Refugee and Humanitarian

Claimants have two options to choose from where to apply for a refugee status: at the point of entry (airport, seaport or land border) or at designated CIC offices. In order to apply, claimants have to provide information about their background,  family, and the reason why they want to make a claim for refugee protection. 

If a claimant is eligible to make a refugee claim, he/she will have to attend a hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).

An independent administrative tribunal also known as Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) makes decisions if the claimant is a genuine refugee and deserves protection in Canada. 

In general, refugee claims are heard by the IRB within 60 days. For people who come from a designated country of origin, asylum claims are processed faster.

Canada offers permanent residency on humanitarian and compassionate grounds to foreign nationals who will face extreme difficulties and hardship associated with emotional and physical distress if they return to their country of origin.

To be eligible under the Humanitarian and Compassionate Category (H&C), you need to provide information and documentation to support your application. 

H&C is granted to applicants with exceptional circumstances. 

Applications under the H&C category are assessed based on an individual’s family ties to Canada, the welfare of the dependents, life threatening circumstances, and adaptability in Canada. 

However, there is no assurance that your application will be cleared. You have a right to apply to the  Federal Court of Canada if your application is rejected.