Claiming Refugee Status in Canada: What You Need to Know

There are private individuals and organizations who may be providing false or misleading information on claiming asylum in Canada. There are specific requirements to be considered a refugee. If you do not meet them, you will be asked to leave or be removed.

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Transcript: “Claiming Refugee Status in Canada: What You Need to Know”
Video length: 2:07 minutes

A man speaks in front of a screen showing a map of Canada along with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship corporate signature and the text displaying: “Canada.ca/asylum”.

NARRATOR: Canada is an open and welcoming country to refugees.

But making a refugee claim is not a free ticket into Canada.

The refugee system isn't for those seeking a better economic life. It’s there to provide protection to those who can prove that they would face persecution or threat to their life in their home country.

Crossing the U.S. border into Canada between ports of entry is against the law and you will be arrested. You will undergo medical, security and criminality checks.

Crossing the border in this way is also dangerous and may put you and your family at risk.

When you make a refugee claim, you will face a rigorous process to determine whether or not you are in need of refugee protection.

There are very specific requirements to be considered a refugee. Not having Temporary Protected Status in the U.S., or losing that status, is not grounds for a refugee claim.  

And Canada does not have any special program for people with Temporary Protected Status.

If your refugee claim is rejected, you may not be able to return to the United States.  And most importantly, you will most likely be sent to your country of origin.

Before you put the life you built at risk, learn the facts about Canada’s refugee system by visiting our website.

Text displays against a grey background: “Canada.ca/asylum”

NARRATOR: For information Canada’s asylum system visit: Canada.ca/asylum

A man speaks in front of a screen showing a map of Canada along with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship corporate signature and the text: “Canada.ca/asylum”

NARRATOR: Canada is a country of immigrants and we value orderly and managed immigration. Visit our website to learn about opportunities to come to Canada in a safe and legal way.

Text displays against a grey background: “Canada.ca/immigration”

NARRATOR: For information on ways to visit, study, work: visit Canada.ca/immigration.

This is a message from the Government of Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada corporate signature along with the copyright message: “Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 2017” is shown.

Canada wordmark is shown on a white background.