake on this page </summary> <div class="clearfix"></div> <div class="well row"> <div class="wb-frmvld"> <div class="gc-rprt-prblm"> <div class="gc-rprt-prblm-frm gc-rprt-prblm-tggl"> <p class="mrgn-bttm-md">This form is to be used only to report technical issues or errors encountered on our website. As <strong>submissions are anonymous</strong>, the IRB will not respond.</p> <fieldset> <div class="from-group" id="problemOptionsGroup"> <legend> <span class="field-name"> Please select all that apply:</span> </legend> <div class="checkbox"> <label for="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_problem1" id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_lblProblem1"><input name="ctl00$WETReportProblem$wzd$problem1" type="checkbox" id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_problem1" data-reveal="#broken" value="Yes" />Something is broken</label> <input type="hidden" name="problem1" value="No" /> </div> <div class="checkbox"> <label for="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_problem2" id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_lblProblem2"><input name="ctl00$WETReportProblem$wzd$problem2" type="checkbox" id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_problem2" data-reveal="#spelling" value="Yes" />It has a spelling or grammar mistake</label> <input type="hidden" name="problem2" value="No" /> </div> <div class="checkbox"> <label for="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_problem3" id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_lblProblem3"><input name="ctl00$WETReportProblem$wzd$problem3" type="checkbox" id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_problem3" data-reveal="#wrong" value="Yes" />The information is wrong/outdated</label> <input type="hidden" name="problem3" value="No" /> </div> </div> <label for="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_txtOther" class="field-name">Other/Additional details</label> <textarea name="ctl00$WETReportProblem$wzd$txtOther" id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_txtOther" class="form-control full-width verticalresizeonly" maxlength="500" type="text" rows="2"></textarea> <input type="hidden" name="problem5" value="No" /> <input type="hidden" name="ctl00$WETReportProblem$wzd$hdfFormSubIndicator" id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_hdfFormSubIndicator" />    <div class="span-col-100 wb-inv"> <label id="Label1" style="display: none;" for="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_txForElements1"> Please leave these next two fields empty.</label> <textarea name="ctl00$WETReportProblem$wzd$txForElements1" rows="3" cols="20" id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_txForElements1" class="hidden" style="width:400px;"> </textarea> <input name="ctl00$WETReportProblem$wzd$txForElements2" type="text" id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_txForElements2" style="display: none;" />     <input type="hidden" name="ctl00$WETReportProblem$wzd$hdForElements3" id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_hdForElements3" value="NQA6ADEAMAA6ADAANAAgAFAATQA=" /> </div> </fieldset> </div> <div id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_confirmationMessage" class="gc-rprt-prblm-thnk gc-rprt-prblm-tggl hide"> <h3>Thank you for your help!</h3><p>You will not receive a reply. For enquiries, <a href="https://irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/contact/Pages/index.aspx" >contact us</a>.</p> </div> </div> <input type="hidden" name="ctl00$WETReportProblem$wzd$gReportaProblemRecaptchaResponse" id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_gReportaProblemRecaptchaResponse" /> <div class="g-recaptcha" data-callback="captchaValidated" data-size="invisible"></div> <input type="submit" name="ctl00$WETReportProblem$wzd$StartNextButtonReportProblem" value="Submit" onclick="javascript:WebForm_DoPostBackWithOptions(new WebForm_PostBackOptions("ctl00$WETReportProblem$wzd$StartNextButtonReportProblem", "", true, "", "", false, false))" id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_StartNextButtonReportProblem" class="btn btn-primary inputButton" formnovalidate="formnovalidate" /> </div> </div> <div id="captcha_err_msg"></div>  <br/>  <input type="hidden" name="ctl00$WETReportProblem$wzd$hfldRecaptchaResponse" id="ctl00_WETReportProblem_wzd_hfldRecaptchaResponse" /> </details> <div class="col-sm-3 mrgn-tp-sm pull-right" id="sharePage"> <div class="wb-share" data-wb-share='{"lnkClass": "btn btn-default btn-block"}'></div> </div> <div class="datemod col-xs-12 mrgn-tp-lg"> <dl id="wb-dtmd" class="s4-notdlg"> <dt>Date modified:</dt> <dd><time property="dateModified">2024-11-15</time></dd> </dl> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="global-footer s4-notdlg noindex"> <footer class="override-footer" role="contentinfo" id="wb-info"> <nav role="navigation" class="container"> <h2>About this site</h2> <section class="col-sm-3"><h3>About us</h3><ul class="list-unstyled"><li><a href="/en/board/Pages/index.aspx">About the Board</a></li><li><a href="/en/transparency/accessibility/pages/index.aspx">Accessibility</a></li><li><a href="/en/jobs/Pages/index.aspx">Careers at the IRB</a></li><li><a href="/en/members/Pages/index.aspx">Members</a></li><li><a href="/en/transparency/proactive-disclosure/pages/index.aspx">Proactive disclosure</a></li></ul></section><section class="col-sm-3"><h3>Publications</h3><ul class="list-unstyled"><li><a href="/en/transparency/counsel-conduct/pages/index.aspx">Counsel conduct</a></li><li><a href="/en/country-information/Pages/index.aspx">Country of Origin information</a></li><li><a href="/en/forms/Pages/index.aspx">Forms</a></li><li><a href="/en/transparency/member-conduct/Pages/index.aspx">Member complaints reports</a></li><li><a href="https://open.canada.ca/en/search/ati?ati%5B0%5D=ati_organization_en%3AImmigration%20and%20Refugee%20Board%20of%20Canada">Open Government portal</a></li><li><a href="/en/transparency/reviews-audit-evaluations/Pages/index.aspx">Program and policy reviews</a></li><li><a href="/en/reports-publications/Pages/index.aspx">Reports and publications</a></li></ul></section><section class="col-sm-3"><h3>Resources</h3><ul class="list-unstyled"><li><a href="/en/legal-policy/act-rules-regulations/Pages/index.aspx">Acts, rules and regulations</a></li><li><a href="/en/legal-policy/policies/Pages/chairperson-guideline.aspx">Chairperson's guidelines</a></li><li><a href="/en/decisions/Pages/index.aspx">Decisions</a></li><li><a href="/en/legal-policy/legal-concepts/Pages/index.aspx">Legal resources</a></li><li><a href="/en/legal-policy/policies/Pages/index.aspx">Policy instruments</a></li><li><a href="/en/legal-policy/procedures/pages/index.aspx">Procedures and practice notices</a></li><li><a href="/en/statistics/Pages/index.aspx">Statistics</a></li></ul></section><section class="col-sm-3"><h3>Stay connected</h3><ul class="list-unstyled"><li><a href="/en/contact/Pages/index.aspx">Contact us</a></li><li><a href="/en/faq/Pages/index.aspx">Frequently asked questions</a></li><li><a href="/en/news/Pages/index.aspx">News</a></li></ul></section><section class="col-sm-3"><h3>Follow us</h3><ul class="list-unstyled"><li><a href="https://twitter.com/IRB_Canada"><img class="logo-bottom" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/assets/Twitter.svg"><span class="wb-inv">Twitter</span></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/IRBCanada"><img class="logo-bottom" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/assets/Facebook.svg"><span class="wb-inv">Facebook</span></a><a href="https://ca.linkedin.com/company/irb-cisr"><img class="logo-bottom" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/assets/linkedin.svg"><span class="wb-inv">LinkedIn</span></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYoiGrja0ZwLNhzhqjgZIEw" ><img class="logo-bottom" src="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/assets/Youtube.svg"><span class="wb-inv">Youtube</span></a></li></ul></section> </nav> <div class="brand"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <nav class="col-md-10 ftr-urlt-lnk"> <h2 class="wb-inv noindex">About this site</h2> <ul> <li class="noindex"><a href="https://irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/transparency">Transparency</a></li> <li class="noindex"><a href="https://irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/terms-conditions">Terms and conditions</a></li> </ul> </nav> <div class="col-xs-6 visible-sm visible-xs tofpg"> <a class="gl-footer" href="#wb-cont"> <span>Top of Page</span> <span class="fas fa-chevron-up"></span></a> </div> <div class="col-xs-6 col-md-2 text-right"> <object tabindex="-1" role="img" data="/_layouts/15/IRB.WET4/theme-gcwu-fegc/assets/wmms-blk.svg" type="image/svg+xml" aria-label="Canada"><p>Canada</p></object> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div>  </div> </div> <div class="aspNetHidden"> <input type="hidden" name="__VIEWSTATEGENERATOR" id="__VIEWSTATEGENERATOR" value="5A014C36" /> <input type="hidden" name="__EVENTVALIDATION" id="__EVENTVALIDATION" value="/wEdAA7lu2I8n6sA59ZAx3uY8+Mitu1zcG/L2Fz6zPR1W/Ejug2IPpFLNEfx7EboV/8kyln+/0ay9TPIuIO8klWGJC0kU1E+imQoxHuLvWMsNFGQ9Q4iYf/xcUaEVkCj1LlkwESzbAwCgnOEtp9CUsD480YIxtdR40NumgN+EyqJJpWBVNtjhYhSvvRUsMrvVFl/iEJ9kqYKgy3NcD/THM4SiyTCozrJUiltV7PQ1Q1Ie0yj6eQh8dnXZGl5lF033BVcaQrS/tUQz6gv343ZLS6bWLNRwc50Uyz/01n6uTKiZaSxnRp1cSue6k4pxeNCKmbf/UARzaXucIW9FUzj2W94HUil" /> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var _spFormDigestRefreshInterval = 1440000; IsSPSocialSwitchEnabled = function() { return true; };var _fV4UI = true; function _RegisterWebPartPageCUI() { var initInfo = {editable: false,isEditMode: false,allowWebPartAdder: false,listId: "{5820d208-bac1-48e5-a09f-783e3e10bdc4}",itemId: 2,recycleBinEnabled: true,enableMinorVersioning: true,enableModeration: true,forceCheckout: true,rootFolderUrl: "\u002fen\u002fapplying-refugee-protection\u002fPages",itemPermissions:{High:16,Low:196673}}; SP.Ribbon.WebPartComponent.registerWithPageManager(initInfo); var wpcomp = SP.Ribbon.WebPartComponent.get_instance(); var hid; hid = document.getElementById("_wpSelected"); if (hid != null) { var wpid = hid.value; if (wpid.length > 0) { var zc = document.getElementById(wpid); if (zc != null) wpcomp.selectWebPart(zc, false); } } hid = document.getElementById("_wzSelected"); if (hid != null) { var wzid = hid.value; if (wzid.length > 0) { wpcomp.selectWebPartZone(null, wzid); } } }; function __RegisterWebPartPageCUI() { ExecuteOrDelayUntilScriptLoaded(_RegisterWebPartPageCUI, "sp.ribbon.js");} _spBodyOnLoadFunctionNames.push("__RegisterWebPartPageCUI");var __wpmExportWarning='This Web Part Page has been personalized. As a result, one or more Web Part properties may contain confidential information. Make sure the properties contain information that is safe for others to read. After exporting this Web Part, view properties in the Web Part description file (.WebPart) by using a text editor such as Microsoft Notepad.';var __wpmCloseProviderWarning='You are about to close this Web Part. It is currently providing data to other Web Parts, and these connections will be deleted if this Web Part is closed. To close this Web Part, click OK. To keep this Web Part, click Cancel.';var __wpmDeleteWarning='You are about to permanently delete this Web Part. Are you sure you want to do this? To delete this Web Part, click OK. To keep this Web Part, click Cancel.';//]]> </script> </form>    </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Claiming refugee protection - 1. Making a claim - Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada