Asylum claimants processed by year
About this data
This data should not be used as an indication of the number of asylum claimants presently residing in a province or territory. The table pulls data on number of asylum claimants who have submitted a valid claim by year and province of claim. The data may include individuals who have claimed asylum and since obtained a referral to the IRB, have become protected persons (as defined by the IRB), or have since become a permanent resident in the year in which their asylum claim was made.
Given the number of border interceptions currently being processed, there is a delay in asylum claimant application information appearing in our system. As determinations are made that those crossing the border are eligible to make an asylum claim, that information is entered into our system and is reflected in the asylum data that is published monthly to our website. Application information is backdated, as appropriate, as it is entered into the system.
Therefore, the data posted to the IRCC website is considered preliminary and subject to change. Updated data for previous months is published to our website on a monthly basis as it becomes available and according to the monthly data release schedule.
Key figures on asylum claims made in Canada
Individuals can make an asylum claim upon arrival at a port of entry in Canada or online if they’re already in Canada. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officials will then determine if an individual is eligible to make an asylum claim.
If the claimant is determined to be eligible, it will be referred to the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) for a hearing. In making its decisions, the IRB considers whether the claimant meets the United Nations definition of a Convention refugee, which has been adopted into Canadian law, or is a person in need of protection. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, every person who wants to enter Canada must appear for an examination at a port of entry in order for government officials to determine whether that person has a right to enter Canada, or if the individual may become authorized to enter and remain in Canada.
The CBSA and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) play a key role in protecting Canada’s border. They deter and intercept illegal entry to Canada and keep Canadians safe. CBSA, the RCMP and their domestic and international partners work together to intercept individuals who enter Canada illegally. No enforcement actions are taken against people seeking asylum as per section 133 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The RCMP is responsible for border security in between ports of entry. The CBSA is responsible for border security at ports of entry and inland.
IRCC’s role in this process is to develop and implement policies, programs and services that facilitate the legitimate arrival of people and their integration into Canada in a way that maximizes their contribution to the country, while protecting the health, safety and security of Canadians.
Backgrounder: Claiming asylum in Canada – what happens?
Refugee protection claims statistics (Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada)
Find asylum claims by year
All data provided below is preliminary and subject to change. Updates will be provided on a monthly basis.
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