Start a claim online

If you are inside Canada, you will need to use the IRCC Portal to submit a refugee (asylum) claim online.

The process is different for persons making a claim at a Canadian port of entry.

Before starting your claim, make sure you have a scanner or camera ready to create electronic copies of your documents.

If you can’t submit your claim online

You may be able to submit your claim another way. Find out what to do if you can’t submit your claim online.

There are three steps to completing a refugee (asylum) claim online.

1. Prepare your documents

   You and every member of your family who is claiming asylum need to prepare some documents.

   You will be asked to provide:

   • a complete copy of the IRB’s Basis of Claim (BOC) form
     • you can use the IRB’s Claimant's Guide to help you complete this form
   • a copy of your passport, travel document or other identification document
   • a Use of a Representative form (if you use a representative)

   Optional documents:

   You can provide other documents in support of your claim, including:

   • Identity documents
   • Proof of your arrival and entry to Canada
   • Proof of membership in political organizations, unions, or other groups
   • Police or medical reports
   • Business records
   • Proof of ill treatment, desecration, or looting
   • Any other documents that could support your claim for refugee protection
   • An explanation of any difficulties you had in submitting or providing information in the Portal

2. Create an IRCC Portal account

   You can use one account to start a refugee (asylum) claim for you and all of your family members.

   To create an IRCC Portal account you must:

   1. Get an invitation code

      If it’s your first time using the IRCC Portal, visit the website to create an account. We’ll ask for your email address and send you an invitation code that you will need to sign up.

   2. Sign up for a Portal account with your invitation code

      After we send you your invitation code, use it to create your Portal account.

3. Complete your refugee claim application

   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)”

   If your family members are making claims with you, you will be able to add them and make a separate claim for each of them (and submit them all together).

   Answer all the questions you see for you and your family members. If you need help completing your claim online, use the application guide. When you’re done, you’ll get a list of documents to upload.

   You’ll also be able to upload copies of other documents to support your claim.