Refugee protection (asylum) in Canada
You can ask Canada for refugee protection if it’s unsafe for you to return to your home country. Asking for refugee protection is also called claiming asylum.
Claiming asylum isn’t a shortcut to help you immigrate to Canada or stay here 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 return to your country of persecution you risk:
- having your claim rejected (if your claim is still being processed)
- losing your protected person status (after Canada has given you refugee protection)
Claiming asylum from within Canada
You may be able to make a claim for refugee protection if you are already in Canada.
Claiming asylum at the border
You may be able to make a claim for refugee protection at any port of entry when you arrive in Canada. A port of entry is an airport, seaport or land border, and is considered to be located in Canada.
Refugees resettled from outside of Canada
Refugee resettlement
Refugee resettlement is a program for people who are outside of Canada and are referred to move to Canada as refugees by the United Nations Refugee Agency, a designated referral organization or a private sponsor.
You can’t apply to be moved to Canada as a refugee unless you are referred.