Canada’s efforts to support refugee protection and integration

A protected person is someone who has applied for refugee protection status while in Canada and whom the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) has determined to be a Convention refugee or in need of protection in Canada. In making its decisions, the IRB takes into account whether an individual has a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, political opinion, nationality or membership in a particular social group, or is at risk of torture or punishment.

Protected persons in Canada

A protected person is someone who has applied for refugee protection status while in Canada and whom the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) has determined to be a Convention refugee or in need of protection in Canada. In making its decisions, the IRB takes into account whether an individual has a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, political opinion, nationality or membership in a particular social group, or is at risk of torture or punishment.

Protected persons are able to apply to become a permanent resident and include in their application their spouse or partner and dependent children in Canada or abroad.

Protected persons in Canada have already undergone comprehensive security screening as part of the asylum claim process. However, in order for applicants to be granted permanent residence, all of the following requirements still need to be met:

• permanent resident application is complete
• applicants meet existing admissibility requirements, including those related to criminality, security and health
• applicants’ identity and status as a protected person have been confirmed

Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program

Private sponsors play an important role in facilitating the integration of newly arrived refugees. Their support improves refugee outcomes and benefits the communities these refugees now call home. With the number of privately sponsored refugees resettled annually having quadrupled since 2011, the capacity of sponsors and communities in Canada has been stretched. That is why Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will provide up to $3 million to 9 organizations over the next 2 years to support them so that they can better support resettled refugees.