What to expect at the border
Claiming asylum isn’t a shortcut to help you stay in Canada 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.
To start a claim at the border, you must tell the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer you would like to claim asylum.
1. Prove your identity
You and every member of your family who is claiming asylum will be asked to provide:
- original passports and travel documents
- any other identification documents you may have
You will receive certified copies of your documents.
Your travel documents will be held by the CBSA until a final decision is made on your claim.
If you don’t have any documents to identify you, you may be detained until your identity is verified.
2. Give your biometrics
The CBSA will collect your biometrics. This means they will take scans of your fingerprints (for people over 14 years of age) and photographs of you and every member of your family.
3. Complete your interview
A CBSA officer will interview you to make sure your claim meets the eligibility requirements. They will ask you:
- about your background
- why you came to Canada
- what dangers you face in your home country
4. After your interview
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)
If your claim is eligible
If your claim is eligible, CBSA will give you a Confirmation of Referral and Notice to Appear letter that confirms your claim was sent to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).
The IRB will schedule a hearing and make a decision on your claim.
You will be allowed into Canada and given:
- instructions on how to:
- fill out and submit a complete copy of the IRB’s Basis of Claim form
- complete your immigration medical examination and a medical report form (IMM 1017E)
- a refugee protection identity document (RPID), which confirms who you are and that you are waiting for a decision on your asylum claim
- certified copies of your identity and travel documents being held by the CBSA
- copies of any forms you filled out while with the CBSA
- notes from your interview that were sent to the IRB
- an information package providing key information related to your claim
- This package includes:
- the Information for Refugee Claimants pamphlet
- the Interim Federal Health Program pamphlet
- This package includes:
If you are asked to complete your claim online
If the CBSA tells you to complete your asylum claim application online, you will get instructions on how to complete your claim online.
If you are asked to come back for your interview
In some circumstances, a CBSA border services officer may ask you to come back to complete your claim at a later date.
If this happens, you will be given an appointment date and will be allowed to enter Canada while you wait. You will be given instructions on how to complete your claim online. You will be given a document called an acknowledgement of claim instead of the RPID.
If your claim is ineligible
Your claim will not be sent to the IRB. The CBSA will begin the removal process. If you fear returning to your country, you may be eligible for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA).