Claiming Asylum in Canada
Asylum is another word for protection, and “claiming asylum” means asking for refugee protection.
Canada’s asylum system helps people who have fled their countries because of a well-founded fear of persecution. This means that some people may be able to ask for refugee protection if returning to their home country puts them at risk.
Claiming asylum doesn’t guarantee you can stay in Canada. It isn’t a shortcut to get around immigration rules and procedures. Find out what you need to know before you make a life-changing decision.
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Who can ask for refugee protection
You may be able to ask for refugee protection if you can prove that returning to your home country will mean a danger of torture, a risk to your life, or a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.
A refugee is different from an immigrant. An immigrant chooses to settle permanently in another country. Refugees are forced to flee for their safety.
Canada’s asylum system
Get the facts about Canada’s asylum system before you put your life at risk.
- Using the asylum system is not a way to fast-track your immigration to Canada.
- We do not automatically accept asylum claims.
- Asylum claimants are subject to rigorous screening.
- No one can guarantee your asylum claim will be approved. If it’s denied, you will be removed from Canada.
- Wanting a stable job or a better education for your children is not a reason to claim asylum.
If we find that you don’t need Canada’s protection, you’ll be removed from Canada.
Know the risks
Don’t trust situations where someone asks for payment to bring you to Canada. They could be dangerous and may put your life at risk.
Beware of people who provide false or misleading information about claiming asylum in Canada. Asylum claims are not automatically accepted and no one can guarantee your asylum claim will be approved.
Don’t take risks based on someone’s false promises and lies.
Making a false asylum claim can have serious consequences:
- You could be banned from returning to Canada.
- Your family might not be able to come to Canada in the future.
You must enter Canada at a land border, airport or seaport. Crossing into Canada anywhere other than an official entry point can be very risky and dangerous, and is against the law.
Claiming asylum
It is a rigorous process to determine whether you have a legitimate need for refugee protection according to Canadian and international laws. Our rules-based system will determine the validity of your claim. It’s important to understand that not all claims will be accepted.
If you make an asylum claim in Canada, you will need to
- have health, criminal, security and other background checks
- get a medical exam
- provide personal and biometric (photo and fingerprints) information
- provide concrete evidence of persecution and the risks of being in your home country
- declare on your application if you are working with a representative, even if you’re not paying them
Providing false information on your refugee claim application is considered lying, and your application may be refused.
If you enter Canada from the United States (US), you are not eligible to make a refugee claim and will be returned to the US. Under the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) between Canada and the US, you must apply for asylum in the first country you enter; you can’t cross into the other country to make a claim.
You’ll be removed from Canada if you don’t have a legitimate claim or are not eligible to make a claim in Canada. It can take a long time to get a final decision on your asylum claim. There’s no guarantee that you will be allowed to stay in Canada.
Learn about other immigration pathways
There are different, legal ways you can come to Canada to live(opens in a new tab) , work(opens in a new tab) or study(opens in a new tab) . Stay informed.