Start a claim online
Claiming asylum isn’t a shortcut to help you stay in Canada longer.
If Canada decides you don’t need protection, you need to leave the country.
If you lie on your claim, you could be banned from returning.
If you are inside Canada, you need to use the IRCC Portal to submit an asylum claim online.
If you can’t submit your claim online
You can ask to submit your claim on paper if you can’t submit online for accessibility reasons.
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Prepare your documents
Get a scanner or camera ready to make copies of your documents.
You and each family member claiming asylum must:
- complete the Basis of Claim (BOC) form(opens in a new tab)
- Use the Claimant’s Guide(opens in a new tab) to help you.
- make a copy of your passport, travel document or other identification document
If someone is helping you make your claim, you must complete and sign the Use of a Representative form.
Optional documents
These documents aren’t required, but may help support your claim:
- identity documents
- proof of entry to Canada
- Green Card
- U.S. non-immigrant visa
- proof of membership in political organizations, unions or other groups
- police certificate
- certification of conviction
- any other document that could support your claim
- proof of ill treatment, desecration or looting you witnessed or took part in
- news articles and human rights reports on country conditions
- an explanation of any difficulties you had in submitting or providing information in the Portal
- complete the Basis of Claim (BOC) form(opens in a new tab)
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Create an IRCC Portal account
You can use 1 account to claim asylum for you and your family.
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Complete and submit your claim
Once you sign into your IRCC Portal account, choose “Make a new refugee claim or continue a claim made to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).”
We’ll ask you to:
- enter information about yourself and any family members claiming asylum with you
- answer some questions about your situation
- Answer all questions truthfully. It’s a serious offence to lie on your application.
- upload supporting documents, depending on your situation
If you need help completing your claim online, use the application guide.
If you’re having technical issues
If you’re having technical issues applying, contact us using the web form (opens in a new tab).
- Select your problem.
- Under Tell us about yourself:
- If you don’t have a unique client identifier number, enter 1111111111.
- If you haven’t submitted an application yet, and don’t have an application number, enter 0000000.
- Under Tell us about your technical issue:
- Specify the program you’re trying to apply under.
- Explain any problems that you’re having.
- Upload screenshots from your account that show us both
- the page and fields where you’re having problems, and
- any error messages you’re getting.